I am studying how the Earth's past environment was and what kind of climate change the Earth has experienced. Here, "past" includes the recent past to the deep time (throughout the Phanerozoic). Unlike today, there is no observational data from satellites or those with instruments in deep time on Earth. Therefore, we must investigate and reconstruct the Earth's past environment from geological materials (e.g., rocks, sediments, and fossils). For example, we can use rock/sediment/fossil types and their textures and chemical compositions as indicators of past environments. By collecting rocks and fossils at different geological ages from fields worldwide and analyzing their types, textures, and chemical compositions in laboratories, we can reconstruct past climate and ocean conditions (such as water temperature, pH, and ocean currents) from when observational data is unavailable. I aim to elucidate environmental changes on various time scales, which the Earth and its organisms have experienced through the Phanerozoic period, and to gain a deeper understanding of the fundamental mechanisms of climate change on this planet.

During my middle and high school years, I often heard the term "global warming." Through news and media, I had a vague interest in "climate change." However, I did not study earth science in high school and did not know which university department offered courses on climate change. Around that time, I picked up a book at the library and found a phrase that caught my eye: "To understand Earth's environment today and in the future, we need to understand its past." This phrase inspired me to major in Earth science.

During your student years, please find something you are passionate about, making you feel you are the best in the world!
The world is full of information from various media sources. You can easily find the information you want by searching for it with some keywords. However, even if AI technology continues to develop, you cannot find your interests, talents, and strengths by googling for them. You can only see something you really like by facing and understanding yourself, interacting with various people, learning a lot, and gaining experience. Aobayama is where world-leading researchers and inspiring colleagues gather to challenge cutting-edge research. There are many opportunities to find a subject you can be passionate about and to pursue academic interests that will fulfill your intellectual curiosity.