Dr. Marcy N. WILDER, Project Leader of the Fisheries Division, has been selected by the Association of Japanese Agricultural Scientific Societies to receive the 2023 Japan Prize of Agricultural Science / Yomiuri Prize of Agricultural Science.
The research achievement that was selected for the award is “Physiological and biochemical research on commercially-important shrimp species and applications to the development of new aquaculture technology”. This is the first time for a JIRCAS scientist to receive the prize since 2006 when former President IWANAGA Masa (currently JIRCAS advisor) was recognized for his research on “Genetic breeding research for conservation and utilization of plant genetic resources and international contributions”.
Dr. Wilder has been engaged in basic research on the mechanisms of shrimp reproduction, molting, and osmoregulation with the aim of contributing to a stable shrimp aquaculture industry. The results of this research have already been applied and commercialized to realize recirculating land-based shrimp production that does not impact the natural environment.
In terms of basic research, Dr. Wilder and her group have also elucidated the primary structure, synthetic sites and processing pathways of egg yolk protein (vitellogenin) for the first time in decapod crustaceans. In collaboration with Can Tho University in Vietnam, she was instrumental in developing stable seed production and aquaculture technology for freshwater prawns, and thus contributed to raising the standard of living of impoverished prawn-rice farmers in the Mekong Delta region. Finally, Dr. Wilder, in collaboration with the private sector, developed the innovative and environmentally-harmonized Indoor Shrimp Production System (ISPS), leading to the launching of Japan’s first commercial land-based shrimp production facility in 2007 (Myoko City, Niigata Prefecture) and a large-scale shrimp plant in 2022 (Iwata City, Shizuoka Prefecture) owned and operated by Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc.
Dr. Wilder's significant achievements in both the development of Japan's fisheries industry and international contributions has led to the awarding of this prize.
The award ceremony will be held on April 5, 2023, during the Annual Meeting of the Association of Japanese Agricultural Scientific Societies.
【Association of Japanese Agricultural Scientific Societies】
The Association of Japanese Agricultural Scientific Societies (AJASS) was established to contribute to the advancement of agricultural science and technology, and to develop comprehensive agricultural science research through cooperation of academic societies in various fields. The founding general meeting was held in November 1929, and the association began its activities in 1930.
【Japan Prize of Agricultural Science / Yomiuri Prize of Agricultural Science】
The “Agricultural Science Prize” had been awarded since 1925 as one of the programs of the Agricultural Science Society of Japan, the predecessor of the Association of Japanese Agricultural Scientific Societies (AJASS). In 1929, when AJASS was established, the awarding of the prize was also transferred to the AJASS, and in 1942, the name was changed to the “Japan Prize for Agricultural Science”. The bestowal of this prize has thus continued to this day, and is considered to be one of the highest accolades awarded to scientists engaging in agriculture, forestry and fisheries research in Japan. The “Yomiuri Prize for Agricultural Science” has been awarded jointly by the Yomiuri Shimbun (newspaper) since 1964. The recipients of the “Japan Prize of Agricultural Science” and the “Yomiuri Prize of Agricultural Science” are chosen by the Selection Committee of the Association during the association’s General Meeting every year in February.
Announcement in Japanese：http://www.ajass.jp/30_10.html
