HomeDate: 2025-12-10
Hi, I’m Makoto Shirakawa.
I joined Academia Sinica this September and am now part of IPMB. Before moving to Taiwan, I did research in Japan and Canada.
My work centers on plant developmental biology. I use genetics and imaging to figure out how transcription factors guide plant cells to become different specialized types. In the long run, I want to understand how these unique cell types emerged across various plant lineages and how those mechanisms evolved.
Since joining IPMB, I’ve also been hoping to help strengthen scientific exchange between Japan and Taiwan. Recently, I’ve been challenging myself to bring computational approaches—like structure prediction and big-scale transcriptome analysis—into my research.
Outside of work, I love going for runs or taking walks while checking out the cityscape. And on weekends, watching Japanese manga-based movies in the theater is one of my favorite ways to relax.
