Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tetsuji Tanaka - Food Economics - Best Researcher Award

Meiji Gakuin University - Japan

Author Profile

🎓 Early academic pursuits

Tetsuji Tanaka began his academic journey with a dual undergraduate foundation, earning a bsc in economics from the university of tsukuba in 2002 and a bsc in management and information sciences from jobu university in 2000. he then pursued a master's degree at the prestigious university of tokyo, completing an msc in environmental economics with a minor in development and agricultural economics in 2005, achieving a perfect gpa of 4.0. his passion for sustainable development and risk modeling led him to the school of oriental and african studies (soas), university of london, where he was awarded a ph.d. in finance and management in 2012. his doctoral research, titled "risk assessment of food supply: a computable general equilibrium approach," laid the foundation for his expertise in economic modeling and systems-level analysis.

🧑‍🏫 Professional endeavors

Over the past two decades, tanaka has accumulated a diverse and international portfolio of academic and advisory roles. he currently serves as an associate professor in the department of economics at meiji gakuin university, japan. prior to this, he held a similar role at setsunan university from 2017 to 2023. internationally, he worked as a research associate at the university of maryland college park in the u.s. and as a research fellow at the university of aberdeen in the u.k. from 2012 to 2014. during his time in the u.k., he also served as a food policy advisor to the scottish government. his earlier roles include research and teaching positions at the university of tokyo, the national graduate institute for policy studies, and the mitsubishi research institute, highlighting his long-standing dedication to academia and policy-making.

🔬 Contributions and research focus

Tanaka's scholarly work emphasizes the intersections of food security, environmental economics, and global supply chain resilience. his use of computable general equilibrium (cge) models to assess food supply risk is particularly noteworthy, offering critical insights into the economic impacts of shocks on global food systems. he has explored how systemic disruptions—from Food Economics environmental disasters to geopolitical tensions—can propagate through economies and endanger public well-being. though rooted in economics, his work shares conceptual parallels with power electronics, especially in modeling system stability and response to external stimuli. his interdisciplinary approach is a hallmark of his academic contribution.

🌏 Impact and influence

Tanaka’s work has informed both academic and governmental decision-making, especially in food policy and supply chain risk management. as a food policy advisor to the scottish government, he contributed directly to shaping strategies that balanced health, economics, and sustainability. his collaborations with institutions in japan, the u.k., and the u.s. have positioned him as a Food Economics globally engaged scholar. his research continues to influence the design of policy frameworks that consider both macroeconomic conditions and environmental variables, much like how power electronics balances load demands and supply.

📚 Academic cites

His doctoral thesis remains a referenced work in the fields of food security modeling and environmental economics. tanaka's academic writings are cited in studies focusing on cge applications, food systems vulnerability, and global trade simulations. while he has not yet published a large volume of peer-reviewed articles under his name, his thesis and institutional reports hold value Food Economics for researchers working on energy-economy-environment linkages, supply chain economics, and even the control theories used in power electronics contexts.

🌱 Legacy and future contributions

Tanaka’s legacy lies in his systems-thinking approach to economics and his ability to bridge theory with policy. his background across multiple disciplines and continents equips him to guide the next generation of economists in tackling global challenges like climate risk, food insecurity, and resource allocation. in future research, tanaka may expand his work to integrate digital infrastructure and artificial intelligence—domains that, similar to power electronics, demand precision, adaptability, and interconnectivity. as sustainability and economic resilience become ever more critical, his contributions are likely to gain further relevance.

Notable Publications

Title: Energy-food interconnectedness in Africa: A dynamic analysis of price transmission and the roles of logistics efficiency and food self-sufficiency
Author(s): Not specified in your input (author names are missing)
Journal: Journal of Agriculture and Food Research, 2025
Title: Higher education students' perceptions of ChatGPT: A global study of early reactions
Author(s): Not specified in your input (author names are missing)
Journal: PLOS ONE, 2025

🌱 Early academic pursuits

Wu Penghao embarked on his academic journey at china agricultural university, earning a bachelor's degree in agronomy in 2007. driven by his passion for crop genetics and breeding, he continued his studies at the same institution and completed his ph.d. in crop genetics and breeding in 2014. his formative years laid a strong foundation in plant sciences and agricultural innovation, setting the stage for a career dedicated to advancing agricultural research.

👨‍🏫 Professional endeavors

Following his academic pursuits, wu penghao joined xinjiang agricultural university's college of agriculture in 2014 as a lecturer. his expertise and contributions saw him rise through the ranks to associate professor in 2016 and professor in 2020. he also enhanced his research experience through postdoctoral work at xinjiang agricultural university and cornell university, usa. as a leader in academia, wu continues to mentor the next generation of agricultural scientists while conducting groundbreaking research.

🌾 Contributions and research focus

Wu Penghao’s research primarily focuses on maize genetics and breeding. he has led multiple projects funded by the national natural science foundation of china, Crop Breeding including studies on genetic analysis, genome-wide prediction of natural doubling in maize haploids, and molecular mechanisms regulating grain filling. his work also extends to cotton fiber length trait development and maize haploid engineering breeding. his contributions are at the forefront of agricultural biotechnology, aiming to enhance crop productivity and sustainability.

🏆 Accolades and recognition

Over the years, wu penghao has secured significant research funding and recognition for his innovative contributions. as the chair of multiple high-impact projects, including the prestigious regional science foundation and joint fund projects, he has cemented his position as a leading figure in crop genetics. his role in the Crop Breeding ‘tianshan innovation team plan’ further showcases his dedication to advancing agricultural technologies in the xinjiang region.

🌍 Impact and influence

Wu Penghao’s work has made a profound impact on the fields of maize breeding and crop genetics. his development of genome-wide prediction models and Crop Breeding innovative breeding technologies addresses critical challenges in agriculture, from crop resilience to food security. his research findings not only advance scientific understanding but also provide practical solutions to farmers and policymakers, ensuring sustainable agricultural practices.

🧬 Legacy and future contributions

As a professor and seasoned researcher, wu penghao is committed to shaping the future of agricultural science. his ongoing projects, such as the study of maize bioinductive haploid mothers, exemplify his dedication to driving innovation in crop genetics. by mentoring young researchers and expanding the frontiers of maize and cotton genetics, wu is building a legacy that will inspire and influence agricultural advancements for generations to come.

Notable Publications

Title: Identification and fine mapping of a major QTL (qRtsc8-1) conferring resistance to maize tar spot complex and validation of production markers in breeding lines
Authors: Ren, J., Wu, P., Huestis, G.M., Chen, J., Zhang, X.
Journal: Theoretical and Applied Genetics, 2022, 135(5), pp. 1551–1563
Title: Genetic Dissection of Quantitative Resistance to Common Rust (Puccinia sorghi) in Tropical Maize (Zea mays L.) by Combined Genome-Wide Association Study, Linkage Mapping, and Genomic Prediction
Authors: Ren, J., Li, Z., Wu, P., San Vicente, F., Zhang, X.
Journal: Frontiers in Plant Science, 2021, 12, 692205
Title: Mapping of QTL and identification of candidate genes conferring spontaneous haploid genome doubling in maize (Zea mays L.)
Authors: Ren, J., A. Boerman, N., Liu, R., Chen, S., Lübberstedt, T.
Journal: Plant Science, 2020, 293, 110337
Title: Mapping of QTL for kernel abortion caused by in vivo haploid induction in maize (Zea mays L.)
Authors: Qu, Y., Wu, P., Ren, J., Li, H., Chen, S.
Journal: PLoS ONE, 2020, 15(2), e0228411
Title: Effects of cotton planting modes with machine picking on defoliation and fiber quality of different plant types
Authors: Li, J.-W., Wu, P.-H., Xiao, S.-W., Cui, J.-P., Zhang, J.-S.
Journal: Agricultural Research in the Arid Areas, 2019, 37(1), pp. 82–88