Our research group at the University of Tsukuba conducts extensive studies in astrophysics and computational science. In astrophysics, our projects encompass galaxy formation and evolution, the role of dark matter in structure formation, galaxy collisions, supermassive black hole activity, and the physical properties of galactic winds. More recently, we have also been investigating habitable zones within galaxies. While many of our studies rely on numerical simulations, we also perform analytical research using theoretical models and observational data analysis.

In addition, we frequently collaborate with observational researchers to promote integrated studies that combine theory and observation. In the field of computational science, our work includes developing high-performance hydrodynamic schemes, massively parallel computational algorithms, and GPU-accelerated methods. Recently, we have also applied machine learning techniques to advance astrophysical research.

Our research team has not only welcomed numerous undergraduate research students over the years but also provides early research guidance to students who have a strong desire to pursue astrophysics research, regardless of their academic year. If you are interested, please feel free to contact us.

At the University of Tsukuba, graduate school entrance examinations are held three times a year: a recommendation-based exam around July, and general entrance exams around August and February. We also actively welcome students from other universities.

In the Master's Programme, students acquire the knowledge and skills essential for research, while in the Doctoral Programme, they develop the ability to drive their own research forward. We also emphasize opportunities such as presenting at international conferences and participating in short-term research stays at overseas institutions.

In particular, for Ph.D. students, we provide robust support for research activities and career development through initiatives such as the University of Tsukuba Dual Degree Programme, student support projects, and the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) Research Fellowship, among other programs. To date, six students have earned their Ph.D. degrees from our group; of these, three have secured faculty positions at universities both in Japan and overseas, two have continued their research as postdoctoral fellows, and one has made significant contributions in industry at the forefront of technological innovation.

If you are interested in our research activities, we warmly invite you to visit our laboratory. Online interviews can also be arranged. Please feel free to contact us via email.

Masao Mori, University of Tsukuba

Masao Mori

Associate Professor, Ph.D.

• Center for Computational Sciences, University of Tsukuba
• Master's/Doctor's Program in Physics, University of Tsukuba
• Degree Programs in Education, The College of Education, University of Tsukuba

• Visiting Associate Professor at University of California,Los Angeles (Feb. 2005 - Mar. 2006)
• Visiting Researcher at Max-Planck Institute for Astronomy (Aug. 1998 - Aug. 1999)

Below is a list of my recent research papers, selected papers to date, and received research funding.

Recent publications

• "Splitting a Stellar Stream, Bridging Luminous and Dark Domains", Kaneda, Yuka; Mori, Masao; Miki, Yohei; Kirihara, Takanobu; Burkert, Andreas, submitted.


• "Simultaneous Formation of the Andromeda Giant Southern Stream and the Substructures in the Andromeda Halo", Yamaguchi, Misa; Mori, Masaoi; Kirihara, Takanobu; Miki, Yohei; Ogami, itsuki; Chiba, Masashi; Komiyama, Yutaka; Tanaka, Mikito, accepted for publication in Publications of the Astronomical Society of Japan [arXiv:2503.21217]


• "The structure of the stellar halo of the Andromeda galaxy explored with the NB515 for Subaru/HSC. I.: New Insights on the stellar halo up to 120 kpc", Ogami, Itsuki, et al., Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 536, 530 (2025) [MNRAS / arXiv:2401.00668]


• "Cosmological evolution of dark matter subhaloes under tidal stripping by growing Milky Way-like galaxies", Kazuno, Yudai; Mori, Masao; Kaneda, Yuka; Otaki, Koki, Publications of the Astronomical Society of Japan, 76, L39 (2024) [PASJ / arXiv:2410.22185]


• "A universal scaling relation incorporating the cusp-to-core transition of dark matter haloes", Kaneda, Yuka; Mori, Masao; Otaki, Koki., Publications of the Astronomical Society of Japan, 76, 1026 (2024) [PASJ / arXiv:2407.03614]


• "Novel hydrodynamic schemes capturing shocks and contact discontinuities and comparison study with existing methods", Yuasa, Takuhiro; Mori, Masao, New Astronomy,109,102208 (2024). [New Astronomy / arXiv:2312.03224v3]

FY2024

• Undergraduate Programs
• Introduction to modern physics: Spring AB, Mon. (Interdisciplinary Lecture Series: 6/10)
• General concept of astrophysics: Fall AB, Fri. 4
• Diploma thesis research advice
• Postgraduate Programmes
• Fundamental Physics 2: Fall AB, Mon. 3
• Special Research in Astrophysics
• Astrophycs Seminar
• Master thesis advice
• Doctor thesis advice
• Seminar
• Galaxy Seminar
• Mori's group Seminar