Naoki Kimata

Naoki Kimata is an Assistant Professor (non-tenure-track) in the Graduate School of Advanced Science and Engineering at Waseda University, where he has been employed since September 2024. His research focuses on photoreceptor biochemistry and G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) activation mechanisms, particularly investigating structural changes in rhodopsin using advanced spectroscopic techniques.

Kimata's research explores fundamental mechanisms in photobiology and cellular signaling, with specific interests in:

• Structural dynamics of rhodopsin activation pathways
• GPCR signal transduction mechanisms
• Photoreceptor protein function (including OPN4)
• Solid-state NMR applications in membrane protein studies
• Retinal chromophore interactions

His publication record demonstrates consistent focus on rhodopsin activation mechanisms using structural biology approaches, particularly solid-state NMR spectroscopy to analyze conformational changes in G protein-coupled receptors. Recent work investigates non-visual light response systems in retinal ganglion cells.

Kimata has secured multiple competitive grants including:

• JSPS Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (2022-2025): Analysis of non-visual photoresponse mechanisms
• JSPS Early-Career Scientists Grant (2019-2022): OPN4 photoreceptor activation mechanisms
• JSPS Research Activity Start-up Grant (2018-2020)

He teaches undergraduate laboratory courses and graduate seminars in molecular biosciences, and supervises thesis projects in biological sciences.