Tomoyo Hokibara serves as Associate Professor at Waseda University's School of Creative Science and Engineering, Faculty of Science and Engineering. Her academic journey began with undergraduate studies at Waseda University (2009-2013), followed by master's (2013-2015) and doctoral studies (2017-2020) at the Graduate School of Creative Science and Engineering. Current Position: Associate Professor, Waseda University (2025-Present) Previous Position: Faculty Member, Waseda University (2021-2025) Industry Experience: Design Department, Takenaka Corporation (2015-2021) Dr. Hokibara's research focuses on fire safety engineering for wooden structures, with particular expertise in developing fire-resistant wooden construction methods that maintain structural integrity during and after fires. Her pioneering work on the "sacrifice-layer concept" has revolutionized approaches to wooden fireproofing, enabling the development of self-extinguishing timber structures with 1-3 hour fire resistance ratings without excessive cross-sectional enlargement. She investigates thermal behavior of wood during fires, moisture transport in heated wood, fire safety in historical wooden buildings, and evacuation systems for vulnerable populations. Her publication record shows consistent output in top journals like Journal of Environmental Engineering (Transactions of AIJ) and presentations at major conferences including World Conference on Timber Engineering. Her research demonstrates a clear progression from fundamental studies on wood combustion to practical applications for high-rise wooden construction and historical building preservation. AIJ Young Researcher Award (2023) Multiple Academic Lectures Young Researcher Outstanding Presentation Awards (2015, 2018) Sanae Award from Waseda University (2015) Outstanding Graduation Thesis Award (2013) UIA2011 Tokyo Design Competition JIA Award (2011) Dr. Hokibara leads multiple research projects funded by JSPS and other institutions, focusing on fireproofing techniques for wooden structures, early fire detection in historical buildings, and predicting mechanical performance of fire-exposed wooden members. She serves on committees including the Japan Society of Fire Engineers and Architectural Institute of Japan subcommittees on fire resistance. Her architectural practice includes notable works like "Pale Veil" (2025) and "Ring on the Green" (2022), demonstrating the integration of her research with practical design.

