Japanese Astronomical Society ex-president Shigeru Ida joins China’s Westlake University

Shigeru Ida, a leading theoretical astrophysicist and former president of the Astronomical Society of Japan, has joined Westlake University in Hangzhou, China. He will serve as a distinguished fellow in the Department of Astronomy at the university's school of science, effective April.

Ida brings more than four decades of experience in studying the origins and evolution of planets, a field that remains one of science's most profound mysteries. His expertise is widely recognized globally, making his move a significant addition to China's astronomical research community.

Reflecting on his career path in a 2023 address, Ida cited his early fascination with the cosmos, influenced by Stanley Kubrick's film "2001: A Space Odyssey" and Sakyo Komatsu's science fiction novel "The End of the Endless Flow." These influences shaped his academic trajectory and dedication to understanding the universe.

Ida's work at Westlake University is expected to contribute to ongoing research into the vast number of planets in the universe and the complex processes that govern their formation and development. His appointment underscores the university's commitment to advancing fundamental scientific inquiry.

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When I was a high school student struggling to decide my future academic path, what left a profound impact on me was [American filmmaker] Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey, which I skipped class to see alone at a cinema … and Sakyo Komatsu’s science fiction novel, The End of the Endless Flow.