The research work on photocatalysis by Professor Ohtani started in 1981 when he was a Ph. D. course student in Kyoto University. Since then he has been studying photocatalysis and related topics for more than 30 years and published more than 290 original papers (h-index: 67) and two single-author books. After gaining his Ph. D. degree from Kyoto University in 1985, he became an assistant professor in the university. In 1996, he was promoted to an associate professor in Division of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Hokkaido University and was then awarded a full professor position in the Catalysis Research Center (presently Institute for Catalysis), Hokkaido University in 1998. For the education of graduate students, Professor Ohtani's laboratory has belonged to the Graduate School of Environmental Science, Hokkaido University since 1999. He was awarded 2005 Scientific Achievement Award of The Electrochemical Society of Japan, The Japanese Photochemistry Association Award 2006, Catalysis Society of Japan Award for 2013, The Japanese Photochemistry Association Lectureship Award (2017) and The Award of The Electrochemical Society of Japan (Takei Award), 2018.

Professional Appointments: 
Assistant Professor, Department of Hydrocarbon Chemistry, Kyoto University, February 16, 1985—March 31, 1996
Associate Professor, Division of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Hokkaido University, April 1, 1996—August 31, 1998
Professor, Catalysis Research Center (Institute for Catalysis from October 1, 2015), Hokkaido University, September 1, 1998—present
Professor, Division of Environmental Materials Science, Graduate School of Environmental Science, Hokkaido University, February 1, 1999—present (concurrently)

Awards:
2005 Scientific Achievement Award of The Electrochemical Society of Japan
The Japanese Photochemistry Association Award, 2006
Catalysis Society of Japan Award for 2013
The Japanese Photochemistry Association Lectureship Award 2017
The Award of The Electrochemical Society of Japan (Takei Award), 2018
Fellow, The Electrochemical Society of Japan, 2020

Plenary, Keynote and Invited Talks in International/Domestic Meetings
Academic year of 2015: 14, 2016: 25, 2017: 25, 2018: 28, 2019: 30, 2020: > 10 times

Publications:
More than 300 original papers in total (Web of Science). Hirsh index (h-index): 67.  Two single-authored books in Japanese

Selected publications