Keiichi Ueda is a senior researcher for the zoological laboratory at the Okinawa Churashima Foundation Research Institute in Japan. He also manages animal health management at the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium.
“Dr Ueda has led unique and important directions in aquatic animal care and medicine at the Okinawa Churashima Aquarium. He developed techniques for blood sampling from free-swimming whale sharks and manta rays at the aquarium, which have been transposed to sampling in wild conspecifics, particularly whale sharks,” said one person who nominated Ueda.
“Aquariums in North America and elsewhere have modelled many procedures and facilities from Dr Ueda’s original work and approaches, which are often not recognized outside of Japan,” they added.
“Dr Keiichi Ueda continues to lead this work in Japan, demonstrating the value of maintaining animal health and wellness to his colleagues throughout the Japanese aquarium community.”
For more than 40 years, the Okinawa Churashima Foundation has operated and managed Okinawa’s national parks, carrying out research on the region’s subtropical plants and animals, technological development, and public awareness. Through its research institute, the foundation aims to respond to environmental problems and crises, preserve Okinawa’s natural environment, and promote sustainable regional development.