New Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Takanori Fujiwara

Today

Welcome new Assistant Professor!

 

Takanori Fujiwara

Dr. Takanori Fujiwara joined the Department of Computer Science faculty fall 2025. We asked Dr. Fujiwara to answer our "Getting to know you" questions. Responses below. 

Educational background/short bio:
I received my Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of California, Davis (2021), where I was a member of the VIDI Lab led by Dr. Kwan-Liu Ma. I also hold a B.E. in Systems Innovations (2009) and an M.S. in Environmental Studies (2011) from the University of Tokyo. After completing my Ph.D., I spent three years as a postdoctoral researcher at Linköping University in Sweden. In addition to my academic career, I worked for four years at Kajima Corporation, a leading construction company in Japan, where I focused on streamlining construction site management.

Research interests:
My research areas span data visualization, machine learning, and human-computer interaction. I am particularly interested in developing data representations, visual media, and interactive environments to help us communicate more effectively with data. 

For example, I am currently working on creating a planetarium-scale visualization show for biological data exploration, with an international collaboration team, including researchers from the American Museum of Natural History, Rockefeller University, the University of Basel (Switzerland), and Linköping University (Sweden). Our goal is to help biologists investigate large-scale datasets as well as share their discoveries with the public in compelling ways. I am designing dimensionality reduction algorithms to produce data representations suited for giant 3D environments and integrating multimodal information, such as sounds and visuals, into an interactive platform.
 
Beyond this project, I enjoy working across disciplinary boundaries, addressing challenges in domains such as biology, political science, and sociology through international collaborations.
 

Why did you apply to join the University of Arizona Department of Computer Science?
The University of Arizona offers an ideal environment for my research and teaching. I am inspired by the university’s commitment to tackling diverse research and societal challenges. The Department of Computer Science has strong expertise in data visualization and machine learning, which complements my work and opens opportunities for collaboration. In addition, the College of Science provides excellent platforms to share research findings with a wide audience, such as the Flandrau Science Center & Planetarium. 

What made you interested in pursuing a career in higher education/the academy?
I deeply value two aspects of academia: freedom and expression. Academic life allows me to choose which real-world challenges to address and how to approach them. Through research, teaching, and collaboration, I can express my ideas, identity, and creativity in ways that influence and inspire others. This process has been both intellectually enriching and personally fulfilling. 

What are you looking forward to most in coming to UA?
I am excited about many new experiences: creating and teaching classes, establishing a research laboratory, and collaborating with new colleagues and students. Outside of academics, I look forward to exploring Tucson’s unique atmosphere: its beautiful mountains, fascinating cacti, and vibrant food scene.

Any other information you would like students, staff, faculty, alumni, etc. to know about you. 
I have many interests beyond research. I love exploring mountains and rocks, and I’ve visited places such as Yosemite, the Canadian Rockies, the Himalayas, Mt. Fuji, and Mt. Lemmon. I also enjoy homebrewing, collecting comics (I own more than 2,000), and playing retro video games (NES, SNES, and older). I like martial arts and hold a black belt in Judo. I also enjoy experiencing new cultures through travel, food, and music. Most recently, I’ve become curious about learning more about cacti.

Please feel free to reach out and share your own passions and interests. I love discovering new things.