Who Is Haruko Obokata? Age, Biography and Wiki
Born on September 25, 1983, Haruko Obokata is now 41 years old. She gained global attention in the early 2010s for her groundbreaking work in regenerative medicine and stem cell research. Obokata became a prominent figure after her controversial studies on STAP (Stimulus-Triggered Acquisition of Pluripotency) cells, which led to substantial discussions in the scientific community regarding the validity of her findings. Despite facing challenges, she remains a pivotal figure in stem cell research today.
| Occupation | Scientists |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | September 25, 1983 |
| Age | 42 Years |
| Birth Place | Matsudo City, Chiba Prefecture, Japan |
| Horoscope | Libra |
| Country | Japan |
Popularity
Haruko Obokata's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
As of 2025, Haruko Obokata stands at approximately 5 feet 4 inches (163 cm) tall and weighs around 120 pounds (54 kg). While detailed public records of her measurements are not available, she is known for her poised and professional demeanor.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Details about Haruko Obokata's personal life remain relatively private. While information regarding her family is scarce, it is known that she has a supportive family background that encourages her pursuits in science. As of 2025, reports suggest she is likely single, focusing on her research and professional commitments. There have been no confirmed details about any boyfriends or romantic relationships.
Net Worth and Salary
As of 2025, Haruko Obokata's estimated net worth is around $2 million, primarily attributed to her career in research and various public speaking engagements. Her salary has varied over the years due to her roles in academia and her involvement in several prominent research institutions, but she is believed to earn a respectable income given her expertise and contributions to science.
Career, Business and Investments
Haruko Obokata's career is characterized by her innovative approach to stem cell research. Following her initial studies, she has continued her work in regeneration and has contributed to numerous prestigious journals. Despite the controversies that marked her early career, Obokata has shown resilience and adaptability by engaging in collaborative projects and exploring new frontiers in cellular biology. Furthermore, her participation in various STEM initiatives suggests she may also be investing some of her resources in educational and entrepreneurial ventures related to science and healthcare.
In a February 2015 article, The Guardian reported that Obokata was guilty of "unbelievable carelessness", having "manipulated images and plagiarised text." Obokata was also described as exhibiting hubris: "If Obokata hadn’t tried to be a world-beater, chances are her sleights of hand would have gone unnoticed and she would still be looking forwar
d to a long and happy career in science.
[...] By stepping into the limelight, she exposed her work to greater scrutiny than it could bear."
Social Network
Haruko Obokata is active on various social media platforms, including Twitter and LinkedIn, where she shares insights about her work, scientific developments, and personal reflections on research. She utilizes these platforms to connect with fellow researchers and engage with the public about the importance of stem cell research.
At Riken, Obokata studied stem cells in collaboration with Vacanti, Teruhiko Wakayama, and Yoshiki Sasai, with two of her research papers accepted for publication in Nature in 2013.
In a note to Vacanti, Sasai wrote that Obokata had discovered "a magic spell" that led to their experimental success, described later in The Guardian as "a surprisingly simple way of turning ordinary body cells…into something very much like embryonic stem cells" by soaking them in "a weak bath of citric acid." This procedure was reported to "wash
away [the cells'] developmental past," transforming them into "cellular infants, able to multiply abundantly and grow into any type of cell in the body, a superpower known as pluripotency." Upon publication of the papers, Obokata "was hailed as a bright new star in the scientific firmament and a national hero."
Education
Obokata received her Ph.D. fromKeio University in Tokyo, which laid the groundwork for her future research endeavors in cellular biology. Throughout her education, she has been recognized for her academic excellence and innovative research approaches, which have propelled her to the forefront of her field.
She attended Toho Senior High School, which is attached to Toho University, and graduated from Waseda University with a B.S. degree in 2006, and an M.S. degree in applied chemistry in 2008.
Obokata later joined the laboratory of Charles Vacanti at Harvard Medical School, where she was described as "a lab director’s dream" with "fanatical devotion". In 2011, Obokata completed her Ph.D. in Engineering at the Graduate School of Advanced Engineering and Science at Waseda University.
Obokata became a guest researcher at the Riken Center for Developmental Biology in 2011, and in 2013 became head of the Lab for Cellular Reprogramming.
