Umi Yamamoto

Umi Yamamoto holds a Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where his research in polymer physics bridged theoretical physics and materials science. He went on to a postdoctoral appointment at the California Institute of Technology, expanding into chemistry and chemical engineering through molecular dynamics simulations and coarse-grained modeling.

After returning to Japan, Umi began his industry career at a leading global chemical company, where he helped establish and lead internal materials informatics initiatives. He worked across a wide range of materials—including polymers, films, resins, membranes, and specialty chemicals—serving not only as a technical expert but also as a leader who enjoyed collaborating with colleagues, building connections, and moving projects forward together. He later led R&D efforts at a U.S. startup recognized for its pioneering work in molecular design through materials informatics. Now at Enthought, he combines theoretical foundations, computational expertise, and collaborative skills to accelerate materials discovery.

Outside of work, Umi enjoys exploring craft breweries and barrel-aged imperial stouts. He also pursues creative projects such as indie game development, with one of his titles released on Nintendo Switch and Steam.