Yasuaki Kakehi, PhD, is an artist and researcher specializing in interactive media. After gaining research and teaching experience at Keio University and MIT, he joined The University of Tokyo in 2018 and was promoted to Professor in 2022. His research focuses on creating physical interfaces with a particular emphasis on materiality and physicality. His works have been presented at academic conferences such as SIGGRAPH, CHI and UIST, exhibited at art exhibitions and festivals including the Ars Electronica Festival, and has been recognized with several honors, including an Honorary Mention in the STARTS Prize 2022.