Takahiro Matsuoka earned his Ph.D. in science from Osaka University in 2008. His dissertation involves the pressure-induced metal to semiconductor transition and crystal structure transitions of lithium under high pressures that have been studied by electrical resistance measurements, optical reflectance, and X-ray diffraction using a diamond anvil cell. From 2008-2009, Dr. Matsuoka experienced postdoctoral research positions at Osaka University (Extreme High-Pressure Group), and also worked as a postdoctoral associate at Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute (Powder-Diffraction beamline under extreme compression) from 2009-2011. After experiencing assistant professor positions at Osaka University from 2011-2013 and Gifu University from 2013-2016, and associate professor positions at Gifu University from 2016-2018, Dr. Matsuoka joined Mandrus Research Group in 2018.

Dr. Matsuoka’s research focuses on the new electronic states, such as superconductivity, thermoelectricity, magnetoresistivity, heavy fermion behavior, that emerge in Wyle semimetals, topological materials, and layered compounds, and so on.

Dr. Matsuoka uses diamond anvil cells to apply high pressures on materials exceeding 10000 bars, hence changes the interaction between electrons and magnetic moments, and studies new physical phenomena and material functions.