OUR FACULTY
Internationally Recognized Faculty
Meet the professors shaping LUJ’s graduate programs.
About our professors
Lakeland University Japan benefits from internationally recognized faculty with all classes taught in English.
Dr. Eliud Kiprop
Assistant Professor
Dr. Eliud Kiprop is an Assistant Professor at Lakeland University Japan with interdisciplinary expertise in environmental studies, engineering, sustainability, mathematics, geospatial analysis, entrepreneurship, and quantitative research methodologies. He teaches both undergraduate and graduate courses and has experience in interdisciplinary instruction spanning mathematics, quantitative reasoning, business research, organizational effectiveness, environmental studies, AI and sustainability, and contemporary global issues.
He holds a PhD in Environmental Studies from the University of Tsukuba, Japan, a Master of Engineering from Ashikaga Institute of Technology, and a Bachelor of Engineering in Chemical and Process Engineering from Moi University, Kenya.
His academic and professional work focuses on the intersection of environmental systems, technology, business innovation, and society, with particular emphasis on sustainability, renewable energy, spatial analysis, and data-driven approaches to contemporary global challenges. In recent years, his teaching and research have increasingly explored the application of GIS, remote sensing, mathematics, AI, and spatial analytics in understanding environmental and demographic change.
Explore more about Dr. Kiprop
Dr. Kiprop has taught at several universities in Japan, including Lakeland University Japan, Juntendo University, Hosei University, Tokyo International University, Tokyo University of Foreign Studies, and the University of Electro-Communications. His teaching philosophy emphasizes interdisciplinary learning, entrepreneurship, problem-based education, critical thinking, and practical engagement with real-world issues.
In addition to teaching and research, he actively contributes to curriculum development, faculty committees, student mentorship, and innovation-focused initiatives. He has also supported student engagement with Tokyo’s startup ecosystem through activities connected to entrepreneurship and innovation platforms such as Venture Café Tokyo and SusHi Tech Tokyo.
Dr. Kiprop has taught at several universities in Japan, including Lakeland University Japan, Juntendo University, Hosei University, Tokyo International University, Tokyo University of Foreign Studies, and the University of Electro-Communications. His teaching philosophy emphasizes interdisciplinary learning, entrepreneurship, problem-based education, critical thinking, and practical engagement with real-world issues.
In addition to teaching and research, he actively contributes to curriculum development, faculty committees, student mentorship, and innovation-focused initiatives. He has also supported student engagement with Tokyo’s startup ecosystem through activities connected to entrepreneurship and innovation platforms such as Venture Café Tokyo and SusHi Tech Tokyo
- Population Dynamics and Environmental Change
- Remote Sensing, GIS, and Spatial Data Analysis
- Environmental Modeling and Quantitative Methods
- Sustainability and Renewable Energy Systems
- AI and Data Analytics in Environmental Research
- Human–Environment Interactions and Land Use Change
Certifications
- Graduate Engineer, Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK)
- Certificate in Renewable Energy Integration and Optimization, National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), USA
Professional Memberships
- Member, Kenya Society of Environmental, Biological and Agricultural Engineers (KeSABAE)
- Member, Climate Reality Project
- Former Member, Japan Solar Energy Society (JSES)
- Former Member, Japanese Society of Researchers for International Development (SRID)
Peer-Reviewed Publications
- Kiprop, E., Matsui, K., & Maundu, N. (2020). The future contribution of demand side management to solving Kenya’s energy insecurity problems. International Journal of Environmental Science and Development, 11(3), 111–115.
- Kiprop, E., Matsui, K., & Maundu, N. (2019). The role of household consumers in adopting renewable energy technologies in Kenya. Environments, 6(8).
- Eliud, K., Musembi, N. M., Kindole, D., Mukama, A., Kosgei, S. K., Nemoto, Y., & Nakajo, Y. (2017). Study of performance characteristics of small submersible pump run as hydro turbine generator. Science and Education, 5(1), 1–5.
- Maundu, N. M., Kiptoo, K. S., Eliud, K., Kindole, D., & Nakajo, Y. (2017). Air-flow distribution study and performance analysis of a natural convection solar dryer. American Journal of Energy Research, 5(1), 12–22.
Book Chapter
Karanja, J. M., Ondiba, H. A., & Kiprop, E. (2018). Comparative analysis of REDD+ projects in Madagascar and Costa Rica. In Scenario of Environmental Research and Development (pp. 12–21).
Conference Proceedings
- Ondiba, H., & Kiprop, E. (2025). Integrating artificial intelligence into Kenya’s competency-based curriculum. ASCILITE 2025.
- Kiprop, E., Matsui, K., Karanja, J. M., Andole, H., & Maundu, N. (2018). Demand side management opportunities in meeting energy demand in Kenya. Grand Renewable Energy Proceedings, Japan.
- Kiprop, E., Matsui, K., & Maundu, N. (2018). Can Kenya supply energy with 100% renewable sources? 5th International Conference on Environment and Renewable Energy.
- Kiprop, E., Nemoto, Y., Irungu, D., & Ushiyama, I. (2015). A study on performance characteristics of wind turbines made of thin plate. Joint Conference of the Japan Solar Energy Society and Japan Wind Energy Society.
- Nemoto, Y., Irungu, D., Sandar, L., & Kiprop, E. (2015). Study on the performance of micro hydro turbine generator converted from electric powered pump. Joint Conference of the Japan Solar Energy Society and Japan Wind Energy Society.
Conference Presentations
- Kiprop, E., Tajeddini, O., & Kipkirui, V. (2026). Techno-economic optimization of solar photovoltaic systems for industrial sustainability: A case study of the Kenyan tea sector. IOCE 2026.
- Kiprop, E., Kipkirui, V., & Irfan, S. (2026). Understanding regional disparities in foreign migration across Japan. IOCSO 2026.
- Kiprop, E., Matsui, K., & Maundu, N. (2019). The historical development of energy policies and the future of renewable energy in Kenya. Brisbane, Australia.
- Kiprop, E., Matsui, K., & Maundu, N. (2019). Drivers of renewable energy growth in Kenya. Washington DC, USA.
- Kiprop, E., Matsui, K., & Maundu, N. (2018). Addressing reliability challenges of 100% uptake of renewable energy in Kenya’s national grid. Budapest, Hungary.
- Kiprop, E., Nemoto, Y., & Irungu, D. (2016). Optimum design configuration of ribbon wheel type wind turbine. World Wind Energy Conference (WWEC), Tokyo.
- Kindole, D., Kiprop, E., Maundu, M. N., & Ando, Y. (2016). Advancement of DSSCs-output voltage by crystallization of TiO2 films using ASPPS-free Ar/N2 plasma jet. Osaka International Conference.
Dr. Robin Sakamoto
Assistant Professor
Dr. Robin Sakamoto is an Assistant Professor at Lakeland University Japan with interdisciplinary expertise in cross-cultural leadership, global citizenship, intercultural communication, comparative and international developmental education, and research methodologies. She is the second foreign female to serve as a Dean of a Japanese university, holding that position for six years at the Graduate School of International Cooperation and 12 years at the Faculty of Foreign Studies, both at Kyorin University, Tokyo.
She holds a PhD in Comparative and International Development Education from the University of Minnesota, a Master of Arts from Antioch University McGregor in Intercultural Relations, and a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Kalamazoo College, USA.
Her academic and professional work focuses on cross-border partnerships in higher education. She has participated in two university partnerships, one in Ukraine establishing a teacher-learning center at Odessa State Economic University, and one in Uganda providing head teacher training to secondary school teachers.
Explore more about Dr. Sakamoto
Dr. Sakamoto has taught at several universities in Japan, including Lakeland University Japan, the University of Tokyo, Keio University, Rikkyo University, Kyorin University, and the Faculty of Education of Iwate University.
Her teaching philosophy emphasizes putting theory into practice through a strong understanding of intercultural communication, cross-cultural leadership, and change agency. In addition to teaching and research, she actively contributes to faculty committees, student mentorship, community development, and community-focused intercultural initiatives. She also serves as a director on multiple boards for both universities and community-based organizations.
Dr. Sakamoto’s current research focuses on Japanese labor practices through an intercultural lens. She examines how lifelong employment, seniority-based wages and promotions, and enterprise unions, the three pillars of Japanese management, are at a crossroads as the Japanese labor market faces the challenges that come with globalization.
Her research combines intercultural communication theory with organizational development and change agentry, with particular focus on:
- Organizational Development and Change
- Cross-cultural Leadership
- Intercultural Communication Theory
- Change Agentry
- Cross-border Partnerships in Higher Education
- Sakamoto, R. (Ed.). (2026). Handbook of Japanese Labor Practices: Changing Perspectives. Routledge.
- Sakamoto, R. & Chapman, D. W. (Eds.). (2011). Cross-border Partnerships in Higher Education: Strategies and Issues. Routledge.
Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles
- Sakamoto, R. (2018). A Japanese research agenda for adapting to changes in internationalizing higher education. Kyorin University Review, 30, 1–10.
- Sakamoto, R. (2015). A research agenda for inbound mobility: Understanding the international student experience in the United States. AIEA Research Agendas for the Internationalization of Higher Education. Series editor: Elizabeth Brewer.
- Sakamoto, R. (2015). Investing in higher education, research and development for technological upgrading, innovation, and competitiveness. ERIA Discussion Paper Series ERIA-DP 2015-65.
- Sakamoto, R. (2014). Exploring paths towards a “global village” through intercultural moral text comprehension research. Journal of Intercultural Communication, 17, 15–30.
- Sakamoto, R. & Ono, Y. (2014). Transforming practice through pre-service recognition: An innovative use of lesson study in the Philippines. NUE Journal of International Educational Cooperation, 8, 9–16.
Book Chapters
- Sakamoto, R. (2015). The true meaning of integrity: Reflections on a professional life in Japan. In C. B. Hutchison (Ed.), Experiences of Immigrant Professors: Cross-cultural Differences, Challenges, and Lessons for Success (pp. 100–109). Routledge.
- Sakamoto, R. (2014). Global citizenship in the 21st century: The contribution of a hybrid generation. In X. Wang & R. Bernas (Eds.), People Without Borders: Becoming Members of Global Communities (pp. 43–58). Untested Ideas Research Center.
- Chapman, D. W., & Sakamoto, R. (2011). The changing face of cross-border higher education. In The Europa World of Learning, 61st Edition, Volume 1 (pp. 9–13). Routledge.
- Maharjan, G. & Sakamoto, R. (2011). Collaboration for instructional technology systems in agriculture. In R. Sakamoto & D. W. Chapman (Eds.), Cross-border Partnerships in Higher Education: Strategies and Issues (pp. 191–206). Routledge.
- Sakamoto, R. (2024, June 21). Role of universities in fulfilling sustainable development goals [Panel Discussion]. India-Japan Higher Education Forum, Tokyo, Japan.
- Sakamoto, R. (2024, March 6). Collaborating to develop sustainable female leadership partnerships [Conference presentation]. Asia-Pacific Association for International Education (APAIE), Perth, Australia.
- Sakamoto, R. (2019, November 16). A Japanese research agenda for adapting to changes in internationalizing higher education [Conference presentation]. International Communication Research Conference NDSU, Okayama, Japan.
- Sakamoto, R. (2019, November 1). The role of the interculturalist as a valued resource prior to extensive governmental initiatives [Conference presentation]. SIETAR-USA National Conference, Atlanta, GA, United States.
- Sakamoto, R. (2018, October 12). Embedding global learning through episodic change [Conference presentation]. Global Engagement and Spaces of Practice Conference (AAC&U), Seattle, WA, United States.
- Sakamoto, R. (2018, March 27). Empowering future-ready graduates by developing trilingual global leaders [Conference presentation]. Asia Pacific Association for International Education (APAIE), Singapore.
- Sakamoto, R. (2017, October 19). Building intercultural competence through the MEXT Global Human Resources Development Program [Conference presentation]. SIETAR-USA, San Diego, CA, United States.
- Sakamoto, R. (2016, June 4). A Japanese research agenda for adapting to changes in internationalizing higher education [Conference presentation]. Third Annual Conference on Global Higher Education at Lakeland College, Tokyo, Japan.
- Sakamoto, R. (2015, November 25). Innovative uses of lesson study in the undergraduate curriculum [Conference presentation]. World Association of Lesson Study (WALS) International Conference, Khon Kaen, Thailand.
- Sakamoto, R. (2014, September 20). Transforming practice through pre-service recognition [Conference presentation]. 26th Annual Japan-U.S. Teacher Education Consortium (JUSTEC) Conference, Tokyo, Japan.
- Sakamoto, R. (2014, July 13). Pre-service lesson study as a means for professional development [Conference presentation]. 50th Annual Conference of the Japan Comparative Education Society, Nagoya, Japan.
- Kinser, K., Ogden, A., & Sakamoto, R. (2014, February 17). A research agenda for the internationalization of higher education in the United States [Conference presentation]. AIEA Annual Conference, Washington, D.C., United States.
Awards
- Zenkoukai Spring Good Deeds Award (International Contribution Award for Tokyo) — Presented to an individual who has contributed to creating a bright and livable social environment and promoting international friendship.
- Certificate of Appreciation at the 70th Anniversary of the Founding of Mitaka City — Given in recognition for many years of dedication to the development of Mitaka City.
- Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research, Japan Society for the Promotion of Science — “A case study on the spread of ‘lesson study’ as an educational innovation.”
- Ruth Eckert Fellowship, University of Minnesota — Given to a female PhD candidate with a minimum GPA of 3.8 who demonstrates promise of making substantial contributions to education.
- Gift-of-Time Dissertation Research Grant
Professional Memberships
- 2019 – present: Management Council, Tokyo University of Foreign Studies
- President Selection and Inspection Committee, Tokyo University of Foreign Studies
- 2019 – present: Vice-Chairman, Mitaka International Society for Hospitality, Board of Directors
- 2019 – present: Chairman, Mitaka Internationalization Committee Round-Table Discussion
- Member, Japan Comparative Education Society
Dr. Lang Lang
Assistant Professor
Dr. Lang Lang holds a Ph.D. in Business Administration from Japan, with research interests in business philosophy and entrepreneurship. Professional experience spans academic research, corporate consulting, and entrepreneurship across China and Japan.
Explore more about Dr. Lang Lang
Dr. Lang Lang brings six years of consulting experience at a Japanese engineering consulting firm, focusing on urban disaster prevention technologies. This work included providing analytical consulting services to clients in the urban disaster prevention sector, along with marketing planning, B2B sales, contract negotiations, and commercial transactions.
Serving as an Adjunct Instructor and Thesis Supervisor at the Graduate School of Asia University since 2022, Dr. Lang Lang also teaches at Lakeland University in the areas of legal, ethical, regulatory, and social environments of business. The teaching approach, grounded in business philosophy, emphasizes responsible managerial judgment, stakeholder perspectives, and the role of law and ethics in global business decision-making
Dr. Lang Lang is the founder of Linglan Inc., a boutique consulting firm specializing in intercultural management and Japan market localization for Chinese enterprises. Current consulting work focuses on Japan market entry strategy, organizational development, and business collaboration between Chinese and Japanese companies.
Dr. Seval Yurtcicek Ozaydin
Assistant Professor
Dr. Seval Yurtcicek Ozaydin is an Assistant Professor at Lakeland University Japan. In LUJ’s graduate program, she teaches Applied Marketing Management, advertising and public relations writing, leadership communication, strategic new media, digital communication, and the digital divide..
She holds a Ph.D. from Tokyo Institute of Technology. Her academic work focuses on digital media, political communication, public engagement, social media, polarization, and the role of communication in shaping public perception and group behavior. Her professional experience as a public relations manager and as a social media manager for a company in Japan informs her teaching on audience analysis, persuasive messaging, brand communication, digital marketing, trust building, and the communication of value in global business environments.
Explore more about Dr. Ozaydin
Her teaching connects academic knowledge with practical application. Drawing on her professional experience in public relations, corporate communication, television, journalism, and social media management, she encourages students to examine how organizations understand audiences, communicate value, build trust, and adapt to changing digital environments. Her classes emphasize discussion, case analysis, practical examples, and the application of communication and marketing concepts to contemporary organizational and business contexts.
Dr. Yurtcicek Ozaydin’s current research focuses on digital media, political communication, online polarization, echo chambers, social networks, and platform-based public discourse. She examines how communication technologies and network structures influence public perception, group behavior, information exposure, and the formation of fragmented online communities.
Her research combines communication theory with computational and social network analysis.
- Media Framing
- Geopolitical Narratives
- Digital Communication in East Asia
- Network Fragmentation
- Methods for Identifying Influential Relationships within Complex Social Networks
Scholarships and Awards
- Tokyo Tech Tsubame Special Scholarship (for PhD), 2019
- Tokyo Tech Tsubame Scholarship for outstanding research (for PhD), 2020
- The Incentive Award, The Society of Socio-Informatics (for article), 2022
Professional Memberships
- Member of The Society of Socio-Informatics (Japan)
Publications
- Yurtcicek Ozaydin, S., Lubashevskiy, V., & Ozaydin, F. (2024). “Group Polarization and Echo Chambers in #GaijinTwitter Community.” Social Sciences, 13, 692.
- Yurtcicek Ozaydin, S., & Nishida, R. (2021). “Fragmentation and Dynamics of Echo Chambers of Turkish Political Youth Groups on Twitter.” Journal of Socio-Informatics, 14(1).
- Yurtcicek Ozaydin, S. (2021). “Hashtag Wars, Online Political Polarization and Mayoral Elections.” Social Sciences Research Journal, 10(3), 1-10.
- Yurtcicek Ozaydin, S. (2026). “Framing ASEAN in the Platform Age: Media Infrastructures and Geopolitical Narratives in East Asia.” Journalism and Media, 7(1), 12.
- Yurtcicek Ozaydin, S., Lubashevskiy, V., & Ozaydin, F. (2023). “Improved Link Entropy with Dynamic Community Number Detection for Quantifying Significance of Edges in Complex Social Networks ”,Entropy, 25, 365
- Yurtcicek Ozaydin, S., Ozaydin, F. (2023). “Deep Link Entropy for Quantifying Edge Significance in Social Networks ”,Applied Sciences, 11(23), 11182
Book Chapter
“Su Cilgin Gencler”, 2016 (in Turkish, “Those Crazy Turks”). Book on the recent politics of Turkey from the perspective of the history of Youth Union of Turkey.
Documentary Movies
- Scenarist and Director. “Usage of Miniature Art in Dervis Zaim’s Cinema.”
- Assistant Director. “Relationship of the Russian Literature and Cinematography in Nuri Bilge Ceylan’s Cinema” by Nigar Zulfugarova
International Peer-Reviewed Conferences
- Yurtcicek Ozaydin, S., & Ozaydin, F. (2021). Detecting political secession of fragmented communities in social networks via deep link entropy method. MediAsia2021 The 12th Asian Conference on Media, Comm. & Film, Kyoto, Japan
- Yurtcicek Ozaydin, S. (2020). 2019 Mayoral Elections in Turkey in the Light of Online Fragmentation and Polarization. ACSS2020 The 11th Asian Conference on the Social Sciences, Tokyo, Japan.
- Yurtcicek Ozaydin, S. (2019). Activity and Deliberative Enclaves of Fragmented Turkish Youth Groups of Political Parties on Twitter. MediaAsia2019 The 10th Asian Conference on Media, Comm. & Film, Tokyo, Japan
- Yurtcicek Ozaydin, S. (2019). The Right of Vote to Syrian Migrants: The Rise and Fragmentation of Anti-Migrant Sentiments in Turkey. MediaAsia2018 The 9th Asian Conference on Media, Comm. & Film, Tokyo, Japan
- Yurtcicek Ozaydin, S. (2018). The Rise of Anti Migrant Sentiments in Turkey. NWO-JSPS Bilateral Seminar, “Media, migration and nationalism: Comparing European and Asian experiences and perspectives”, Tokyo, Japan
learn from our internationally recognized faculty
Join a community advancing their careers through LUJ’s internationally accredited graduate programs.