Ryotaro Arita is a theoretical condensed-matter physicist, a professor at the University of Tokyo’s Department of Physics and team director of the RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science. He received his Ph.D. in physics from the University of Tokyo in 2000 after undergraduate and master’s studies there. His research focuses on first-principles calculations, many-body theory and the design and prediction of novel functional materials such as superconductors, magnets, and topological materials. His major recognitions include the Ryogo Kubo Memorial Prize (2015) and the Commendation for Science and Technology by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (2023).