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Tomohiro Loeer, Tomo is a UIF candidate and co-founder of student organization Horizon, is University Innovation Fellow currently studying Anthropology, Political Science, Philosophy and Anthropology Business at Sophia University in Tokyo. Tomo enjoyed an interdisciplinary and multicultural upbringing by growing up in Japan, Germany, and Scotland. He enjoys learning about his native Japanese culture, modern innovation, mental health and what defines creativity. He is an avid lover of Italian cuisine, dive bars and pottery, and likes to keep himself active through team sports like football and volleyball. Just walking without direction exploring cities , and immersing himself in the local community is his favorite favourite pastime.

For Tomo, the UIF program is a place where he can freely grow ideas with a like-minded team. From his mix of Japanese, German , and Scottish background, he has grown to believe in individuality - the ability to be yourself - and in passion towards one’s work and dream.

In Horizonthe last two years, he has been heavily active in leading student movements and diving into design thinking to empower himself and the people around him. He is the Co-Founder and former president of Horizon, a student empowerment group. He led a diverse team of 30 members into its second year, and building projects focused on gender, refugee, environmental and innovation issues. When working with others, Tomo values the intention behind the creation of positive impact. This intention was crucial when bringing his founding members of Horizon together in their mission to empower themselves and inspire other changemakers. But more importantly, he acknowledges the value of a team supporting his actions.

While also a Fellow at the Stanford d.school, Tomo is educated in design thinking at the [https://hpi.de/en/school-of-design-thinking HPI School of Design Thinking], a leading design thinking institution globally. Currently, he is building [https://www.notion.so/risejapan2021/Welcome-c70988ca5c244049af42f3f5b82272c9 RISE], an organization empowering the youth to become changemakers through design thinking workshops. He wants to empower othersis also currently working on projects focusing on digital technology, sustainability, to empower himselfocean pollution and education systems.