The Best Environment for Deeply Researching Power Systems
Aoto Horiuchi
Master's Course Student at the Department of Advanced Energy
As an undergraduate student, I studied thermodynamics in the Department of Mechanical Engineering. I became interested in the issues of power crunch and the massive growth of renewable energy during my senior year. Then I started to consider studying energy as a specialist from a power engineering viewpoint. Professor Baba's laboratory broadly pursues power systems and related devices, which perfectly suits my interests. Therefore, I decided to enter the GSFS.
Currently, I research energy management in factories using mathematical optimization and machine learning.
I really enjoy learning new analysis techniques and algorithms every day. The laboratory is an incredibly valuable environment where I can frequently receive feedback from professors and doctoral students. Since we regularly discuss research topics that other laboratory members are working on, my understanding of power systems has improved significantly since I entered the master's program.
GSFS's advantage is that it accepts students regardless of their majors in the undergraduate school. If you are interested, visit our school!
Aiming to Integrate Physics and Machine Learning
Rikito Ota
Master's Course Student at the Department of Complexity Science and Engineering
Although I majored in physics as an undergraduate student, I was strongly attracted to research on applying machine learning to physics knowledge. Therefore, I chose the current laboratory at the GSFS.
My research field is materials informatics. This new field aims to develop novel materials by integrating materials science, which is physics, and informatics (machine learning). Generally, artificial intelligence (AI) needs a great deal of data. However, data that can be obtained from physics experiments is limited. Moreover, models that AI predicts tend to come from a "black box," meaning physics knowledge is critical to clarify how these models are predicted. I am trying to develop machine learning models that can be explained by the laws of physics, regardless of the limited data.
The great advantage of the GSFS is diversity. Not only do the academic backgrounds of students and professors vary widely, but their activities also range widely. For example, some students actively participate in international conferences, pursuing research interests, and others start businesses while studying in the GSFS. I get a lot of inspiration from these various role models in the laboratory all the time.
An Ideal Environment to Focus on Research
Ruka Shimura
Doctoral Course Student at the Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences
I studied life sciences as an undergraduate student in the Faculty of Agriculture, where I conducted two years of research on fertilization using mouse models. Currently, I'm conducting research in Professor Goyama's laboratory, where I have been since the beginning of my master's program, aiming to develop novel therapeutic strategies for acute myeloid leukemia using the CRISPR/Cas system.
I also had the invaluable opportunity to present my research at both domestic and international conferences, where I engaged in meaningful discussions with researchers from around the world. There are two reasons why I chose to pursue my studies at GSFS. First, I was attracted to the opportunity to study medical science, as I hope to contribute to cancer therapy through research in the future. Second, because the GSFS does not have an affiliated undergraduate department, I believed it would offer a unique environment to grow as a researcher by collaborating and exchanging ideas with peers from diverse academic backgrounds.
I believe the GSFS offers a supportive and enriching environment for research, so I encourage you to explore your interests here.
Being a Community Activist as a Student
Taisei Shobayashi
Doctoral Course Student at the Department of Socio-Cultural Environmental Studies
I majored in architecture at the undergraduate school. I am currently researching the relationship between "community rebuilders" and local people in villages, as well as how the community and its place should be defined. I actually stay in villages, Tateyama City in Chiba prefecture, and Toba City in Mie prefecture for a long period of time. I try to connect what I experienced and noticed while building a relationship with the local people to my community and place design, as well as my research.
The GSFS encourages students to deepen their understanding of their research theme in a cross-disciplinary manner, moving back and forth between practice and academia. Thus, I can pursue my research in my own way. I can gain new perspectives from discussions with professors and students whose specialties are different from mine, which greatly inspires me.
I want to carefully listen to the local people and continue to implement architectural ideas that satisfy them.
Exploring Sustainable Food Systems
Nina Hodalova
Master's Course Student at the Department of International Studies
I majored in Nutrition and Dietetics Science at Coventry University in the United Kingdom. During my studies, I have mainly learned about nutrition and its connection to human health. However, I became interested in the environmental impact of our daily eating habits. Many studies highlight that a shift from meat to plant-based protein is a key strategy in combating climate change, preserving biodiversity, protecting the water quality, and providing other environmental benefits--yet this approach is often overlooked.
Currently, I am a Master's degree student researching the topic of how dietary habits affect the water quality of the Kasumigaura watershed. I chose the Graduate School of Frontier Sciences (GSFS) because I found a laboratory of agro-environmental studies and a professor who matched my specific interest. Professor Yoshida is an expert in hydrology and agriculture who helps me gain the necessary knowledge through interesting discussions. Although I was not familiar with water environment-related knowledge at first, I felt that our laboratory was a safe environment to learn and ask questions without hesitation. I enjoy conducting research at GSFS because we are encouraged to express our creativity and develop original research topics. After graduating from GSFS, my career goal is to work as a researcher in sustainable food production.
If you are considering enrolling at GSFS, I highly recommend it, especially if you want to research a topic that you are interested in but not so knowledgeable about. Students here usually come from various academic backgrounds, and we learn new concepts together.
Creating Alternative Economic Futures
Chris Martin
Doctoral Course Student at the Graduate Program in Sustainability Science
As an undergraduate, I studied Marketing and Advertising which led me into a decade long career in international business. For many of these years, I served on the leadership board of a research agency, where I was exposed to the complex realities of the global economic system, and the many ways in which it contributes to environmental and social harm. I wanted to use my background and experiences to help better understand the social fabric from which our global economic paradigm emerged, and how agents of change can design transformative interventions to overcome systemic barriers. That is what led me to join the Graduate Program in Sustainability Science at The University of Tokyo.
Today, my research focuses on the operationalisation of wellbeing economics, critically evaluating how actors approach post-GDP intervention design, and interactions between interventions and existing economic structures. It's my hope that this will contribute in some small way to the monumental task of a just transition to a sustainable society. I chose GSFS because it is an environment which encourages transdisciplinary research and offers the opportunity to engage in diverse collaborations between students. It is a place where academic creativity is encouraged and dialogues yield exciting new avenues for exploration. And, importantly, it is on the frontier of scientific thinking.
My experience has been that GSFS is warm and welcoming to international students, providing the inspiration, support and guidance that enables students to flourish. If you have curiosity and enthusiasm - this is the place for you.