The reason for choosing Japan to conduct research
During my research as Ph.D. student I was working with marine and cave sediments. My advisor Dr. Martinez-Ruiz already collaborates with Dr. Sakamoto in some research fields. Profiting this previous collaboration I did a short stay in the IFREE/JAMSTEC laboratories getting a high impression about instruments and laboratory facilities, especially new technological achievements. Since I was looking for a post-doct position they encouraged me to apply a JSPS fellowship.
Research achievements
Our main aim was to know how affect global warming to the Northern Hemisphere focusing in the Mediterranean and Okhotsk Seas. In collaboration with different specialist and international institutions sea surface temperatures, planktonic oxygen isotope profiles and bulk geochemical composition of core sediments, has been reconstructed for the Western Mediterranean and Okhotsk Sea for the Last Interglacial and from Last Glacial Maximum until the Holocene. Obtained results allowed identifying the mechanisms and changes occurred during the Holocene and how the global warming associated with the end of the last glacial period and the progressive increase of the Sea level promoted the end of the last organic rich layer formation (ORL) in the western Mediterranean. A dynamic mechanism for the origin of western Mediterranean ORLs linked to coupled changes in surface layer buoyancy proposed. Described phenomena will be compared with changes occurred in the Japan Sea. In the case of the Okhotsk Sea high resolution geochemical climate proxy data base has been elaborated using high resolution nondestructive sediment scanning and imaging in range of millimeter (Tatscan F-2) that will be used for calibrate with climatic data series.
Advice to new fellows
Everybody will get a difference experience in Japan. This experience will be strongly related with the people and work environment where the researcher is involved. Try to made friends not only in your task group could be a good way. To keep an open mind and take Japanese language lessons are fundamental. Take active part in social activities, try JSPS-Science-Dialogue program strongly recommended. Don’t try to change things around you… take few months for adjust, avoiding hostile feelings, and try to understand where you are… To know the history, education and culture of Japan would make you feel more comfortable. You are very lucky, profit this opportunity! |
