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1. What prompted you decide to participate in the "JSPS Science Dialogue" program?
For the first time, I've got to know the JSPS Science Dialogue program at orientations in Tokyo. At that time, I thought it would seem to be a good chance for me to introduce my work, the field of Regenerative Medicine and Tissue Engineering, to high school students, while encouraging young students to gain self-confidence about pursuing careers in medical science and engineering.
2. To what did you give greatest attention in preparing and giving the lecture?
Expecting more or less that it appeared difficult for the students to understand an English lecture on scientific and technical subjects, I tried to prepare my slides as visual as possible with many interesting and informative materials (e.g., images, photos and animations), but at the same time keeping them easy and simple. In addition, I did an introduction of my country, hometown, university and so what.
3. Did you find it difficult to give a lecture in English to Japanese students? Could you give some advice to future lecturers on how to facilitate communication with Japanese students?
Frankly speaking, I found that it was difficult to high school students because they had limited experience to receive a lecture in English. Although I had given them the brief summary and keywords of my presentation and tried to speak slowly and clearly to help their understanding, I felt that diverse technical terminology, uncommon words and the basic concepts of my study would be still too difficult to understand. Furthermore, this was the first time that I had a lecture to such a young student. At appropriate intervals, however, my host professor gave them supplementary comments and assisted me by summarizing my talk in Japanese in order to ensure that they understood as much as possible.
4. Could you give your impression with regard to participating in this program?
First of all, I'd like to thank the JSPS Science Dialogue organizers, the principle and science teachers in charge of Ritsumeikan Senior High School for giving me a chance to present my work. I was very happy to participate in this program and enjoyed it very much as preparing a presentation. Talking to high school students rendered me to present my research in quite a different way, namely it required special preparation and a different approach from that which I am used to giving to an older, more specialized audience at conferences. Nevertheless, I hope my presentation might motivate, inspire and encourage the students who are going to be researchers and scientists in some years.
5. Was it meaningful in terms of your fellowship activities?
I think it was appreciably meaningful in terms of my fellowship because it helped me to think more about my research. If I have the chance to lecture some day in my country, many of these slides and materials will be useful for it.
6. In what ways do you think the students benefited from the program?
As I said in question # 4, I really hope my talk might be a chance to see, listen to and feel such kind of work they can do as a scientist or engineer. Boys and girls, imagine themselves as future researchers and scientists. How valuable and enjoyable it is!!
7. Could you give some overall advice or comments to future participants in the program?
Don't hesitate. Participate in this program and enjoy it. It was another challenge and valuable experience to me. This is one of the few ways that you can be involved in and contribute to the local community as well as return the favor and benefit from JSPS somehow. I think in Japan experience in life is important as much as research.
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