Attended by 109 young pre- and postdoctoral researchers from the US, UK, France, Germany and Canada, the JSPS Summer Program, cosponsored by The Graduate University for Advanced Studies (Sokendai), was held over a 2-month period from 12 June to 22 August.
 Featuring a research internship at a host institution, the program began with a one-week orientation held at the Shonan Village Center in the seaside resort town of Hayama. At it, the fellows received special lectures, gave poster presentations, attended classes in Japanese language learning, engaged in Japanese culture activities, and experienced Japanese living through homestay with a Japanese family. After the orientation, the young researchers went their separate ways to their respective host institutions. Their summer internships afforded them an experience upon which to consider coming back to Japan to do research at future junctures in their careers. On the day before the program ended, the participants reassembled to present reports on their summer research activities.
For more detailed information on the JSPS Summer Program, please see our website: http://www.jsps.go.jp/english/e-summer/
- Overseas Fellowship Division
Research Activities
Ms. Tenenbaum with her host |
The centerpiece of the JSPS Summer Program is the fellows' internship at a host research institution, where they take part in research activities with frontline Japanese researchers in their respective fields. The following are comments offered by two of the fellows on their research experiences.
Ms. Elena Tenenbaum
(PhD student, Brown University) at The University of Tokyo
Her host: Dr. Kazuo Hiraki
"Thanks to JSPS, I had the opportunity to work with my host Dr. Hideki Mochizuki, who is doing some of the most exciting and promising research into neuroprotective strategies and gene therapy for Parkinson's disease. His expertise, as well as the various models and techniques used in his laboratory, have been extremely beneficial to my research and my development as a scientist. This has been a very rewarding experience, both scientifically and culturally. I hope to establish a long-term collaboration with this fine Japanese laboratory."
Mr. Threfall and his host to right |
Mr. Richard Threfall
(PhD student, University of Liverpool) at The University of Tokyo
His host: Dr. Takeshi Wada
"To come to Japan and be able to take part in the JSPS programme was such a great experience for me. It was both enjoyable and challenging to undertake research in a different environment whilst trying to learn Japanese too! My time in Japan was beneficial not just on a personal level of having made new friends and seen new places, but it has also opened my eyes to the opportunities and possibilities of science in Japan. Our lab in England will definitely be keen to maintain the ties and friendships developed here and we're looking forward to a fruitful future of co-operation and collaboration."
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