OIST Graduation Ceremony 2024

OIST Graduation Ceremony

May 25, 2024

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The Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) held its sixth graduation ceremony on May 25, 2024.

Program

SATURDAY, MAY 25, 2024, 2:00–5:00 p.m.
OIST AUDITORIUM

13:30 Doors open
14:00 Musical introduction and academic procession
  Welcome by Dr. Karin Markides, President and CEO, OIST 
  Address by the Okinawa Prefectural Government
  Address by the Cabinet Office
  Commencement address by Prof. Reiko Kuroda
  Conferment of honorary degree to Prof. Torsten Wiesel
  Conferment of PhD degrees, introduced by Prof. Thomas Busch, Dean of the Graduate School
  Announcement of Faculty Excellence in Mentoring Award
  Announcement of Peter Gruss Doctoral Dissertation Excellence Award
  Graduating student speech
  Music finale and academic procession
16:15 Reception

 

Commencement Speaker

Portrait of Reiko Kuroda

Prof. Reiko Kuroda

Prof. Kuroda received her PhD in Chemistry from The University of Tokyo, and is currently a Distinguished Professor at Chubu University. Prior to this role, she held positions at King’s College London, the University of Tokyo (now Professor Emerita), and the Tokyo University of Science. 

As a scientist, she is known for her seminal contributions to left-right asymmetry (chirality) in crystallography, spectroscopy, and molecular/developmental biology, having published over 350 papers and given numerous invited lectures around the world. She is a Laureate of the L’Oréal UNESCO Women in Science Award and a foreign member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.

As an activist, she has focused on science policy, education, women in science, science communication, and the environment, serving as Scientific Advisory Board member to the UN Secretary General on SDGs, Vice President of the International Council for Science (ICSU), a member of the Club of Rome, and a member of the G7 Gender Equality Advisory Council (GEAC).
 

Speakers

Torsten smiling

Prof. Torsten Wiesel

Prof. Wiesel held academic positions at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and Harvard Medical School, where he was Chairman of the Department of Neurobiology from 1971–1981. In 1983, Prof. Wiesel joined The Rockefeller University and later served as President for seven years until 1998. He served as Secretary-General of the International Human Frontier Science Program Organization from 2000–2009. He was a founding member of OIST’s Board of Governors since 2002 and served as the BOG Co-chair from December 2006 to October 2017. He played a key role in establishing a framework to achieve international cooperation with an emphasis on the quality of research and opportunities for young investigators. He is also a 1981 Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine.

Anzhelika Koldaeva

DR. Anzhelika Koldaeva

Originally from Novosibirsk, Russia, Anzhelika obtained her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in theoretical mathematics from Novosibirsk State University. Seeking to use her mathematical background in more applied fields, she embarked on a journey that led her to OIST in 2017. There, she joined as research intern, delving into statistical analysis of neural genomic data in the Sensory and Behavioural Neuroscience Unit under the mentorship of Professor Izumi Fukunaga.

Upon completion of her internship, Anzhelika commenced her PhD studies in the Biological Complexity Unit under Professor Simone Pigolotti. Her PhD research focused on investigating how spatial constraints within environments influence the evolution of populations inhabiting them. The outcomes of her research were disseminated in The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) journal.

Currently, Anzhelika is a Software Engineer at Rapyuta Robotics in Tokyo. In this capacity, she specializes in high-level simulation of fully autonomous complex warehouse systems and their optimization.

Outside of her professional pursuits, Anzhelika enjoys art, photography, and sports during her downtime.

Tradition

OIST Graduation Attire

Academic Dress

“Academic dress” is part of a tradition spanning a thousand years of history, connecting us to the first universities in Europe. Originally the dress was worn daily by students and professors alike; however, its use now is restricted to formal occasions at universities.

OIST’s academic dress was designed entirely by the students, and follows the red, white, and black of the OIST colors. The hood, worn only by OIST PhD graduates, features a local textile called Yuntanza Minsa, woven with the Guushi-Bana method of forming the pattern with a pointed bamboo stick. The design of the hood combines local patterns for good fortune, with stylized sine waves representing the sciences.

The hoods are generously hand-woven from locally hand-dyed cotton from Yuntanza Hanaui, a craft-weavers guild from nearby Yomitan Village, and we thank them for their wonderful contribution.

Female and male dancers dressed in traditional Ryukyuan costume dance with fans.

Traditional Okinawan Dance

Every year, our graduation ceremony starts with a performance of traditional Okinawan dance (琉球舞踊) and music by OIST community members.

In 2024, we will enjoy "Kajadifu," the most famous of the congratulatory dances, performed on occasions of joy, such as celebrations and inaugurations. Rich in the primary forms and techniques of Ryukyuan dance, such as the use of decorative fans, it is a celebration of the joy of life and one of the most important dances in the canon.

Graduates

Otis Davey Brunner
Otis Davey Brunner
Thesis:
The Role of Connectivity in Structuring Community Composition and Diversity at Hydrothermal Vents Across the Northwest Pacific
Supervisor:
Research Unit:
Graduation Date: 30 June 2023
Hunter Daniel Barbee
Hunter Daniel Barbee
Thesis:
Plasma Membrane Damage-Dependent Senescent Cells Accelerate Wound Healing In Vitro via Soluble Molecules and Increased Extracellular Vesicles
Supervisor:
Research Unit:
Graduation Date: 30 September 2023
Kojiro Suda
Kojiro Suda
Thesis:
The Role of Calcium Ion Dynamics and Inter-Organelle Communication During Plasma Membrane Damage-Dependent Cellular Senescence
Supervisor:
Research Unit:
Graduation Date: 31 March 2024