Midori earned her Ph.D. from the University of Tokyo in the lab of Masayuki Yamamoto. She later completed her first postdoctoral research with Daiju Kitagawa at the National Institute of Genetics in Mishima. She then moved to the United States to pursue her second postdoctoral studies with Karen Oegema and Arshad Desai at the University of California, San Diego. Since August 2022, She has been conducting her research at OIST, initially as a Science and Technology Associate. In August 2024, she was awarded the Buribushi Fellowship and started leading her research group at OIST as the head of the Centrosome Dynamics and Evolution Group. Throughout her career, she has studied various model systems, including starfish, yeast, nematodes, and human cell culture. Her research focuses on fundamental mechanisms related to centrosomes, whose dysfunction can lead to cancer and developmental disorders. 

I’m originally from Okinawa, and my background is in molecular biology. As a lab technician, I’ve worked with a wide range of organisms―from unicellular organisms to chordates―and have been involved in various experimental systems focusing on DNA, RNA, and proteins. Living things are truly fascinating! I'm happy to have a job where I get to explore the wonders of living things.
In my free time, I enjoy playing with my dog, trying delicious food, and refreshing myself through travel.
 

My name is Euikyung, and I am from South Korea. I enjoy moving around, experiencing new things, and taking on new challenges. During my master’s degree, I studied protein structural biology, and I am still eager to continue learning new skills and expanding my experience.
Outside of science, I enjoy spending my free time snorkeling in the summer, camping with my family and friends, and trying to read more books.
 

My name is Marina. I am originally from Shizuoka, but I have lived in Tokyo for most of my life. I got my bachelor’s degree in chemistry and my master’s degree in biochemistry from Ochanomizu University in Tokyo. Before joining OIST in January 2026, I worked at a pharmaceutical company for nine months, but I decided to pursue a Ph.D. to further explore and deepen my scientific interests. My research interests are protein structure and evolution. During my rotation, I will investigate the mechanistic basis of the γ-tubulin ring complex using C. elegans. I am excited about this project and look forward to learning new techniques and gaining new knowledge. I am also enjoying volleyball, cooking, and the beautiful nature of Okinawa during my Ph.D.!

I am originally from Chiba, and I have been working at OIST as a Research Unit Administrator (RUA) since 2013. 
I feel honored to have joined the Centrosome Dynamics and Evolution Group since its inception, and I look forward to contributing to this research group with the knowledge and experience I have gained as an RUA. I will do my best to be a reliable person for the team and to enjoy working with them. 
I like to eat out, drink out, and travel on vacation, and also like to stay at home all day doing nothing but looking at the ocean, it is nice to live and work in Okinawa.