Next-Generation of Brain Scientists Interact: First Joint Symposium by OIST and RIKEN CBS
The Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) and the RIKEN Center for Brain Science (RIKEN CBS) held the OIST-RIKEN Brain Symposium from August 21 to 23 at OIST. The symposium featured 29 speakers, including researchers and PhD students from both institutions, and engaged more than 50 participants in seminars and discussions covering various aspects of neuroscience.
In his opening remarks, Professor Kazumasa Tanaka of the OIST Memory Research Unit explained, "The purpose of this symposium is to deepen the collaboration between two of Japan’s top research centers that bring together international neuroscientists. And the greatest feature of this symposium is that it was planned and organized by students. The experience they gain in organizing the event and the interactions they have with other students as well as with leading researchers help to shape the careers of the next generation of neuroscientists."
OIST has about 20 research units conducting research in the field of neuroscience, and the OIST Neuroscience Club is a way for students involved in this field to learn from each other across laboratory boundaries. The club was born out of a journal club in 2019 by two PhD students, Tom Burns and Eltabbal Mohamed Mostafa Kamal. The journal club, initially a forum for researchers on campus to present their research, evolved into the OIST Neuroscience Club, offering tutorials for learning and discussing the latest techniques and hosting seminars for external researchers to present their work. Since then, students have continued to run the club on their own initiative.
Miyu Nambu of the OIST Neuroscience Club, who was in charge of organizing the OIST-RIKEN Brain Symposium, said, "Although the symposium was small, I think it made it easier for participants to interact with each other and increase the potential for research development.“ Yuma Kajiwara, another member of the OIST Neuroscience Club, found the symposium to be a lively opportunity for exchange, saying, "The Q&A session was more active than I had expected!”
Eichi Toyoizumi, a PhD student from RIKEN CBS, observed, "As I interacted with the participants, I noticed that OIST students are proactive in their research projects and have strong discussions capabilities. Kajiwara added, "It was interesting to hear from the RIKEN CBS researchers about their research using fruit flies, an experimental organism that is not bred at OIST.
“Through the presentations and exchanges, I discovered new themes that I would like to explore, and my motivation for research has been renewed," said Nambu. “I feel that I have broadened my horizons and expanded my career prospects as a scientist," she added, highlighting the significance of this symposium.
The OIST Neuroscience Club hopes to continue organizing similar symposia in the future.
