The university-wide general education course "For Those Aspiring to Become Scientists - Messages from Female Scientists" for the first semester of the 2012 academic year has begun. Fourteen female researchers will introduce their own research and their careers and dreams as scientists.
Those aspiring to become scientists in the 21st century must not only delve deeply into their own specialized fields but also be aware of the current state and progress of diverse scientific fields, including related areas. This is because collaboration both domestically and internationally in interdisciplinary fields that transcend traditional academic systems is essential to addressing major issues such as global warming, earthquakes, and nuclear accidents, and to build a sustainable society. The innovation and creative development expected of science also require the participation of diverse individuals in research, and gender equality is a key element of this. While Japan still lags behind other countries in terms of women's participation, this lecture series will feature one female scientist from Hokkaido University who is active globally, each time introducing their research and their careers and dreams as scientists. The attitudes towards scientific research and the daily lives of scientists, as shared by women who often face various burdens in establishing and developing their scientific careers, such as childbirth and childcare, will undoubtedly offer valuable lessons not only for female students but also for male students. This lecture series will be useful not only for those pursuing a general science background but also for those who have already decided on their faculty and department, as it will allow them to learn about the breadth of education and research offered at Hokkaido University and consider their own various possibilities. (From the syllabus)
First session, April 10th: Professor Sanae Ariga, Director of the Office for Supporting Female Researchers
"Lecture Outline"
Second session, April 17th: Rie Goto, Senior Researcher, Faculty of Agriculture
"The Sexuality of Fish - How Male and Female Determinants are Determined"
Third session, April 24th, Kyoko Miwa, Project Assistant Professor, Institute for Advanced Studies/Graduate School of Environmental Science and Technology
"Investigating the function of plant genes - finding molecules that transport minerals in plants,
Creating plants that can thrive even in poor soil.
4th May 1st Graduate School of Information Science and Technology Specially Appointed Assistant Professor Nagisa Munakata
"Building sustainable interactions between people and artifacts"
5th session, May 8th, Assistant Professor Yu Yamaguchi, Faculty of Agriculture
"Why study plants?"
6th session, May 15th, Associate Professor Akiko Satake, Graduate School of Environmental Science and Earth
"Connecting molecules, ecosystems, and human society through mathematics."
7th Session, May 22nd, Yoko Mitani, Assistant Professor, Northern Biosphere Field Science Center
"Following Seals South and North: Biologging and Field Science"
8th session, May 29th, Assistant Professor Saori Haneda, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences
"Understanding Alzheimer's Disease Scientifically - A Pharmaceutical Approach"
9th June 5th Faculty of Engineering Specially Appointed Assistant Professor Li Mei-long
"Fundamentals of Kansei Engineering - Understanding Kansei Engineering to Enrich the Mind"
10th session, June 12th, Assistant Professor Yuka Morioka, Institute for Genetic Disease Control.
"Life science research using genetically modified mice"
11th session, June 19th, Assistant Professor Eri Sakuta, Faculty of Science
"Create luminescent molecules"
12th Session, June 26th: Naomi Onishi, Assistant Professor, Research Center for Zoonosis Control
"Aiming to overcome zoonotic diseases"
13th July 3rd Faculty of Engineering Assistant Professor Hwang Inhee
"Considering Environmental Issues: Waste Management and Resource Recycling"
14th session, July 10th, Mari Piton, Project Assistant Professor, Faculty of Science
"The formation process and evolution of marine linspheres"
15th Session, July 17th, Assistant Professor Ayumi Saruwatari, Faculty of Engineering
"Fluid dynamics in nature"
