On Friday, September 16 our eight 2016 Nakatani RIES Japanese Fellows concluded their five-week research internship at Rice University with the presentation of a final research poster at the Joint RCQM – Nakatani RIES Poster Session. This capstone experience provided our Japanese students with the opportunity to present on their research, in English, to a diverse audience comprised of faculty, researchers, and students from a wide range of science and engineering departments.
We are very proud of the accomplishment of these eight students and know they all have bright futures ahead of them as engineers and scientists. Great job everyone!
Please click on the student name to view their full profile or their research project title to view their poster.
Nobuyoshi Hiramatsu
The University of Tokyo
Applied Physics
Research Host Lab: Kono Lab, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Rice University
Research Project Poster: “Temperature dependent absorption spectrum of exfoliated InSe”
“Even though my research focus for my Ph.D. may be different from what I have done in the Kono Lab, the stay and the research experiences would be highly helpful to me in the future to help me determine the potential field to focus on.”
Takuya Kurihana
University of Tsukuba
Atmospheric Science
Research Host Lab: Heinkenschloss Lab, Computational & Applied Mathematics, Rice University
Research Project Poster: “Applying Data Assimilation to Parabolic PDES”
“As an alumnus, [for future participants] I would like to offer this reminder: By citing the famous words by Dr. Clark, “be ambitious”. In order to render this program more fruitful for you, I greatly recommend that you decide firmly what you want to do and experience throughout this program and pursue that with strong motivation.”
Hiromi Miwa
Keio University
Applied Chemistry
Research Host Lab: Bao Lab, Bioengineering, Rice University
Research Project Poster: “Identifying and validating CRISPR/Cas9 off-target activity”
“This program provided a chance to meet people from many different communities. If we belong to the laboratory, our relationships are limited, so our perspectives tend to be narrow. However, in this program, I could talk with so many people. Depending on the community, viewpoints can be totally different.”
Soya Miyoshi
Tohoku University
Electrical, Information and Physics Engineering
Research Host Lab: Zhong Lab, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Rice University
Research Project Poster: “Complexity Analysis of Massive Wireless Imaging”
“First, I met many people. It has been great to hear whatever stories or advice they gave me. Second, I developed an interest in a different culture and language. In particular, I had the chance to learn not only about America, but also China. Third, I got to know about the life of a Ph.D. student in America. Fourth, I learned a lot about the Argos project and the technology that helps our lives directly.”
Toshihiro Takada
Ristumeikan University
Environmental Systems Engineering
Research Host Lab: Ajayan Lab, Materials Science & Nanoengineering, Rice University
Research Project Poster: “Synthesis and Characterization of Metal-Organic Frameworks for Multifunctional Applications”
“When I meet students at my university, I would tell them that how important it is to joina research internship abroad, and in particular I want to recommend it to those who want to become a scientist in the future. Few undergraduate students have joined such a research experience and get learn what research is like in the U.S., so I strongly recommend Japanese students in science fields to participate in this Nakatani RIES program.”
Tatsuya Tanaka
Waseda University
Mechanical Engineering
Research Host Lab: Tezduyar Lab, Mechanical Engineering, Rice University
Research Project Poster: “Fluid and Structural Mechanics Analysis of the Orion Spacecraft Drogue Parachute in Compressible-Flow Regime”
“If somebody is interested in the Nakatani RIES Fellowship, I want to say “Be full of fighting spirit and taking a positive part in any activity”. This program will give you great opportunities however, it’s all up to you whether make or break this chance.”
Yunong Wang
Toyota Technological Institute
Materials Science
Research Host Lab: Li Lab, Civil & Environmental Engineering, Rice UniversityResearch Project Poster: “Capacitive Deionization Using Activated Carbon Super Capacitor for Water Desalination”
“Every morning when I open my eyes I always think how lucky I am to be a member of the 2016 Nakatni RIES Japanese Fellows. This is the first time I visited America. Studying in the U.S. used to be my dream when I was a high school student… Today, I’m actually doing my research at Rice University…I have to thank the Nakatani Foundation, my host professor at Rice and all the people related to this program. My dream which I gave up before, now it’s restarting again.”
Ayaka Yoshida
Waseda University
Modern Mechanical Engineering
Research Host Lab: Tezduyar Lab, Mechanical Engineering, Rice University
Research Project Poster: “Isogeometric Discretization of Branched Artery Models for FSI Computations”
“…the most important thing I learned from the Nakatani RIES Fellowship program is push yourself out of your comfort zone. It will always be much easier to keep yourself in the place where you feel comfortable. But it somehow limits yourself, and sometimes maybe you may miss opportunities for personal growth or life experience.”
