Tokyo Tech News

Suzukake Science Day 2022 held in hybrid format

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Published: July 13, 2022

Suzukake Science Day 2022, an open-day event for children, prospective students, and other members of the public which focuses on activities on Tokyo Tech's Suzukakedai Campus, was successfully held in hybrid format on May 14 and 15. Suzukakedai Open Campus, which included Institute-wide and School-specific graduate-level information sessions, was held mainly online over the same weekend.

Suzukake Science Day is all about sharing the joys and experiences that science and technology offer, introducing to the public the cutting-edge research conducted at Tokyo Tech laboratories, and encouraging budding scientists and engineers to find their paths at the Institute. After a complete cancellation in 2020 and an online event in 2021 due to the pandemic, Tokyo Tech friends welcomed the chance to enjoy the celebration both virtually and face to face this year.

Saturday, May 14 — Route 16 and Japan: A special lecture

Professor Yanase
Professor Yanase

On May 14, author and Tokyo Tech Professor Hiroichi Yanase gave a lecture on "Route 16 and Japan," revealing secrets about one of the main thoroughfares in the Kanto region through topographical, historical, cultural, and economic perspectives. The lecture about Route 16 — which runs just southwest of Suzukakedai Campus — was joined by approximately 120 participants both in person and online, many of whom had plenty to ask during the Q&A session that followed.

Route 16, shaped like a horseshoe, runs both along Tokyo Bay and the hilly prefectures surrounding the metropolitan area

Route 16, shaped like a horseshoe, runs both along Tokyo Bay and the hilly prefectures surrounding the metropolitan area

Sunday, May 15 — Organization for Fundamental Research members introduce their challenging research topics

On May 15, four young researchers affiliated with the Organization for Fundamental Research (OFR), established in July 2018 as a place to foster specialists in fundamental research who will provide strong support for academia in the future, provided easy-to-understand talks about the challenging research they are currently working on. Approximately 80 people tuned in both in person and online. This session, like the one on the previous day, closed with a lively Q&A session.

OFR lectures

(from left) OFR Director Naoto Ohtake, Assoc. Prof. Shirane, Asst. Profs. Miki, Sato, and Toma

(from left) OFR Director Naoto Ohtake, Assoc. Prof. Shirane, Asst. Profs. Miki, Sato, and Toma

Twenty labs invite public to explore their activities virtually

This year, 20 Tokyo Tech research laboratories representing various fields opened their doors to the public online. Based on their daily research activities, members from these labs introduced various topics that included explanations of common illnesses, experiments using microorganisms and other objects around us, and a look at the latest research equipment at the Institute. Most labs also provided real-time interactive and on-demand research introductions in addition to their Open Campus information sessions.

Talks by 20 labs that joined Suzukake Science Day 2022

  • Human interface that utilizes muscle activity
    Koike Lab
    Professor Yasuharu Koike, Institute of Innovative Research (IIR)
  • AI doctor: The world of AI-aided diagnostic imaging
    Kenji Suzuki Laboratory
    Professor Kenji Suzuki, IIR
  • Experiencing scent through virtual reality
    Nakamoto Lab
    Professor, Takamichi Nakamoto, IIR
  • Interfaces to understand one’s own brain
    Yoshimura Lab
    Associate Professor Natsue Yoshimura, IIR
  • Manipulating molecule orientation with light to create new functions
    Shishido-Kubo Group
    Professor Atsushi Shishido, IIR
    Associate Professor Shoichi Kubo, IIR
  • Pencils turn into diamonds!
    Azuma-Yamamoto Group
    Professor Masaki Azuma, IIR
    Associate Professor Takafumi Yamamoto, IIR
  • Useful nano-tools through self-assembly
    Yoshizawa & Sawada Lab
    Professor Michito Yoshizawa, IIR
    Associate Professor Tomohisa Sawada, IIR
  • Alzheimer's and structural biology: Understanding the disease at the molecular level
    Ishii Laboratory
    Professor Yoshitaka Ishii, School of Life Science and Technology
  • Organic chemistry: Origins of biotechnology
    Urabe-Hata Laboratory
    Professor Hirokazu Urabe, School of Life Science and Technology
    Associate Professor Takeshi Hata, School of Life Science and Technology
  • Radiant antibodies: Opening up future diagnostics
    Ueda-Kitaguchi Lab
    Professor Hiroshi Ueda, IIR
    Associate Professor Tetsuya Kitaguchi, IIR
  • Iron in the body: Important yet unknown roles
    Ueno Laboratory
    Professor Takafumi Ueno, School of Life Science and Technology
  • Gene-controlled material transport across the cell membrane — Observing water movement
    Kato Laboratory
    Associate Professor Akira Kato, School of Life Science and Technology
  • How information and materials move in our cells
    Komada Laboratory
    Professor Masayuki Komada, IIR
  • Why people get cancer and possible cures
    Kondoh Lab
    Professor Shinae Kondoh, School of Life Science and Technology
    Assistant Professor Tetsuya Kadonosono, School of Life Science and Technology
  • Welcome to the world of protein science
    Taguchi Lab
    Professor Hideki Taguchi, IIR
  • Organic synthesis: Exploring and manipulating biological functions to discover new drugs
    Nakamura-Okada Laboratory
    Professor Hiroyuki Nakamura, IIR
    Associate Professor Satoshi Okada, IIR
  • Extreme environmental microorganisms with unlimited potential
    Yatsunami Laboratory
    Associate Professor Rie Yatsunami, School of Life Science and Technology
  • The world of microorganisms
    Wachi Laboratory
    Professor Masaaki Wachi, School of Life Science and Technology
  • Intelligent support systems that adjust the "pause"
    Miyake Laboratory
    Professor Yoshihiro Miyake, School of Computing
  • Architecture of the future
    Kono Laboratory
    Professor Susumu Kono, IIR

Kurarika science class guides 45 elementary school students

As in previous years, members of the Tokyo Tech Alumni Association also held Kurarika, an experimental science class that attracted 45 elementary school students and their guardians over the weekend. This year, the participants — joining from all across Japan — created two types of flutes from milk cartons and straws while receiving instructions from Tokyo Tech alumni online. Based on the post-session survey, over 90 percent of students and all guardians said they would like to participate in similar events in the future.

Kurarika members conducting class
Kurarika members conducting class

Despite, the continuing challenges posed by COVID-19, the Tokyo Tech community is looking forward to welcoming participants of all ages at Suzukake Science Day 2023.

Contact

Suzukakedai General Affairs Group, Suzukakedai General Affairs Division, General Affairs Department

Email suzu.som@jim.titech.ac.jp

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