Rising Japanese scientists visit Carolina, explore collaboration
December 6, 2024UNC Global Affairs
Four scientists from Japanese universities, selected by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), visited Carolina to network with faculty and discuss opportunities for potential research collaboration.
This November, four scientists from Japanese universities, selected by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), similar to the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF), traveled to Chapel Hill for a fast-paced, five-day series of workshops, presentations, site visits and networking.
The program’s purpose was to generate new collaboration between Japanese universities and UNC-Chapel Hill by developing ASPIRE grant projects, which JST funds. Through the ASPIRE grant, JST funds a Japanese visiting scholar to conduct research at UNC-Chapel Hill for up to three years, plus travel expenses for both the scholar and Carolina faculty partner. UNC Global Affairs designed the program to introduce the scientists — Yoshikazu Ohno, Shinichi Sato, Takafumi Miyamoto and Kiroyuki Kubota — to Carolina and prospective research partners.
According to Associate Provost for Global Affairs Heather Ward, the opportunity to organize this program is a direct result of the University’s interdisciplinary delegation which visited Japan in December 2023. The group met with JST leaders and other funding agencies in Tokyo to discuss greater collaboration and funding.
“When Japan’s premier universities think of a good partner — with academic excellence and groundbreaking research — we want them to think of Carolina,” Ward said. “We saw the benefit of cultivating deeper relationships with Japanese universities and agencies like JST, and after more than a year of this concerted effort, JST asked us — and only us — to organize this program for their rising scientists.”
Tim Rose, associate director for exchange and sponsored programs at UNC Global Affairs, organized and led the program, which brought together faculty, staff and administrators from across the University. The Japanese scientists participated in workshops on data science with faculty from the UNC School of Data Science and Society, and they visited Innovate Carolina, the UNC Department of Chemistry, the Marchetti Lab, the UNC Neuroscience Microscopy Core, the UNC Metabolomics and Proteomics (MAP) Core, Koji Sode’s biomolecular engineering lab, and Wubin Bai’s biosensing lab in applied physical sciences.
Networking was a critical part of the experience for the scientists and Carolina faculty. UNC Global Affairs organized a luncheon for the scientists to present their research to Carolina faculty working in similar fields, and an evening networking reception for faculty, staff and administrators interested in working more closely with Japanese universities to meet the scientists.
“This collaboration epitomizes why UNC Global Affairs is here,” Vice Provost for Global Affairs and Chief Global Officer Barbara Stephenson said. “We spot opportunities, across the University and around the world, to support Carolina faculty and students as they grapple with some of the world’s grand challenges. Carolina’s excellence is amplified through deliberate and strategic global partnerships, and JST is that kind of partner.”
In addition to the four scientists, three JST representatives joined the week-long visit to Carolina, including Masaki Sato and Yoko Yamaguchi from JST’s Tokyo headquarters and Takeshi Usami, director of JST’s office in Washington, D.C. During the visit, they asked UNC Global Affairs to plan for future groups of JST-sponsored scientists to visit Chapel Hill.
“Participating in the program was an enlightening experience,” said Yamaguchi, advisor in JST’s Department of International Affairs. “I deeply appreciate the warm hospitality and the thoughtful design of the program, which left a lasting impression on me. I believe this program could become a cornerstone for promoting sustainable global research collaboration.”
JST hopes the scientists apply for and receive ASPIRE grants to conduct research at Carolina. Anyone interested in learning more about opportunities to engage with Japan, including the ASPIRE grant program, can contact Heather Ward (heather.ward@unc.edu).