Independent Study

In Independent Study, many research themes are set in the fields of basic and clinical medical sciences, and students select and take themes they are interested in. For four months during the third year (the three months of July, September, and October, plus one month of summer vacation), students dedicate themselves to research on their chosen theme. The research process is determined through discussions with the academic advisor. In some cases, research progresses significantly in four months, while in others, the four months may end after being spent entirely on trial and error. Our wish as faculty is not necessarily for medical students to accumulate successful experiences in research. Of course, it is gratifying when a student achieves success corresponding to their efforts (which in this case would be obtaining the desired data), but rather, we also expect students to have painful experiences, such as things not going as planned or experiencing how a lack of preparation leads directly to a major failure. There may be times when they feel depressed because they do not agree with their academic advisor. They may also feel disappointed to learn that a proposed experiment has already been conducted by someone else in the world and that their hypothesis has already been resolved. We, the faculty, believe that every experience is necessary for the growth of the student.

To begin with, only a small fraction of what we know about life is understood. We approach life with such a humble attitude, repeating thought experiments of "it's not this, it's not that," and actually engaging in trial and error. During those four months, students try doing what they can within their reach, following their own thirst for knowledge. By doing so, they come into contact with the greatness, mystery, and complexity of life. This experience is about touching the essence of medical and biological research and forms the basis of jitsugaku (science), which is the philosophy of Keio University. All academic advisors will fully support this experience.

Starting in 2023, Independent Study at external and overseas facilities, such as the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) and Johns Hopkins University, has also become possible. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the researchers at other institutions who supervise our students' research.

Even after the Independent Study period ends, some students continue their research and present their results at academic conferences. Some work even harder and have their work accepted as an English-language paper. It is impossible for a student to achieve conference presentations or paper creation alone; it is always a collaborative effort with the academic advisor. Through these voluntary tasks, we hope for further growth as an independent individual.

Since it was a research period spanning several months, I decided that if I had the chance, I would do something I couldn't do within the School of Medicine, so I did a short-term internship at OIST for about two months with a scholarship and almost no out-of-pocket expenses. At OIST, I belonged to a lab called the Pi-Conjugated Polymers Unit and synthesized unknown organic compounds. I chose a laboratory slightly removed from medical sciences, but it is also possible to choose biological labs such as those researching neurons. It was a very stimulating and fleeting two months where I could learn ways of thinking and techniques from fields different from medical sciences and experience cutting-edge research and a wonderful environment.

I did an internship for four months at Professor Tomoyuki Takahashi's Cellular and Molecular Synaptic Function Unit at OIST. After mastering an electrophysiological experimental method called the patch-clamp technique, I conducted experiments with specific goals. Thanks to the kind guidance of my supervisor, Dr. Tetsuya Hori, and others, I was able to spend my weekdays immersed in research. Outside the lab, I was able to interact with students and scientists from all over the world, such as by participating in the OIST volleyball club practices. I am grateful to Keio University and OIST for providing this program, including the scholarship, and for giving me such a valuable experience.

Through the experience of proactive and independent basic research activities at JHU, in addition to acquiring experimental techniques, I felt the joy of designing research myself to solve my own questions. I was able to engage in activities while receiving daily stimulation through exposure to various opinions in discussions and conversations with researchers from a wide range of backgrounds, including fields other than medical sciences. In addition to research activities, I was able to learn firsthand about the working styles of American researchers and doctors, as well as the research systems for doctors, which became an irreplaceable experience in my life.

For me, who had given up on the idea that the School of Medicine and studying abroad were compatible, this was a unique opportunity. Spending four months immersed in science at the world-top JHU, I feel that my thinking toward research has grown. I was able to attend numerous seminars and even had the opportunity to give an oral presentation of my work at the end, making it a very dense and productive time. I was also able to deepen my friendship with local students aiming for American medical schools, and I think we were able to provide good stimulation to each other. Although I was quite concerned about the weak yen and high prices, thanks to the generous support from the School of Medicine, I was able to devote myself to research activities without worrying about living expenses at all.