Keio University

Dean-Hosted Keio Medical Science Prize Commemorative Symposium 2023 Held: "Deciphering Life Phenomena through Cellular Responses"

Publish: November 28, 2023
Faculty of Pharmacy/Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences

For Prospective Students (Faculty of Pharmacy), For Prospective Graduate Students, For Current Students, For Alumni, For Companies & Researchers, Science Topics, 11/22/2023

On Friday, November 10, the Keio Medical Science Prize Commemorative Symposium 2023, "Deciphering Life Phenomena through Cellular Responses," hosted by the Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy, was held in the Nakakodo (Medium Auditorium) at the Shiba-Kyoritsu Campus.

A total of 195 students, faculty, and staff members participated, filling the Nakakodo to capacity. The event was such a great success that it was also broadcast live to an overflow room, Classroom 251.

The symposium consisted of three parts: a keynote lecture by the invited Dr. Kazutoshi Mori (Professor, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University), winner of the 28th (2023) Keio Medical Science Prize; general presentations by three students from the Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and one faculty member from the Faculty of Pharmacy; and a Round Table Discussion on designing a career as a researcher.

Following the opening remarks by Makoto Arita, Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy, Part 1 featured presentations on the latest research findings by Yoshino Yonezu (1st year, Ph.D. program, Pharmacology (Division of) ), Seiga Komiyama (2nd year, Ph.D. program, Division of Biochemistry ), Yutaro Kuwashima (3rd year, Ph.D. program, Division of Physiological Chemistry and Metabolism ), and Assistant Professor Naoki Uchihara ( Division of Molecular Oncology and Pharmacology ). The presentations were followed by a lively Q&A session, led by the Part 1 chairs, Associate Professor Azusa Hara and Associate Professor Juntaro Matsuzaki.

Carrying on the enthusiasm from Part 1, Part 2 featured a keynote lecture by Dr. Mori titled "Breakthroughs in Elucidating the Molecular Mechanisms of the Unfolded Protein Response." The audience listened intently as he spoke about his cutting-edge research and his own career. After the lecture, under the guidance of the Part 2 chair, Dean Arita of the Faculty of Pharmacy, many questions were raised from the audience, and Dr. Mori answered each one carefully and passionately.

In Part 3, all the speakers from Parts 1 and 2 took the stage for a Round Table Discussion titled "How Do You Live as a Researcher?" The Part 3 chair, Professor Koji Hase, presented the results of a preliminary survey of students and faculty from the Faculty of Pharmacy and the Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, and the panelists shared their own views in response. Audience members also shared their career concerns and candid thoughts, creating a unified and lively atmosphere in the venue.

After the discussion, guest Professor Emeritus Yusuke Tanigawara (Project Professor, Center for Advanced and Integrated Research and Education) offered words of encouragement to the young researchers. Following this, Hitoshi Misawa, Dean of the Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, gave the closing remarks, bringing the successful event to a close.

For details on the day's program: Keio Medical Science Prize Commemorative Symposium 2023.pdf

About the Keio Medical Science Prize: About the Keio Medical Science Prize - Keio Medical Science Prize - Keio University Medical Science Fund

Dean Arita giving his opening remarks

Dean Arita giving his opening remarks

The packed venue

The packed venue

General presentation by Mr. Yonezu

General presentation by Mr. Yonezu

General presentation by Mr. Komiyama

General presentation by Mr. Komiyama

General presentation by Mr. Kuwashima

General presentation by Mr. Kuwashima

General presentation by Assistant Professor Uchihara

General presentation by Assistant Professor Uchihara

Keynote lecture by Dr. Mori

Keynote lecture by Dr. Mori

Q&A session after the keynote lecture

Q&A session after the keynote lecture

Participants listening intently

Participants listening intently

Round Table Discussion

Round Table Discussion

A friendly atmosphere during the discussion

A friendly atmosphere during the discussion

Dean Misawa of the Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences answering a question during the discussion

Dean Misawa of the Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences answering a question during the discussion

Words from Professor Emeritus Tanigawara

Words from Professor Emeritus Tanigawara

Group photo with all participants

Group photo with all participants