[No. 76] Shiho Hakomori

I am currently in my third year working at Sony. When you think of Sony, you probably think of its representative consumer electronics like TVs and Walkmans, but I am involved in a field different from this well-known face of Sony. Specifically, I am engaged in research and development related to medicine and healthcare, which I majored in during my university years. It is a very stimulating environment where I can utilize my expertise while witnessing cutting-edge technologies that will lead to future electronic products.

I believe that I am able to lead a fulfilling professional life thanks to my experiences at Keio University. Amidst this, I was honored to receive a request to write this article, so I have decided to take up my pen, presumptuous as it may be, to convey even a little of the appeal of Keio University.

I entered the Faculty of Science and Technology in School 1 and advanced to the Department of Applied Physics and Physico-Informatics in my second year. I chose the Department of Applied Physics and Physico-Informatics because I strongly wanted to join the Arai Laboratory, which I visited during a campus tour at the Yagami Festival (the cultural festival of the Faculty of Science and Technology). Attracted by the rewarding research in medical engineering and the vibrant atmosphere among the students, I dreamed of joining the Arai Laboratory, which naturally motivated me to study hard.

Until my second year, I studied fundamental subjects related to science, starting with physics. In my third year, once I had built up this fundamental strength, the professors, as if they had been waiting, began to offer classes directly connected to their own research fields. I was able to learn about technologies active in the world, such as MRI, optical fibers for communication, and control engineering, which satisfied my intellectual curiosity.

Another characteristic of the Department of Applied Physics and Physico-Informatics is that it covers a wide range of fields. Therefore, each class felt fresh, and the 90-minute sessions flew by. Although there were difficult assignments in classes and experiments, thanks to the interesting content and friends with whom I could compete and improve, I was able to enjoy tackling the assignments and gained a sense of accomplishment each time. I still regularly go out for meals and trips with those friends.

Well, my wish came true, and as I advanced to my fourth year, I was able to join my desired Arai Laboratory. Thanks to Professor Arai, I was able to deepen my knowledge of medical engineering and, at the same time, gain many valuable experiences.

Externally, these included conference presentations, meetings with doctors and companies, writing papers in English, and filing patent applications. In particular, I was able to frequently attend academic conferences both in Japan and abroad, and it was a wonderful experience to interact with authoritative figures. Also, the joy I felt when I received questions and comments on my research at BIOS, a famous international conference in the field of medical engineering, was exceptional. Furthermore, I was able to experience firsthand the differences in research styles between countries and the changing global trends, learning the necessity and difficulty of research and development with a global perspective.

Internally, there were academic affairs, colloquiums, group meetings, and summer training camps, which, like conference presentations, helped me hone my presentation skills. I was also able to develop skills in planning experiments, advancing research as a group, and mentoring others.

And even now, as a working professional, the skills I acquired and the things I felt through my experiences as a student serve as a foundation for my work.

The most challenging time during my student life was the winter of my second year in graduate school, when I was in the final push for my master's thesis and also had an international conference presentation. However, the atmosphere that the senior students from the lab's early days had built together with Professor Arai became my support. Specifically, there was an environment where we could naturally discuss and consult with each other about our research on a daily basis, transcending the boundaries of our groups. Thanks to this, I believe we were able to help each other and get through even the busiest times. The members of the laboratory with whom I spent such an intense time—seniors, peers, and juniors alike—are an irreplaceable presence for me even after graduation.

I could go on forever about my valuable experiences during my time as a student, so I have focused here on my life at the Yagami Campus, but Keio University provides an environment to expand your potential through opportunities like internships and exchange programs.

What you experience in addition to your academic studies is up to you. I encourage you to visit Keio University, where you can be inspired by those around you and broaden your horizons, and listen to what various people have to say. I hope you will then find the path you should take, the path you want to take.