[No. 94] Tatsushi Kodama

I am currently involved in research on cancer treatments at Chugai Pharmaceutical's Research Centers and Institutes in Kamakura, and I enjoy sports and traveling on my days off. If I hadn't entered the Faculty of Science and Technology at Keio University, my life would likely be very different now. I would like to take this opportunity to write freely about my candid thoughts from that time and my current interests.

In high school, I was absorbed in playing basketball as a club activity and didn't think much about my future. With a vague idea of becoming an architect, I enrolled in the Faculty of Science and Technology at Keio University. To gain knowledge of architecture, I took a course in architectural history during my first year of university, which I found fascinating. I was able to learn about the differences in architecture across various eras and regions around the world. I was particularly drawn to the works and words of Mies van der Rohe, one of the masters of 20th-century architecture. While I had almost decided to pursue a path in architecture, I was moved by the wonders of life when I learned about the genetic code—the blueprint of life—in a required biology class. This inspired me to decide to advance to the Department of Biosciences and Informatics to study it in more detail. The Faculty of Science and Technology has a system called "Gakumon-sei," where students do not need to choose their department before enrolling but decide when advancing to their second year. I believe this system was well-suited for me. When I think about how that decision led me to where I am today, I find life to be quite mysterious.

Wanting to conduct research that connects the genetic code of life with medicine, I joined the Yanagawa Laboratory for three years, from my fourth year of university through my master's program. I worked on research that could contribute to future regenerative medicine under the theme "Network Analysis of Molecules Necessary for the Production of iPS Cells." I will omit the details of the research, but I gained a great deal of experience by conducting experiments while having discussions with my professor, senior students, and friends; presenting the results at academic conferences; and sometimes acquiring experimental techniques and engaging in discussions at Keio's School of Medicine. Alongside my research, I also practiced seriously for the softball tournament within the Faculty of Science and Technology, where we finished as runners-up, and I also played my favorite sport, basketball. I believe I was able to lead such a life thanks to being blessed with good friends.

In a graduate school class, I learned that it takes many years for a new drug to reach the market. This made me want to contribute to bringing good medicines to the world more quickly, so I decided to seek employment at a pharmaceutical company. I hadn't been researching drugs in the first place, and I started my job search without a clear understanding of what kinds of pharmaceutical companies existed. Therefore, I gathered a lot of information not only from friends at my university but also by becoming friendly with people from other universities I met during my job search. Of course, the recruitment websites of each company are also interesting and useful, so I felt that a balance of information was important.

As fate would have it, I joined Chugai Pharmaceutical, where I am currently engaged in research on new cancer treatments. In the field of cancer therapeutics, the development of drugs called "molecularly targeted drugs," which are expected to have high efficacy and safety, has been actively pursued in recent years, and I am playing a part in this. For example, I am engaged in "translational research" that connects information from actual clinical settings with basic research. This involves understanding at a molecular level why existing drugs are less effective in some patients and investigating whether new drug candidates show strong effects in such cases. I find it rewarding to be able to contribute to patients suffering from cancer by gathering information from meetings for joint research with medical institutions and discussions with physicians at academic conferences, and then applying that information to my research. Recently, I have also had more opportunities to give presentations both inside and outside the company, and I feel that the scope of my work is expanding.

In my private life, I am active in the company's basketball club. I also recently completed a full marathon at the Shonan International Marathon. I still can't forget the cheers from my company seniors and strangers along the course. Strangers would even offer me their cooling spray. Even now, I refresh my mind by running with colleagues near the company in the Kamakura/Enoshima area after work, and around the Imperial Palace on my days off. During long holidays, I traveled with friends from work to Southeast Asia and Europe. I find it fascinating not only to communicate with local people and experience unfamiliar cultures but also to see World Heritage architecture up close. I am currently planning my next trip. The architectural history I studied as a university student has come in handy. One of my personal dreams is to challenge myself to run a full marathon abroad, which would allow me to enjoy both running a marathon and traveling overseas at the same time. It may be a cliché, but perhaps the Honolulu Marathon.

In my work, I hope to create groundbreaking cancer treatments through my involvement and contribute to many patients. I would like to present these achievements to the world at academic conferences both in Japan and abroad. In my private life, in addition to traveling overseas and playing sports, I hope to find new hobbies as well.