[No. 126] Satoko Kezuka

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to everyone involved for giving me the opportunity to write for the Alumni Relay Column. Looking back on my life at Keio University, I am reminded of how much I was supported by many professors, senior and junior students, and friends, and how I continue to be supported by them to this day. In this article, I would like to trace my memories from my undergraduate and graduate school days, and also briefly introduce my current situation.

Thanks in part to having wonderful science teachers, I have loved science since I was a child. Also, because my grandfather worked in chemistry, I had a vague idea that I wanted to pursue a research position at a company in the future and create products that would be useful to the world. However, by the time I was entering university, my interests were wide-ranging, including environmental issues, biology in general (including life phenomena), and pharmaceuticals, so it was difficult to narrow down my choice to a single faculty and department. Therefore, I decided to enroll in Keio University's Cluster III, which would allow me to study a wide range of subjects after admission and then choose a department. After attending the information session for department assignments, I had to choose between the Department of Chemistry and the Department of Applied Chemistry. I chose the Department of Chemistry because I was drawn to its small, welcoming atmosphere and felt a passionate enthusiasm for research.

Furthermore, since I had entered a comprehensive university, I wanted to make friends from other faculties, so I joined a tennis club called "Keikyukai Hard Tennis Club" and enjoyed tennis and other events. The club's training camps during the long summer and spring breaks also left me with fond memories, and being involved in the club's management was a valuable experience. Then, during the summer break of my second year, I and two senior members of the club happened to decide, "Let's cycle around Shikoku!" We traveled from Matsuyama to Uwajima, Ekawasaki, Kubokawa, Kochi, Awa-Ikeda (this part by train), Tokushima, and Naruto. The people I met on the trip, the bicycle that got a flat tire along the way, the scenery of the sea and mountains—everything is a good memory.

As I studied in the Department of Chemistry, I became interested in "catalysts," which do not change themselves but mediate chemical reactions, influencing their speed and pathways. Also, through various classes, I was simply motivated by the seemingly interesting process of constructing compounds through organic synthesis, so I joined Professor Toru Yamada's laboratory for my graduation research. Professor Yamada had just moved from a company to the university at that time, and it was a valuable experience to be involved as an undergraduate student while he was launching new research. Furthermore, as my graduation research reached its climax, Professor Yamada began conducting experiments at the lab bench opposite mine, and for about a month, I was able to experience his research methods firsthand. His uncompromising attitude toward research was immense pressure for a student. However, when the research got on track and went well, there was an atmosphere of shared joy throughout the lab, and we continued our daily research efforts looking forward to the customary donut parties. We also had fun with monthly events, balancing our work and personal lives.

When my research was somewhat complete, I began attending academic conferences. My first international conference was in Taiwan, and I attended with just two other students, a senior and a junior. It's strange how the memories of our eventful journey are more vivid than those of the presentations and other lectures.

In the winter of my second year in the Doctoral Programs, just as I was about to start job hunting, I was fortunate to receive an offer from Professor Ryo Takeuchi, who was scheduled to move to Aoyama Gakuin University, and I decided to take a job with one year remaining in my program. Until then, I had never considered becoming a university faculty member, so I struggled greatly with teaching. However, I was able to gain a variety of experiences, including learning from the students themselves and discovering the joy of teaching. Later, I moved to my current university, where I have been pursuing new research in a new environment to this day. Until now, I had been conducting research on how to efficiently synthesize organic compounds, but recently I have also started research aimed at discovering substances necessary for improving and enhancing QOL, which has led to many new encounters. I have met many people with connections to Keio, and I am constantly amazed by the breadth of that network.

After entering university, I faced numerous turning points and chose my path each time after much deliberation. Although I am on a slightly different path from the future I envisioned when I entered university, I feel that none of my choices were mistakes. With a young child who is still five years old, I often feel pressed for time, but I am grateful to be able to continue my work with the help of those around me, and I try to make as much time as possible for my child at home.