[No. 207] Eri Tanaka

Thank you for this opportunity to contribute to the Keio University alumni Relay Column.

After spending my first two years at the Faculty of Science and Technology, Keio University at the Hiyoshi Campus, I went to Marseille, France, as an exchange student in the double degree program and attended a local university for two years. After returning to Japan, I enrolled in the fall semester at the Graduate School of Science and Technology, Keio University,* and after completing a two-year master's program, I received master's degrees from both Keio University and my host university abroad. I then studied abroad in Edinburgh, UK, for three years to pursue my Doctoral Programs and obtained my PhD. After returning to Japan, I joined a chemical manufacturer in Japan and have been working in a research and development position ever since.

*Under the regulations of the double degree program, I am officially considered to have withdrawn from the undergraduate program.

Fascinated by the depth of chemistry in high school, I decided to apply to the Faculty of Science and Technology. I have also been interested in environmental issues since I was a child, and at some point, I became particularly interested in solar power generation—that is, power generation using light as an energy source. When I first entered university, I had the impression that solar cells were a field of physics, but I was drawn to chemistry as a discipline, so I had a hard time choosing my department. In the Department of Applied Chemistry, which I ultimately chose, I had the opportunity to study various types of chemistry-related subjects and found that fields such as physical chemistry and materials chemistry were close to my interests. It was then that I heard about the double degree program, which would allow me to obtain two master's degrees by studying at both Keio's Faculty of Science and Technology and Graduate School of Science and Technology and an École Centrale (a French Grande École for science and engineering) in France. To me, this seemed like a great opportunity to broaden my horizons while continuing my studies in science and technology, so I applied. Although I was a little worried about whether I could keep up with the classes at my study abroad destination, I was assigned to École Centrale de Marseille, which focuses on chemistry among the partner schools, and I resolved to take on the challenge.

Since all classes at my host university were conducted in French, I spent the summer vacation of my third undergraduate year on language training in Vichy, France. In the early fall, I moved to Marseille, where I managed to get through classes alongside local students, enveloped in the relaxed pace of southern France and the unique energy of a port city.

Mandatory classes such as mathematics, physics, chemistry, programming, bookkeeping, and physical education were scheduled every day from morning to evening, and in addition, events such as sports tournaments organized by the student council were held regularly. My first year passed by in a whirlwind, and I barely avoided repeating the year as I moved on to my second. Fortunately, my comprehension of the classes improved in my second year, and I managed to earn all the required credits. Being able to take subjects such as solar power generation and semiconductor engineering at Centrale Marseille was a great asset in my subsequent career choices. Furthermore, the scenery, people, and diverse values I encountered during my study abroad broadened my horizons more than I had expected before going to France.

After two years of studying abroad, I enrolled in the fall semester of the master's program at Keio. I visited several laboratories where I thought I could conduct research related to solar cells and was ultimately assigned to the laboratory of Professor Shinobu Fujihara in the Department of Applied Chemistry.

In the master's program, I deepened my knowledge of ceramics and solution methods while enthusiastically working on improving the electron transport materials of dye-sensitized solar cells, which operate on a chemical mechanism. Looking back now, as a master's student who had not gone through the process of writing a graduation thesis, I think there were many times I must have caused trouble for my professors. However, they provided me with thorough and kind guidance on everything from how to write formal documents to the mindset of a researcher, allowing me to have a fulfilling research life. With financial support from a scholarship from the Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO) and a research grant from the Kato Foundation for the Promotion of Science, my first experiences with conference presentations and paper writing in the Fujihara Laboratory paved the way for my subsequent research career. I also have fond memories of the lab's training camp and performing with my club mates at a music concert on the Yagami Campus.

To build an international foundation for my research activities as a researcher, I wanted to obtain my PhD abroad. This is slightly out of chronological order, but in the summer just before entering the master's program, I had a two-month research internship under Professor Neil Robertson at the University of Edinburgh in the UK. I was greatly inspired by the international research environment and public engagement activities (various activities in which experts give back to the community through their expertise) that I encountered at that time. Therefore, I applied for a scholarship from the Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO) and successfully entered the Doctoral Programs in the Robertson research group as a scholarship student. There, I tackled research on chemical-based solar cell materials from a new perspective and was fortunate to have opportunities for collaborative research with research groups from various countries, including the UK, Sweden, Russia, and Japan. In addition to research, I challenged myself in various other areas, including assisting with student experiments, planning outreach classes, and working as a live-in resident assistant in a student dormitory. My research and other activities both on and off campus in Edinburgh were not always easy, but by persevering with the support of those around me, I was able to receive an award from the university.

Job hunting during the COVID-19 pandemic was unprecedented, but I was fortunate to find a position as a researcher at a chemical manufacturer in Japan. My daily work is centered on experiments and analysis, so in that sense, it is not much different from my time at university. On the other hand, for a manufacturer, the greatest contribution to society is to release good products, so it is important to approach research themes from the unique perspective of a corporate researcher. This was a major discovery for me personally. Outside of my main job, I leverage my experience with public engagement activities in Edinburgh to participate in living lab activities conducted in collaboration between the company and the local community, as well as in building communities that promote international exchange within the company. Based on my two study abroad experiences, I have come to recognize the importance of these activities.

Finally... when I'm faced with a big decision, I try to think it through completely. And when I still can't reach a conclusion after exhausting all my thoughts, I find that taking a step forward often opens up a path in a good direction. I will continue to move forward, always remembering to be grateful.