[No. 215] Mikiko Motomuro

I am deeply honored to have this opportunity to contribute to the Keio University Alumni Rai-Ou. I would like to express my gratitude to Professor Funahashi for recommending me.

At university, I studied in a systems biology laboratory, researching biology using information technology. In my current job, I work as an engineer solving problems in the biological and medical fields using technologies like AI. Since my research and current work are closely related, I feel that my university education has been invaluable to me. By reflecting on my journey from my university days to the present, I hope to offer some insights to those considering their future paths and careers.

When considering my future career, I vaguely thought I wanted to work in research and development, which led me to choose the Faculty of Science and Technology. I selected a school category that allowed me to choose from the Department of Chemistry, the Department of Applied Chemistry, or the Department of Biosciences and Informatics, for the simple reason that I was good at chemistry. The subjects taught at university were completely different from those in high school, which became a major factor in deciding my department. Ultimately, I decided to specialize in biology on a more visible scale rather than micro-level chemistry, and so I entered the Department of Biosciences and Informatics.

I dedicated most of my university life to activities in a big band jazz club. I had many intense experiences, from inviting international artists every year to traveling to New York and winning the national competition two years in a row.

Even so, I believe I pursued my studies without compromise. Influenced by my mother, who is a middle school math teacher, I considered becoming a teacher as a career option and obtained teaching licenses for both science and mathematics. People around me said it would be difficult to get licenses for two subjects when even one is a challenge, but I started with both, thinking I could always quit later. In the end, I managed to obtain both.

After joining the laboratory, research became a significant part of my life. I learned a great deal that is useful in my current job, not just knowledge related to my research topic, but also how to approach and communicate about problems. My research theme was to elucidate the mechanism by which cell positions are controlled during the developmental process using physical simulations. I enjoyed the feeling of reaching the truth by accumulating evidence from each experiment, and I was grateful for an environment where I could have uncompromising discussions with lab members and professors. Compiling my research into a graduation thesis and a master's thesis was quite a challenge, but at the final presentation, I was able to present my research with pride and a sense of accomplishment.

In parallel with my research, I started an internship during my first year of the master's program at LPixel, the venture company where I currently work. I first learned about the company when my mother, who had recorded a TV program, told me, "There's a company doing something similar to your research, you should check it out."

I wanted a job that would utilize my research, but I hadn't thought of a specific role. After contacting the company several times through their application form, I managed to secure an internship and later became a full-time employee. I feel that my encounter with and joining LPixel was due to what is often called "go-en," or a fateful connection.

In my current position, I work as an AI engineer, solving challenges for various companies, including major pharmaceutical firms, using image analysis and AI. In many fields, including life sciences, data is still often checked visually, which lacks quantitativity and efficiency. To help create an environment where researchers can immerse themselves in their work, I provide analysis tailored to each specific problem. I find it rewarding to collaborate with researchers and developers from various fields to make new discoveries and create new value.

Looking back on my choices, there have been times when I felt I made a decision that wasn't the "right" one. However, I also believe that what is considered "right" can change depending on your perspective. A choice that seems like a failure now might one day be seen as a valuable experience.

It may sound cliché, but every experience—successes, failures, and even those of uncertain utility—has shaped who I am today. I would like to take this opportunity to express my deepest gratitude to my family for giving me chances, to my teachers and colleagues for creating a supportive environment, and to my friends and juniors, past and present, for sharing wonderful times with me.

To all of you who are about to enter university or start your careers, I hope you will take on various challenges and have many experiences that will become a part of who you are.