The 2nd NIBB-EMBL PhD Mini-Symposium 2011 and The 13th International EMBL PhD Symposium

Seven PhD students from NIBB, three from Nagoya University and one from Kyoto University (total 11 students) were funded by NIBB to participate in the 2nd NIBB-EMBL PhD Mini-Symposium 2011 (held on 16 November) and the 13th International EMBL PhD Symposium “The Rhythm of Life”(held on 17-19 November). Our students had the chance to give oral presentations at the mini-symposium and poster presentations at the PhD symposium to introduce their current research. They also attended Lab tours to visit some EMBL laboratories and facilities to exchange experimental information and discuss their research with PhD students, post-docs and PIs.

(NIBB Yoshiaki Kamada)

《comments from students》

Among the many great experiences I had During the EMBL PhD Symposium were chances to meet and interact with other students like myself, to tour the EMBL facilities, and to give a talk in professor Marcus Heisler’s lab. Because he has been such a pioneer in my field of plant development, I sent a personal email to Professor Heisler to ask for the chance to talk with him during the symposium. He replied and suggested I give a presentation to the members of his lab. Because I have never been very comfortable giving presentations in English I was worried whether I would be understood. However, I was relieved as my presentation seemed to be received with great interest. In addition, because my ideas were approved of it has given me more confidence in my research.

(NIBB Miyuki Nakata)

This visit to EMBL was my first trip to Europe and my first English oral presentation. First I must thank the people who took the time to help me in my preparations. Of course I received a lot of advice from the members of my lab, but I also had help from the other students who visited EMBL as we repeatedly practiced together, and from the international students at NIBB who helped make my presentation easier to understand. It was a lot of work but it was also an excellent experience. Because of the help of all these people I think I gave my best presentation possible. I also feel that my motivation to give good English presentations, as well as to do good research has grown remarkably due to this experience. Going forward I hope to use this experience as an encouragement to work toward my future.

(NIBB Emiko Yoro)

In addition to the students from EMBL many students from around the world participated in this symposium. Seeing that people from Germany and places like Kazakhstan which is so much colder than the already very cold Germany, and Italy where fashion is so much more a part of their culture than in Germany, all work hard at their research through trial and error in the same way gave me a new feeling of connection to them all. Seeing that people from various countries with different cultures and different languages can all discuss their research together influenced me greatly.

(NIBB Moe Tokue)

　I highly appreciate NIBB for providing us an opportunity to attend the mini PhD symposium at EMBL. It was an eye opening experience. The travelling and lodging were great. EMBL students were wonderful and co-operative. We, the NIBB students got to present our works both in oral and poster presentations. We got lots of feedback from the EMBL students and some Professors during the 13th EMBL PhD Symposium. Many researchers around the globe working on Biology had come to advise and expose their wonderful works. Their works encourage us even more to love science. Not to forget the good food over there, Heidelberg is a small, beautiful city, very much similar to Okazaki. Such a wonderful and peaceful city, no wonder many researchers come up with good inspirations and works. I would encourage many of our aspiring NIBB students not to miss this opportunity of knowledge sharing/exchange amongst different Universities and to make many new friends.––

(NIBB　Chimwar Wanglar)

　I very much enjoyed the 13th International EMBL PhD Student Symposium and the beautiful city, Heidelberg. At the symposium, I had many chances to explain my research to lots of EMBL students and invited speakers. I gained lots of valuable experience from my first English discussions. Because some invited speakers stayed at the hotel we stayed, I had some talks with them at breakfast time. It was exciting experience. I was surprised that the symposium was organized by only EMBL students and felt EMBL students' high motivations and deep knowledge from the quality of this symposium. Some EMBL students showed us around the EMBL. Talking with them and learning how the students' life in EBML is broadened my horizons. It was also nice for me to get to know the students from NIBB and Nagoya University. I thank everyone who helped me in this travel.

(Kyoto University　Tomoaki Muranaka)