What is the OIST Café?
The OIST Café is a casual science information session to introduce the OIST PhD program, Research Internship, and other workshops.
What does cutting-edge research and education look like? What are the qualifications and criteria to get into Graduate School? What are the career options after graduation? OIST members will meet you to answer all your questions! In addition, two current PhD students will introduce their research and share more about their student life in Okinawa.
Excited to learn more about our programs and what is like to study at OIST?
We offer several information sessions throughout the year in English and Japanese!
Upcoming information sessions (online)
OIST NetCafé English
Date: Friday, August 7, 2026
Time: 10:00 - 11:30 (JST UTC+9)
Language: English
Format: online (zoom)
Speakers:
Sharon Babar (PhD student at the Synapse Biology Unit)
I come from Pakistan's Christian community, a religious minority that remains underrepresented in many areas of society, including higher education. I am proud to be among the first individuals from my community to pursue a PhD in neuroscience and to serve as a source of guidance and encouragement for younger students who aspire to follow a similar path.
I completed my B.Sc. (Hons.) in Biochemistry at Government College University Faisalabad. During my undergraduate studies, I had the opportunity to undertake an internship at OIST under the supervision of Dr. Akihiro Kusumi. The experience introduced me to an international and interdisciplinary research environment that inspired me to later join OIST's PhD program.
I am currently entering my fourth year as a neuroscience PhD student in Prof. Yukiko Goda's lab (Synapse Biology Unit), where I study the protein interactome of astrocytic NMDA receptors. Through this work, I hope to contribute to a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in neurological and neurodegenerative disorders.
Outside the laboratory, I enjoy karaoke, board games, reading novels, cooking, and organizing social gatherings with friends. I always enjoy meeting people from different backgrounds and learning about their experiences and cultures.
Tuan Duc Hoang (PhD student at the Quantum Systems Unit)
I’m Duc, a PhD student from Viet Nam. After finishing my bachelor’s degree in my home country, I moved to Okinawa to join an internship at OIST in the Quantum Systems Unit (Prof. Thomas Busch). There, I was introduced to ultracold atoms and quantum thermodynamics, and I worked on a project involving hybrid quantum algorithms for maximizing energy extraction in quantum battery models. After the internship, I decided to continue my journey at OIST as a PhD student in the same unit. Currently, my research focuses on using ultracold atoms for energy charging, storage, and transfer in quantum batteries. Outside of research, I enjoy swimming and snorkeling in Okinawa’s beautiful ocean, as well as exploring local food and dessert spots.
Register here: OIST NetCafé English - Registration Form
OIST NetCafé Japanese
Date: Friday, August 21, 2026
Time: 10:00 - 11:30 (JST UTC+9)
Language: Japanese
Format: online (zoom)
Speakers:
To be announced
Register here: OIST NetCafé Japanese - Registration Form
Upcoming information sessions (in-person)
OIST Café at OIST Science Studio in Yomitan, Okinawa
Date: Friday, August 29, 2026
Time: 14:00 - 16:00 (JST UTC+9)
Language: Japanese
Format: in person
Speakers:
Jion Tominaga (PhD student at Neural Coding and Brain Computing Unit)
Jion was born in Kanagawa and grew up in the Netherlands. He completed his BEng and MEng at Waseda University, where he investigated semantic processing in the human brain. Before entering the PhD program in 2025, he completed a six-month research internship at OIST. At OIST, he will join the Neural Coding and Brain Computing Unit (PI: Tomoki Fukai), where he will investigate biologically plausible mechanism of learning through computer simulations and neural data analysis. Outside of research, he enjoys football, both watching matches and playing.
Riko Chinen (PhD student at Evolution, Cell Biology, and Symbiosis Unit)
I was born and grew up in Okinawa. I completed my Bachelor's degree at Kyushu University in March 2024, and enrolled in the PhD program at OIST in September. I am currently working in the Evolution, Cell Biology and Symbiosis Unit (supervised by Professor Filip Husnik), where I study the evolutionary mechanisms of coral symbiosis, skeleton formation, and deep-sea adaptation. My hobbies are playing soft tennis, snorkeling, and café-hopping. I'm excited to share my life at OIST.
Venue: OIST Science Studio in Yomitan, Okinawa
Address: ゆんラボ 未来館（館内, 東側, 2901-1 Zakimi, Yomitan, Nakagami District, Okinawa 904-0301)
Register here: OISTCafé in Yomitan, Okinawa - Registration Form
Note: Participation at the event is free, but all costs associated with traveling to the venue must be covered by the participants. For participants from outside Okinawa or Japan, please note that OIST is unable to provide travel, visa or accommodation arrangements.
OIST x NAIST Café - Step into Graduate Schools
OIST and NAIST are coming to the Kansai area!
Interested in cutting-edge science and technology? Wondering what graduate student life is like in Japan’s leading research universities?
Come and learn about the graduate programs offered at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) and Nara Institute of Science and Technology (NAIST). We will introduce master’s and PhD programs, research opportunities, and student life at both institutions.
Staff, students and alumni from NAIST and OIST will be there to share insights into the admissions processes, research environments, and the support available to graduate students.
Join us to discover your next step in your academic journey and hear from people who experienced it firsthand!
About OIST
OIST is an interdisciplinary graduate school offering a fully funded 5-year PhD program as well as a research internship program for students in bachelor’s or master’s programs in STEM fields.
About NAIST
NAIST is a graduate university comprising three research areas: information science, biological science, and materials science. In a small-group research environment, students can engage in close discussions with faculty members and develop their research together.
OIST x NAIST Café in Kyoto
Date: Saturday, September 12, 2026
Time: 14:00 - 16:00 (JST UTC+9)
Language: Japanese
Format: in person
Venue: FabCafe Kyoto
Address: 554 Motoshiogamacho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan
Register here: OIST × NAIST Café in Kyoto - Step into Graduate Schools -
Note: This event will be held in person in Kyoto, Japan. There is no online participation option. The session will mainly be in Japanese, with some content presented in English.
Speakers: TBD
OIST x NAIST Café in Osaka
Date: Sunday, September 13, 2026
Time: 14:00 - 16:00 (JST UTC+9)
Language: Japanese
Format: in person
Venue: FabCafe Osaka
Address: 2-Chōme-2-4 Tenjinbashi Osaka, Osaka 530-0041 Japan)
Register here: OIST × NAIST Café in Osaka - Step into Graduate Schools -
Note: This event will be held in person in Osaka, Japan. There is no online participation option. The session will mainly be in Japanese, with some content presented in English.
Speakers: TBD