Where Ideas Flow: Highlights from the OIST–Keio Showcase Series Vol. 10
The tenth OIST–Keio Showcase Talk Series brought researchers from the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) and Keio University together for two days of exchange, discussion, and discovery focused on fluid dynamics. Held on March 11–12, 2026, the event combined invited faculty lectures with short talks, lab tours, a poster session, and a networking dinner, offering a multifaceted view of ongoing research and collaboration between the two institutions. This event was held as part of the J-PEAKS program.
The first day opened with welcoming remarks from OIST Provost and Professor Amy Shen, setting the tone for a program designed to span disciplines and encourage dialogue. A full slate of faculty talks followed, featuring researchers from Keio University and OIST who approach fluid dynamics from a wide range of angles.
Throughout the morning, speakers from Keio university explored diverse themes—from industrial and chemical processes to turbulence, microscale transport, and planetary atmospheres. While the scientific topics varied widely, the talks shared a common thread: how understanding fluid motion, whether at the scale of nanochannels or global circulation, can unlock new insights and applications.
Later in the morning, OIST faculty continued the program, presenting work that bridged theory, computation, and experiment. Their talks highlighted fundamental questions in turbulence, complex fluids, compressible flows, and microfluidics.
In the afternoon, participants stepped out of the lecture hall and into the laboratory. Guided tours of the Chakraborty and Shen Units allowed visitors to see experimental facilities and instrumentation firsthand, offering a behind-the-scenes view of how research ideas presented earlier in the day are translated into practice.
The second day shifted the spotlight toward early-career researchers, beginning with a series of short talks by students and postdoctoral researchers from both Keio and OIST. These concise presentations provided snapshots of ongoing projects and emerging directions, reflecting the energy and creativity of the next generation of scientists. Professor Koji Fukagata delivered the closing remarks, formally bringing the OIST–Keio Showcase Talk Series Vol. 10 to a close.
Following the talks, participants gathered for an extended poster session at OIST Land neXus. Over thirty posters filled the space, representing contributions from all participating units and research groups. Conversations flowed easily around the displays, with presenters and attendees engaging in in-depth discussions, exchanging ideas, and discovering unexpected connections across fields.
The day concluded with a networking dinner, providing a relaxed setting for participants to continue conversations started during the sessions and to strengthen personal and professional connections.
Across both days, the Showcase Series 10 emphasized the value of collaboration—not only between institutions, but across career stages and disciplines. By blending formal presentations with informal discussion, lab visits, and social activities, the event created space for new ideas to form and partnerships to grow.
As the tenth entry in an ongoing series, this Showcase reflected both continuity and momentum. It reaffirmed the shared commitment of OIST and Keio University to advancing fluid dynamics research and to supporting a collaborative research culture that brings together established and emerging researchers alike.
