Prof. Doya's Interview

Yokobayashi Unit Research on Predatory Bacteria in the News

Research from the Nucleic Acid Chemistry and Engineering Unit on predatory bacteria is being talked about in international news. In a recently published paper, the unit members took steps forward in the genetic manipulation of B. bacteriovorus, a type of bacteria with potential future applications as a living antibiotic.

Dr. Nana Arakaki's Interview - A Research Support Specialist, The DNA Sequencing Section

The website "MIRAICHIZU" is targeting high-school students in Okinawa to help them create a career plan and get ideas about what kinds of jobs are available in Okinawa. The articles are written by local university students.
This time, Dr. Nana Arakaki from the OIST DNA Sequencing Section introduced her job and delivered messages to students in Okinawa.
http://www.miraichizu.com/job/detail.php?professional_id=121

Extinct Stick Insects Found Living

OIST research team in collaboration with Australian researchers found out that the phantom insects regarded as an extinct species have been surviving. Lord Howe stick insects have been considered to be extinct since black rats from wrecked ship intruded the island in 1918, which affected the island’s ecosystem.  However, the same kind as Lord Howe stick insects were found alive in Balls Pyramid Island, which is located in the vicinity of Lord Howe Island.

Mikheyev Unit Research on the Lord Howe Island Stick Insect in the news

Recently OIST's Ecology and Evolution Unit confirmed the survival of a thought-to-be extinct species of large flightless insect: the Lord Howe Island stick insect. International media has been talking about this very big news.

Read the full story here, and check out which media outlets are featuring the story below.

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Mikheyev Unit Work on Habu Genome In the News

The First Habu Venom Genome Analysis

On October 4^th, OIST and Okinawa Prefectural Public Health and Environment Institute made an announcement that they have analyzed genome of habu venom for the first time in the world.  According to their discovery, not only strong components of habu venom, but also weak components of habu venom have been evolved through generations, based on coinciding functions, so-called, “genetic drift.”

Fried Unit Research on Surface Tension in the News

International media is talking about new work from the Mathematics, Mechanics, and Materials Unit headed by Professor Eliot Fried. See the full story here.

See which news outlets are talking about it below:

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Breakthrough -- Professor Kenji Doya

The Asahi Shimbun GLOBE featured Prof. Doya in its October issue.

The article offers in-depth information about Prof. Doya as one of the most active players in his field.  You can read it (in Japanese) from their website.

Dr. Murray Elected as New Chair of the OIST Board of Governors

On 29^th, OIST BOG made an announcement of the November 1 inauguration of Dr. Cherry Murray (65) and the resignation of Dr. Torsten Wiesel (93), the incumbent BOG Chair who received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1981.

Dr. Murray used to serve as a dean of Harvard University’s John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences.  With the first graduation ceremony coming on February 2018, OIST aims at the expansion of faculty members, stressing their need to contribute to the sustainable development of Okinawan economy.

Professor Síle Nic Chormaic Writes about Gender Inequality in Science in Optics & Photonics News

Read Professor Síle Nic Chormaic's article "Challenging a Culture of Inequality" that was published in Optics & Photonics News in the October 2017 issue. The article features Professor Nic Chormaic's own experiences with gender inequality in science and addresses some of OIST's equality initiatives.

Prof. Chakraborty Features in BS Japan TV program

The program has already featured three other professors from OIST. You can watch the clips from:

Shintake Unit Ocean Wave Power in the News

International media is talking about the Quantum Wave Microscopy Unit's work on tubines that harness the power of the ocean to generate clean, renewable energy. See the full story here.

See which news outlets are talking about it below:

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Dr. Iwama, the former EVP of OIST, Became the President of Quest University in Canada

Dr. George Iwama (63), the former Executive Vice President of OIST became the President and Vice Chancellor of Quest University in Canada.  The announcement was made public on August 25^th webpage of the Quest University.

Dr. Masashi Yoshimura's interview on Fire Ant

The Economo Unit's staff scientist Dr. Masashi Yoshimura explained about fire ants which recently discovered in Japan and became a big concern in the Japanese society.

"Science Portal" is a website brought to you by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST).

Dr. Yuichi Nakajima's interview on his coral study

The Mitarai Unit's Postdoctral Scholar received an interview by a web media "Top Researchers" and talked about his research on coral. 

Top Researchers (Japanese)

Sowwan Unit Silicon Batteries in the News

International media is talking about the Nanoparticles by Design Unit's new silicon anodes designed to provide lithium batteries with increased power and better stability. Read the full story here.

See which media outlets are talking about it below:

Approval of the Budget and Projects at Kenminkaigi

The general meeting of the Council of Promotion for Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University or Kenmin-Kaigi (Chairman: Governor Takeshi Onaga) for fiscal 2017 was held on August 16.  Besides FY16 business reports and financial settlement, FY17 business scheme and budget, its future plan to extensively raise donation, were approved.

Approximately 3 million yen was settled as FY17 budget, with which science experiment classes will be held at remote islands including Miyako, and as a new project, newsletters will be prepared.

Record Number of 37 Students Enrolled in OIST PhD. Program

On September 1, the 6^th OIST Welcoming Ceremony took place with the record number of 37 new doctoral students selected among nearly 400 candidates, aiming for the enrollment of 5 year PhD program.

The 37 students from 19 countries and regions introduced themselves, telling the audience about their research background in various areas of the world.  The first Italian student, Salvatore Lacava (24) said, “I was attracted to be able to make an interdisciplinary research.  I would like to advance my research on neuroscience field.”

Editorial: Respect Okinawan Autonomy for Promotion Measures

Cabinet Office recently determined the FY 2018 Okinawa related budget request as 319 billion yen.  Compared to FY17, it was 2 billion down, and the amount was the minimum since Prime Minister Abe made a commitment to keep the budget in the level of 300 billion yen until FY21.

Okinawa prefecture and the central government have been confronting on the issue of relocation of the US Futenma Base to Henoko, Nago city.  Such level of budget decrease could be attributed only to the base-related issue.

3D Obama Ant Hits World News!

Recent research from the Economo Unit is gaining a lot of media coverage! Three new ant species named after three key figures in coservation in Africa--Barack Obama, Ken Saro-Wiwa, and E.O. Wilson—are immortalized as 3D virtual avatars. Your can read the article here.

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