Previous Visiting Students

September 26, 2024 - March 19, 2026

April 2025 - May 2025

January 2024 - April 2024

Bachelor of Science Hons. in Biology (Major), Environmental and Natural Resource Management (Major), University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad (2015)

Maste of Science in Biology, University of Tsukuba (2023)

Doctor of Philosophy in Biology, University of Tsukuba (2023-Present)

My name is Jonathan Josh Ramtahal, I am from Trinidad and Tobago where I lived before coming to Japan in 2020. After completeing my B.Sc. I worked as research assistant in Forest Ecology, Evnvironment Biology and Plant Ecophysiology and as a lab tutor as the University of the West Indies teaching the lab and tutorial components for Undergraduate courses in Biology and Ecology, where I became more interested in Marine Biology and Ecology which led me to pursue my current research on micropastics in the marine environment. My research interests include marine community ecology, environmental biology and marine ecophysiology.

October 2022 - March 2023

2023 PhD MSE, University of Washington
2018 B.S. Molecular Engineering, University of Chicago

Lorenzo obtained his bachelor's degree from the University of Chicago in the first cohort of molecular engineering majors under the tutelage of Professor Mark Stoykovich. In 2018, he joined Prof. Christine Luscombe’s group for his master’s degree focusing on precise synthesis of conjugated block copolymers for controllable morphology. He stayed in the group for his PhD as well as becoming a part of Prof. Lilo Pozzo's group in the department of chemical engineering at the University of Washington. His current research focuses on unraveling novel conjugated polymer's morphology and properties utilizing a variety of characterization techniques including neutron scattering and electronic device testing.

June 13th, 2022 - August 11th, 2022

October 5, 2025 - February 25, 2025

April 3, 2025 - August 28, 2025

2025 M.Sc. University of Vigo, Spain
2023 B.Sc. University of Barcelona, Spain

I have a Bachelor's degree in Marine Sciences and a Master's in Advanced Biotechnology. My master’s dissertation focused on developing novel bioformulations for dyeing and functionalizing cotton fabrics using seaweedderived extracts, including bioactives and pigments.

In April 2025, I joined the pi-Conjugated Polymers Unit at OIST as a research intern. My research interests lie in exploring algae-based biopolymers and their potential to become sustainable, functional biomaterials. I’m particularly interested in how algae can help reimagine the future of materials science.

Outside the lab, I enjoy surfing, scuba diving, and capturing the beauty of marine life
through underwater photography

April 2024 - Sept 2024

July 16th, 2024 - Sept 6th, 2024

August 25, 2023 - October 28, 2023

April 12th, 2023 - June 16th, 2023

2022 B.S. – University of Southern Mississippi

Ian received his Bachelor’s degree in Polymer Science and Engineering from the University of Southern Mississippi. During his undergraduate studies, he worked with Prof. Jason Azoulay for two years on polyfluorene synthesis and characterization (primarily focused on optical characterization) and Prof. Jeffrey Wiggins on polyimide oligomer synthesis and mechanical characterization.

Ian is primarily interested in polymer electronic systems, especially in the field of optoelectronics. Though experienced mostly in the synthesis of polymers, Ian looks forward to broadening his horizons as a scientist through exposure to other fields of study at a multidisciplinary institution like OIST.

October 2022 - February 2023

August 2022 - February 2023

Gilda is in the final year of her Bachelor's degree in Nanotechnology at Yachay Tech University, Ecuador. She conducted her research in hydrothermal synthesis and characterization of CQDs from bioprecursors such as the pseudostem of banana controlling its structure and its surface chemistry, among other properties. She experienced a summer research internship in the Physics of Nanostructured Material Research Group at University of Vienna, Austria. There, she received complex training in the use of TEM and STEM microscopes for the characterization of 2D materials (graphene and HBN). She joined Pi-Conjugated Polymers unit at OIST as a research intern in August, 2022. Here, Gilda desires to work on organic electrochemical transistors for the completion of her thesis project.