Previous members

Hello, my name is Haruka.

I am currently a second-year medical student at Nara Medical University, where I study medicine while conducting research on the molecular mechanisms of aging. For the past three years, I majored in Medical Life Sciences at Waseda University. I later transferred to my current university to acquire more specialized medical knowledge and to pursue my goal of becoming an outstanding medical researcher.

At present, I am working as a research intern in the Meitinger Unit for two months to gain further research experience. In my free time, I enjoy playing sports such as soft tennis and volleyball, listening to music, and fishing.

I am eager to learn as much as possible during my time at OIST and to apply this experience to my future research career. Thank you very much for welcoming me as an intern to the wonderful Meitinger Unit.

I completed my bachelor's and master's degrees at the University of York in the UK, where I worked on projects studying neurodegenerative disease and developmental biology. I am looking forward to beginning my work in the Meitinger unit, where I will be using gene activation screens to examine regulators of cell division. In my spare time, I love reading and hiking, and I am excited to explore Okinawa and beyond!

I am from Korea and have been living in Japan for about seven years while pursuing my bachelor’s and master’s degrees. My scientific interests lie in molecular biology and biochemistry. Before coming to OIST, I studied membrane protein insertion mechanisms by using model organism E. coli, which sparked my interest in gene regulation and intracellular dynamics. In the Meitinger Unit, I’m excited to learn about gene editing techniques and the molecular mechanisms of cell division. I’m also looking forward to exploring Okinawa in my free time!

Hi, I am from India, and I've been living in Okinawa for a little less than 4 years. I come from a subtropical place, so being in Okinawa feels much like home. I’m fascinated by the biology of the cell, especially to learn how subtle molecular defects could spark disease. I aspire to create new knowledge and develop solutions that could benefit people's lives. I love exploring the natural history, culture, and cuisine of the places I visit. I strive to read and travel more to new places to learn about the world and natural history better.

I’m Aurellia Ramara Winaya from Indonesia. I developed an early interest in scientific discoveries that explore how diseases arise from the interaction between genes and their environments, which led me to focus on gene regulation and molecular biology. My previous research centered on understanding the translation regulation of proteasome assembly chaperones in response to stress. I’m eager to expand my knowledge of cancer-specific mechanisms during my rotation at the Meitinger unit. Outside of research, I enjoy watching movies, reading books, and exploring new cafes and restaurants.

I have done my B.Sc. Honors in Biochemistry from GCUF. OIST has bestowed me a wonderful opportunity of working among a vibrant scientific community, nurture my intellectual curiosity and make meaningful contributions to the field of science as a graduate student. I am thrilled to commence my rotation in the Cell Proliferation and Gene Editing Unit, where I look forward to delving into the intricate mechanisms of cell proliferation and cancer biology under the esteemed guidance of Dr. Franz Meitinger. Cancer stands as a prominent global cause of death, imposing a significant burden on individuals, families, and communities. I am interested in the biotherapeutics which have the potential to revolutionize the pharmaceutical landscape in addressing this formidable challenge. Furthermore, the serene beauty and tranquil surroundings of Okinawa have transformed my study experience here into a peaceful and enjoyable one.

Hello, my name is Hamzah, and I am originally from Indonesia. I completed my master's degree in medical sciences from the University of Tsukuba in September 2021 and worked for some time in a research institute and biopharma company in between my studies. My previous research involved generating reporter cells and coupling it with a CRISPR screening system to discover potential negative regulators of pluripotency acquisition in iPS cells. I am eager to do research at the intersection of genetic technologies, cell biology, and biomedicine and am very excited to do a rotation here in the Meitinger Unit and learn more about cell division and cancer-specific mechanisms. My hobbies are playing basketball and exploring nature with my family, which I hope I can enjoy here during my stay at OIST!

I am a master's student from Ukraine majoring in Molecular Physiology and Biophysics. It is my third internship for the last 2 years. My bachelor's thesis was about nucleic acids sensing pathways in lung adenocarcinoma cell line. Since childhood, I dreamed of studying the nature of diseases and I was always interested in the molecular biology of cancer. I am so happy to work in Meitinger Unit as a research intern and communicate with great people. Also, I love Asian culture and hiking a lot.

Hello everyone! I am a Master of Pharmacy and I come from North Macedonia. My main interests are Molecular Biology, Genetics and Pharmacology. I recently joined the Meitinger Unit as an intern and would like to gain more lab experience and knowledge in cell proliferation but also gene editing because I am interested in gene editing tools and gene therapy in general. I like traveling, exploring new places, eating, experiencing new cultures etc. I am very excited and looking forward to explore Okinawa, the mainland and meet new people.

I was born and raised here in Okinawa. Since its establishment, I’ve worked at OIST as administrative staff and RUA. I’m honored to be able to see OIST getting bigger and bigger every year and support the Cell Proliferation and Gene Editing Unit now. Things I like are, running in the morning, working around the house on the weekend, listening to rain sounds, and spending time with my loved ones; yes, this is the best!