Members

I joined OIST in 2022. My research interests focus on synapses and astrocytes. Research efforts in our lab are geared towards uncovering cellular principles by which the strengths of synapses are set and dynamically modified in neural circuits, in a manner that is consequential to supporting animal behaviors. We also explore synaptic design in simple living model networks.

Full bio

My biology started with animal physiology using crayfish, which I learned at Okayama University in my hometown. For my master's degree, I went to Kyushu University in Fukuoka, where I worked on neurotransmitter receptors using Xenopus oocytes. After that, I studied mammalian neurophysiology at the University of Tokyo. Since then, I have been using patch-clamp electrical recordings from multiple neurons that form synapses in the central nervous system of rodents. At Goda unit, I will primarily focus on understanding how the key players surrounding synapses, such as pre- and post-synaptic cells and astrocytes, contribute to the function of the modulatory/regulatory mechanisms of neurotransmission using multiple patch-clamp recording technique.

I earned a PhD in Molecular Biology & Biochemistry from Paris Sorbonne University, researching on deadly malaria cases called ‘cerebral malaria’ prevalent in tropical regions. This experience exposed me to both fundamental and applied research, igniting my fascination with the human brain. I then pursued postdoctoral training at Japan's OIST, studying neurotransmission mechanisms in animal models, which deepened my interest in synaptic complexity and protein diversity. Now, my research aims to dissect the synaptic proteome of individuals living with psychiatric disorders, advocating for personalized molecular diagnostics. I am combining stem cell technology, deep proteomics, and artificial intelligence to advance patient-specific understanding of disease causes.

Mamoru has Ph.D. in science from Doshisha University. During his Ph.D. course, he studied synaptic plasticity using whole-cell patch clamp recording from pyramidal cells, interneurons, and mossy fiber boutons at the hippocampal CA3 area. Now as a postdoctoral scholar in the Goda Unit, he will focus on investigating homeostatic synaptic plasticity in hippocampal networks.

Maria has a Master’s in Drug Discovery and a PhD in Neuroscience. During her PhD, she studied the role of Nogo-A as a plasticity suppressor in both physiological and pathological conditions, mainly using field electrophysiological recordings. Now, as a postdoctoral scholar in the Goda Unit, she will focus on understanding the role of astrocytes on synaptic plasticity and synaptic communication.

Vasilis graduated from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne with a Ph.D. degree in Neuroscience, studying the cellular and synaptic mechanisms of in vitro models of cortical oscillations. He then worked at the Center of Brain Science at RIKEN to investigate the short-term memory encoding properties of dopamine neurons.  Currently, he is a postdoctoral researcher at the Yukiko Goda laboratory in OIST, exploring the astrocyte-neuron interactions that regulate synaptic behavior.

Wen-Hsin graduated from National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University in Molecular Medicine Program, Taiwan International Graduate Program (TIGP-MM), Academia Sinica, Taiwan. She first worked as a postdoctoral fellowship in Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica to investigate how presynaptic local translation contributes to presyanptic release properties and memory. Now she joins the Goda Unit in OIST as a postdoctoral scholar to explore the basis for diversity of astrocytic morphology and function in brain areas.

I did my PhD in Pharmacology/Neuroscience at the University of Oxford in Nigel Emptage’s lab, where I studied how presynaptic strength is modified by neuronal activity. I then worked at the Montreal Neurological Institute investigating the tuning properties of neurons in higher visual areas in mouse. At the Goda Unit, I will be studying (1) how astrocytes integrate synaptic activity in both space and time, and (2) how the non-linear filtering properties of the presynaptic terminal (and the diversity thereof) affects information processing in the brain.

My PhD research at the Goethe University in Frankfurt focused on investigating molecular players mediating the intricate crosstalk between neuronal and glial networks and the vasculature. I used state-of-the-art inducible and cell-type-specific mouse genetics, cell and organotypic cultures, in combination with high-resolution light microscopy and other techniques. I have so far focused on proteins that link vasculature, glia, and neuronal development in the hippocampus, and I would now like to deepen my understanding of how communication between different cell types, such as astrocytes and neurons, shapes the hippocampal functional circuitry, which is the reason why I joined the Goda Unit in October 2025. Using super-resolution microscopy techniques, I aim to elucidate the nature of NMDA receptors on the astrocytic surface and their role in contributing to hippocampal circuitry.

I enjoy playing ping pong with my colleagues, and my hobbies during my free time are tennis, softball, and volleyball.

I have a medical degree from Beijing, and masters degree from Tsukuba. I develop tools for differentiating human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) into various cell types, with the long-term goal to advance the emerging fields of personalized and regenerative medicine. Particularly, I am interested in the interactions of human astrocytes and neurons in brain aging, health and disease. Astrocyte and neurons are the main cell types in the human brain and their interactions are critical for brain function. Compared to other species, human astrocytes exhibit unique responses to common brain aging and disease stressors - such as oxidative stress, inflammation, and the accumulation of toxic proteins. I develop in vitro models of human neurons and astrocytes differentiated from human iPSC cells. With these models, I use live confocal imaging to study neuronal and astrocitic responses under different conditions. I also use AAV-gene delivery and CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing to label endogenous proteins, to image their localization and functions.

Her name is Alisha, and she is from Kazakhstan. She has completed both a bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences and a master’s degree in Molecular Medicine from Nazarbayev University, Astana. Her previous research projects include studying the role of the periostin protein in Inflammatory Bowel Disease during her undergraduate studies and investigating its role in peripheral nerve regeneration for their master’s thesis. Due to her interest in neuroscience, she is excited to work at the Goda Unit. Her tasks include culturing neurons and astrocytes, taking care of mice, and housekeeping the lab. In addition, she studies the function of NMDA receptors in astrocytes.

Katharina holds a Master’s degree in Chemistry, with a focus on bioanalytical chemistry and mass spectrometry. After graduating, she conducted research on protein–protein interactions at the Biochemistry Unit of Justus Liebig University. She then transitioned into the pharmaceutical industry, where she worked as a Supply Chain Planner and Project Manager.

I completed my B.Sc. Honors in Biochemistry from GCUF. OIST has given me an amazing opportunity to be part of a vibrant scientific community, fueling my curiosity and allowing me to contribute to cutting-edge research. I am excited to start my Ph.D. in the Synapse Biology Unit, where I will be diving deeper into understanding NMDA receptors on the astrocytic surface. On top of that, the natural beauty and peaceful atmosphere of Okinawa have made my experience here truly enjoyable.

I have a BSc in Molecular and Cellular Biology and an MRes in Biomedical and Molecular Sciences. During my Master's research placement, I joined the Ocular Cell and Gene Therapy Group at King's College London under the supervision of Professors Rachael Pearson and Robin Ali. There, I investigated synaptic tracing strategies in the retina following vision restoration therapy. One of the key challenges in this field is the presence of glial cells and scaring, which can obstruct synaptic tracing by occupying synaptic space and forming ensheathments. This project sparked my interest in glial cells and ultimately shaped the focus of my PhD at the Synapse Biology Unit, where I am now exploring the activity of astrocytes in vivo and their interaction with neurons.

I completed an Integrated Master's degree in Biochemistry at the University of Oxford. My research focuses on using human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived models of neurons and astrocytes to investigate their interactions in brain health and ageing. I joined the Synapse Biology Unit to pursue my growing interest in neuroscience and to better understand how astrocytes contribute to neuronal function.