Dr. Hayashi Hanako enrolled in the Department of Genetics at The Graduate University for Advanced Studies, SOKENDAI upon completing her master’s course in another university. She chose Kimura Group’s laboratory, whose research was completely different from what she had done up to her master’s course both in content and methodology. Starting thus almost from scratch, she succeeded in obtaining her doctorate in three years. Upon graduation in 2011, she landed a research scientist’s position at the RIKEN Center for Developmental Biology (CDB). We interviewed her and asked her about her reason for choosing the NIG, its virtues, and her current work.
To be honest, I don’t think that my English improved dramatically because of those lessons (laughter), but I don’t hesitate to present my research in English or take part in discussions in English. I believe that it was thanks to the English lessons that I was able to actively engage in discussions in English at scientific conferences that I attended overseas while I was at the NIG.
This interviewer sensed a parallel between one of the NIG’s characteristics, the absence of boundaries between laboratories, and Dr. Hayashi’s personal principle of listening to others attentively without prejudices in order to get to the true meaning of each message. She has continued to do research while fully enjoying it – this is probably because of her natural attitude, being true to herself in all she does, be it presenting her papers, interacting with overseas researchers, or looking for employment. Let us hope that Dr. Hayashi, who has walked into her researcher’s career with light yet steady steps, will realize all her researcher’s dreams one day.