I will never forget the Summer I’ve had here at NIG. I can still remember clearly arriving here on my first day, jetlagged and disorientated. The members of the Kitano Lab found me waiting nervously at reception on their way to lunch. The warmth and friendliness I was greeted with immediately extinguished any worries I had. We talked and laughed and by the end of lunch I already felt at home. The coming weeks only did more to solidify these feelings.
I jumped straight into my research project. I was investigating the phylogeny of threespine sticklebacks in Japan. The work was both challenging and rewarding. I came up against many setbacks but Kitano-sensei and the other lab members were always ready to help me out. In the lab I was given a lot of independence and was allowed to tackle my project in my own way. This really helped me to hone my critical-thinking skills. Evolutionary genetics is something I’m hugely passionate about and my time working in Kitano-sensei’s lab has been absolutely invaluable to my knowledge and experience. I had the chance to fully immerse myself in a scientific community. I learnt how a lab operates and saw the scientific method in action first hand. I was also given the opportunity to talk to many dedicated and brilliant scientists from all areas of research in NIG during the intern lab visits. This gave me greater insight into the many different fields in genetics.
NIG manages to create a relaxed, friendly atmosphere, while also maintaining a hard work ethic. It’s the absolute perfect environment for science to grow and flourish. I found that after a long day’s work in the lab there was never a lack of ways to unwind. NIG has a bubbling social scene. I was constantly invited to dinners and parties, and even on a fishing trip. This really helped me to meet different people and settle into the NIG community. It was the perfect balance of work and play. Along with NIG organized events I also got the chance to go on my own trips and travels. Among many other adventures, I climbed to the top of Mt. Fuji; explored the old districts of Kyoto; got lost in the madness of Tokyo and went hiking in the Kiso Valley.
Throughout my stay I also experienced Japanese culture and hospitality firsthand. I always looked forward to my weekly Japanese lessons, where Miyauchi-sensei not only taught me the language but also about Japanese society, culture, and cuisine. My time at NIG left me feeling totally immersed in the Japanese way of life and I really fell in love with it. I can only hope that one day I will have the chance to live there again.
Most importantly, I now feel sure where I want to go with my scientific career and this summer has given me the experience I need to achieve these goals. I am so grateful that I was given this opportunity. My time in NIG has been invaluable to me. It truly has been the most amazing summer.