by Kotaro Tsutsumi
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With the generous support of Friends of of UTokyo, Inc., I spent this Summer participating in the University of Tokyo Research Internship Program. As a biochemistry major, I have been primarily utilizing molecular biological lab techniques at Northwestern, my home institution, in investigating protein characterization in Parkinson’s disease cell models. This primarily utilizes molecular biological lab techniques, and in exploring other scientific perspectives, I wanted to participate in research that employs additional chemical approaches in the exploration of molecular biology. Consequently, conducting research at UTokyo’s Ozawa laboratory was the perfect opportunity for me to explore this realm of science.
My project in the Ozawa lab centered around a signaling protein called G-protein coupled receptor. Much of prior investigation regarding this protein have been conducted in vitro using molecular biological techniques such as Western blotting. However, such methods do not necessarily illuminate the life course activity of a single protein. Hence, the aim of my project was to elucidate the in vivo kinetics of GPCR using total internal reflection microscopy, which allows for single-molecule imaging.
Prior to this project, I had minimal exposure to single-molecule imaging, let alone fluorescence microscopy. This opportunity presented me with a variety of eye-opening approaches that enhanced my scientific knowledge and capacity to think critically as a scientist, and will be of great use as I move forward in my academic career.
It was not only my passion for science, however, that made this experience a crucial aspect of my future career. It was also the opportunity for me to grasp Japanese culture, both within and without the lab, that made UTRIP so meaningful. As a Japanese-American, I have lived in the United States throughout my entire life. Despite my fluency in the Japanese Language and many visits to Japan, I had never lived in Japan for an extended period of time, and hence never fully understood the social culture of Japan. From the late night discussions with lab mates about the international variations in education to spontaneous interactions with people on the subway, the six weeks I spent in Japan was filled with occasions that exposed me to the characteristics of modern Japanese society, and allowed me to truly internalize my cultural identity.
Outside of the laboratory, UTRIP gave me many opportunities to explore the multifaceted nature of Japan. A trip to the Nikko Toshogu shrine, botanical garden, and yuba factory presented me with the longstanding Japanese traditions that has been maintained for centuries. The exquisite taste of fresh yuba reminded me of the delicacy of Japanese dishes, which in fact is not an exclusive element of cuisine, but is a prominent aspect of the overall Japanese culture that makes it so beautiful.
On the contrary, a visit to the Shibuya ward illuminated the modern millennial culture of Japan that is filled with excitement and energy. Another trip to an outskirt neighborhood of presented yet another side of Tokyo that is filled with trendy cafes and Jazz bars that offers a relaxing and comforting atmosphere. It is breathtaking that such a diverse array of subcultures exists within this city, and is the precise element that made my life in Japan continually engaging and exciting.
Reflecting upon such unforgettable memories, I feel that my internship in Japan was truly a scientifically and culturally stimulating experience, and I hope to embrace it all as I move forward in my career.
Masako M. Osako (大迫政子) is – Executive Director of the International Longevity Center (ILC) Global Alliance, a partnership of 14 ILCs from around the world ( 
Ko-Yung Tung (コー・ヤン・タン：董 克勇) is Senior Counsellor at the international law firm of 
Yasuo Okamoto（岡本康夫）is a partner at the international law firm of Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP, resident in its New York office. He is also responsible for its Tokyo office and the firm’s Pacific Basin Practice. He is a corporate attorney concentrating on cross border transactions and has counseled Japanese and other foreign clients in M&A, Bankruptcy workouts, Corporate finance and other transactional and regulatory work. He is a graduate of the University of Tokyo, Faculty of Law (Hogakushi 1972) and Osgoode Hall Law School, Toronto, Canada (LLB 1976). He has been admitted to practice in the New York State and Federal courts since 1977 and is also registered as a registered foreign lawyer（外国法事務弁護士）with the First Tokyo Bar Association in Japan. Prior to Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP, he was a member of the firm of Hill, Betts & Nash in New York until 1980. He has spoken and lectured extensively on corporate and finance related topics and has served as a lecturer at the Morin Center for Banking and Financial Law at Boston University.
Iwao Ojima received his B.S. (1968), M.S. (1970), and Ph.D. (1973) degrees from the University of Tokyo, Japan. He joined the Sagami Institute of Chemical Research and held a position as Senior Research Fellow until 1983.
Dr. Geeta Mehta (ギータ・メータ) joined the Advisory Committee of FUTI in April 2011. She is currently an adjunct professor at the 
Takeshi Komoto （河本 雄）
Shunichiro Kishioka （岸岡駿一郎）is currently Chairman of 
1973年一橋大学経済学部卒業。同大学院経済学研究科修士課程を経て、1979年ハーバード大学経済学博士課程修了（PhD）。ミネソタ大学経済学部助教授、同准教授、一橋大学経済研究所助教授、同教授、東京大学先端科学技術研究センター教授を経て、2004年東京大学大学院経済学研究科、兼、公共政策大学院教授（2012年同院長）に就任、2014年4月政策研究大学院大学教授、兼、東京大学公共政策大学院特任教授を経て、2015年1月より現職。その間、1992-94年ハーバード大学ケネディー行政大学院客員教授、1994-97年国際通貨基金（IMF）調査局上級審議役、1999-2001年大蔵省副財務官、2006年10月-2008年10月、経済財政諮問会議の民間議員、2009年秋学期コロンビア大学ビジネススクール客員教授を務めた。金融政策、国際金融論に関する編著書、論文多数。2004年度日本経済学会会長。2010年、関税・外国為替等審議会、外国為替等分科会会長、2013年、同審議会会長。2011年春、紫綬褒章受章。
長谷川 泰（Tai Hasegawa）、 スタンフォード・シリコンバレー赤門会会長
Hiroshi Komiyama (小宮山宏) became Chairman of the Institute of Mitsubishi Research Institute, Inc. and President Emeritus at the University of Tokyo in April 2009, after completing a four-year presidency at the University of Tokyo. He was appointed the 28th president of the University of Tokyo in April 2005, after having served as a vice-president and executive vice-president for a year each, respectively. Prior to that he was Dean of the School of Engineering from April 2000 till March 2002. Dr. Komiyama received his Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral degrees, all in chemical engineering, from the University of Tokyo in 1967, 1969, and 1972, respectively. From 1973 to 1974, he was a post doctoral fellow at the University of California at Davis. He became a full professor in the Department of Chemical System Engineering, University of Tokyo in 1988. Dr. Komiyama specializes in chemical engineering, advanced materials engineering, and global environment engineering. His research work and papers have received awards three times from the Society of Chemical Engineers of Japan. In addition to his positions at Mitsubishi Research Institute, Inc. and the University of Tokyo, he serves as an adviser to the Japanese Government, the media, and several non-profit organizations.
Junji Masuda （桝田淳二）has been a partner of 
小林久志 (こばやし・ひさし)：プリンストン大学の 
Nobuko Sakurai (桜井信子) 東京大学仏文仏語科卒業後、東京のエールフランスで6年間勤務。その後夫の転勤に伴いワシントンDCに移住、スミソニアン・インスティチュートに勤務。ワシントンDCのアメリカン大学にてフランス研究科修士号を取得。2度目のワシントン滞在中に、日本国外務省外郭団体であるJapan Economic Institute にて7年間、日本に進出する米企業、米国に進出する日系企業に関するビジネス・リポート作成担当。1995年から2000年、東京のフォルマ・コーポレーションにて米企業、仏企業のためのビジネス会議、セミナーの企画、運営を担当。2000年にニューヨーク移住後も2006年まで同社の翻訳業務を一部担当。日本クラブ婦人部会長、日米婦人会会長を務め、現在はコスモポリタンクラブ（ニューヨーク）International Committee 書記、東南アジアの女性を支援するAsia Foundation Lotus Circleのアドバイザー、日米婦人会アドバイザー。
Shigenori (Shig) Matsushita (松下重悳): Upon graduating from the Department of Electrical Engineering (with Major in Communications) of UTokyo in March 1959, he joined Toshiba Corporation in April 1959 where he designed basic transistor circuits for computers. He was a chief design engineer for a patch-board programmed computer and a magnetic drum internal-program computer. In 1962 he was awarded a Fulbright scholarship and studied at the University of Illinois, where he worked as an assistant to develop a pattern recognition computer, ILLIAC III, in the Digital Computer Laboratory, and received his MS degree in August 1963.
伊藤澄子氏は、アルカデイア・キャピタル・インク、ニューヨーク、の創立者および代表者である。アルカデイア・キャピタルは、１９９１年に設立され、日本および米国企業にクロスボーダーの経営戦略コンサルティングを提供している。顧客には、国際的な大企業からテクノロジー・ベンチャー企業まで幅広い企業を含む。それ以前は、アレックス・ブラウン・アンド・サンズ・インク、ボルティモア、メリーランド州、のパートナーとして、アジア地域のインベスト・バンキング事業開発を担当した。
Koichi Hamada (濱田宏一) is the 
桑間 雄一郎 医師 2000年よりマウントサイナイベスイスラエル病院内東京海上記念診療所院長。桑間医師はニューヨーク地区の主として日系人対象に内科一般医療を提供している。桑間医師は医学教育活動にも従事し、マウントサイナイ医科大学の学生やマウントサイナイベスイスラエル病院の研修医に、准教授として教鞭をとっている。東京大学医学部医学科を1987年に卒業後、同医学部外科研修、1991年に外科認定医となる。そして、米国医師免許試験に合格後、1993年からマウントサイナイベスイスラエル病院の前身であるベスイスラエルメディカルセンターで内科研修を開始、1996年には同内科最優秀研修医賞を受賞、同年内科専門医資格取得。1997年に日本へ帰国し、東大医学部外科非常勤講師、日本医師会政策研究機構研究員などを務める。2000年にベスイスラエルメディカルセンターに招かれ現職につく。2006年には医学生の教育に優れた業績を残した医師に送られる賞である、アルバートアインスタイン医科大学のレオ・ダビドフ会への殿堂入りをする。配偶者の千佳さんも東大医学部卒業の医師であり、ニュージャージー在住。3人の男子に恵まれている。
Dr. Masaaki Yamada (山田雅章) is a Distinguished Laboratory Research Fellow at 
