
Two alumnae recently joined FUTI as volunteers. We are looking forward to working closely with them, capitalizing on their diverse professional backgrounds.
Dr. Mina Delawary-Tsuji (BA, MA and PhD)
Dr. Delawary is assisting the Public Relations team, with a special focus on Advisory Committee activities. She currently serves as Associate Director of Global Project Management & Leadership in Global Research and Development at Daiichi Sankyo Inc. Her bio is detailed below.
During her time at the University of Tokyo, Dr. Delawary studied genetic engineering in the Faculty of Agriculture for her undergraduate and master’s programs. She then transitioned to the Institute of Medical Science for her doctoral program, where she conducted research in molecular biology and neuroscience, ultimately earning her PhD.
Following her PhD, Dr. Delawary joined Daiichi Sankyo, where she conducted pharmacological research for about 15 years. She also spent a few years as a postdoctoral researcher at Harvard University, focusing on stem cell biology, specifically investigating the causes of diseases related to embryonic stem cells (ES cells) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells).
Three years ago, Dr. Delawary transitioned to a role as a project manager for clinical trials of anti-cancer drugs at Daiichi Sankyo. Since April 2024, she has been based at the company’s office in New Jersey, USA.
Dr. Kyoko Waseda-Hida, BA, (BA, PhD and MPA)
Dr. Kyoko Waseda is assisting the Public Relations team with social media, publications, and events. Highlights of her career are provided below.
After graduating from the University of Tokyo (Economics) in 1992, Kyoko began her career at the Bank of Japan in Tokyo. Since late May 2024, she has been serving as a Director in the Corporate Banking Department at SMBC in New York. Additionally, she continues to serve as an intelligence officer (Lieutenant Colonel) in the U.S. Air Force Reserve at the Defense Intelligence Agency Headquarters, US Embassy in Tokyo, and other overseas locations to support exercises and operations.
Kyoko holds an MPA from Harvard University and a PhD from the University of Pennsylvania.
Dr. Iwao Ojima, President of FUTI, commented “I am very pleased to learn that Dr. Mina Delawary-Tsuji (biomedical scientist) and Dr. Kyoko Waseda-Hida (economist, banker) have recently joined FUTI as highly valuable volunteers. Their exceptional credentials and expertise will substantially strengthen FUTI’s activities and will serve as role models for the FUTI scholarship recipients of the past, current and future.” Masako Osako, FUTI staff similarly observed, “Volunteers are undeniably important movers of society. I am pleased and encouraged that young alumnae such as those introduced in this article took an interest in FUTI and applied their professional talents as volunteers.”