大学院に進学したきっかけは何でしたか。

新型コロナウイルス感染症の流行をきっかけに、検査や診断、治療といった医療技術に強い関心を持つようになりました。特に、呼気を用いた無侵襲的な（体を傷つけない）診断法に大きな衝撃を受け、当分野を選択しました。卒業研究では、自ら実験を計画し、試行錯誤を重ねながら研究を進める面白さや、自分の研究によって新たな知見を生み出せる可能性に大きな魅力を感じました。さらに研究を深めたいという思いが強くなり、大学院への進学を決意しました。

What was it that made you progress to the graduate school?

With the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, I started to feel a really strong interest in medical technologies for testing, diagnosis, and treatment. In particular, a great impression was made on me by non-invasive diagnostic methods using exhaled breath, and that’s why I chose this field. During my graduation research I felt a great allure in the fascination of creating my own experimental plans and pursuing research through repeated trial and error, and the possibility of generating new knowledge through my research. I became determined to go deeper in my research, and decided to go to graduate school.

大学院での生活を振り返って、どんな経験ができたと思いますか。

学部時代よりも研究に費やせる時間が圧倒的に増え、より専門的かつ体系的に知識や技術を深められたと感じています。特に、硫黄に着目した質量分析やメタボローム解析などの高度な手法を用いた研究にじっくり取り組める環境は非常に魅力的で、自身の研究テーマへの理解をより深めることができました。思うような結果が得られないことも数多くありましたが、そのたびに原因を分析し、試行錯誤を重ねながら課題を解決する方法を考える経験を通して、粘り強く考え抜く力や問題解決能力を養えたと感じています。

Looking back on your life in graduate school, what sort of experiences do you think you gained?

The amount of time I could spend on research increased enormously compared to when I was an undergraduate student, and I feel that I have deepened my knowledge and techniques in a more professional and systematic manner. In particular the environment that allowed me to carefully involve myself in research using sophisticated methods such as mass spectrometry focusing on sulfur and metabolome analysis was wonderful, and I was able to gain a profounder understanding of my own research topics. There were many times when my research did not go as I had thought, but by analyzing the causes each time and repeated processes of trial and error, I feel that through the experience of working out how to solve problems I have developed the ability to think things through with persistence and strengthen my problem-solving skills.

研究テーマと、そのテーマに挑戦した理由を教えてください。

研究テーマは、「種横断的に保存されたアミノアシル-tRNA合成酵素による超硫黄分子合成経路の発見」でした。超硫黄分子は、硫黄原子が複数連なった構造を持つ分子で、生体内では強力な抗酸化活性やミトコンドリアのエネルギー代謝、免疫制御活性など、生命活動に重要な役割を果たすことが明らかになっています。しかし、その合成経路や生理的役割には、いまだ多くの未解明な点が残されています。こうした未知の生命現象を自分の研究によって解き明かし、新たな知見を生み出せる可能性に大きな魅力を感じ、このテーマに挑戦しました。

Tell us about your research theme and why you decided to take on that theme

My theme was “Identification of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases as a new family of persulfide synthases” Supersulfides are molecules that have a structure in which multiple sulfide atoms are linked in chains, and it has become clear that they perform important roles in biological activity in the body, including antioxidative activity, mitochondrial energy metabolism and immunoregulatory activity. However, there are still many unknown matters remaining with regard to their synthetic pathways and physiological roles. I was deeply interested in seeking to solve these unknown biological phenomena through my research, and the potential for generating new knowledge, which is why I decided to pursue this research theme.

研究室はどのような環境でしたか。

海外からの研究者や留学生が多く在籍しており、非常に国際色豊かな環境です。日常的に英語でコミュニケーションやディスカッションを行うため、研究活動はもちろん、語学力の向上や多様な価値観、文化に触れる貴重な経験ができました。お互いの研究内容について活発に意見交換を行う機会が多く、日々新たな刺激を受けながら学びを深められる雰囲気がありました。

What was the environment in the lab like?

There are many overseas researchers and students affiliated to the lab, and it has a very international flavor. As we communicated and discussed on a daily basis in English, it was an invaluable experience in which my research activities and linguistic skills improved, and I was able to encounter diverse ways of thinking and cultures. There were plenty of opportunities for lively exchanges of opinion about research content, and it was an atmosphere in which I could deepen my learning while gaining new stimuli every day.

東北大学の魅力はどんなところだとお考えですか。

最先端の研究テーマに取り組める点が、東北大学の大きな魅力だと思います。東北大学は国際卓越研究大学の第1号として認定されており、世界トップレベルの研究環境や実験設備の下で研究に取り組むことができます。国際的な研究環境の中で、多様なバックグラウンドを持つ研究者や留学生と交流できることも大きな特徴です。こうした環境で研究生活を送ることで、専門知識を深めるだけでなく、さまざまな価値観に触れ、幅広い視野を持った人材へと成長できると感じています。

What do you think the attractions of Tohoku University are?

I think that one major attraction of Tohoku University is being able to pursue initiatives on cutting-edge research themes. Tohoku University was the first university in Japan to be accredited as a University for International Research Excellence. Here, you can pursue your research in a world-class research environment with state-of-the-art experimental facilities. Another huge feature is that one can interact with researchers and students from a wide diversity of backgrounds in an international research environment. I feel that by spending one’s research life in this sort of environment it is possible to deepen expertise, encounter all sorts of sets of values and grow into a human resource with a panoramic perspective.

現在の仕事内容と、大学院での経験が生きていると感じる場面があればお聞かせください。

現在は、長野県松本市で化学職の公務員として勤務しています。主な業務は、松本市内全域に供給される浄水や、その元となる原水を採取し、水道法に基づいた水質検査を行うことです。この仕事は、民間企業でいう品質保証部門に近く、水質基準を満たしていることを確認し、市民の皆さんに安全・安心な水を安定して供給することを目的としています。未知の現象を解明することを目的とする研究とは異なりますが、人々の健康と生活を支えるという点で、大きなやりがいを感じています。水質検査では、細菌や大腸菌などの微生物をはじめ、水銀・カドミウム・鉛などの重金属類、ベンゼン・トリクロロエチレンなどの有機化合物まで、さまざまな項目を分析機器を用いて測定します。HPLC、LC-MS、GC-MSといった分析機器は大学院時代の研究でも扱っていたため、現在の業務でもその経験を生かすことができています。分析機器の操作だけでなく、実験の細かな手技やデータを正確に読み取る観察力・考察力など、大学院で培った知識や経験の全てが、現在の業務を支える大きな財産になっています。

Can you tell us about your current work content and any aspects in which your experiences in graduate school are proving useful?

I am currently working as a local government chemist for Matsumoto City in Nagano Prefecture. My main work consists of sampling the drinking water provided within the entire area of Matsumoto City and its water sources, and conducting water quality inspections pursuant to the Water Supply Act. This work is somewhat akin to the product quality assurance divisions of private sector companies, and includes checking that the water quality standards are being met, with the objective of stably supplying the citizens with water that is safe and can be used with peace of mind. It is unlike research that is aimed at elucidating unknown phenomena, but I work with a great sense of fulfillment in supporting people’s health and daily lives. In water quality testing, we use analytical instruments to measure a wide range of parameters, from microorganisms such as bacteria and E. coli to heavy metals such as mercury, cadmium, and lead, as well as organic compounds such as benzene and trichloroethylene. As I had already used analytical instruments such as HPLC, LC-MS and GC-MS in graduate school, I am able to put this experience to good use in my work. In addition to the operation of analytical instruments, my detailed experimental techniques and observational and investigative abilities to accurately interpret data use all the knowledge and experience I cultivated in graduate school, and these are currently huge assets that support my work.

どんな技術者を目指していますか。

大学院で培った専門知識や分析技術、そして課題解決力を生かし、水質検査業務を通じて市民の皆さんに安全・安心な水を届けることが私の使命だと考えています。今後も現状に満足することなく、新しい知識や技術を積極的に学び続け、より専門性の高い技術者として成長していきたいと思っています。そして、水質管理という立場から、市民の皆さんが安心して暮らせる環境づくりに貢献していきたいです。

What sort of technician do you aim to be?

I want to make the most of the expertise, analytical techniques, and problem-solving skills that I developed in graduate school, and see my mission as being to deliver water that is safe and provides peace of mind to the citizens through water quality inspection work. I will not sit on my laurels, but continue to enthusiastically study new knowledge and technology and grow as a highly professional technician. And from the perspective of water quality management I wish to contribute to the creation of an environment in which all the citizens can live safely.

休日はどのようにリフレッシュしていますか。

松本の豊かな自然と文化を感じながら、散歩やドライブをするのがマイブームです。道中でおいしそうなお店を見つけると、つい立ち寄ってしまいます。また、幼少期から音楽が大好きで、ピアノやアルトサックスの演奏をしています。中学・高校の吹奏楽部を経て、社会人になった現在も楽団に所属して音楽を楽しんでいます。

How do you refresh yourself on days off?

At the moment I’m into walking or driving around Matsumoto and enjoying its rich nature and culture. I’m always going into restaurants that look good when I’m walking or driving around. I’ve also been a great music lover since I was a small child, and I play the piano and alto saxophone. After being a member of wind bands at junior and high school I’ve joined a musical group since becoming a working adult, and am enjoying playing music.