IRCMS symposium "Rise of Diversity in Science" held on September 28th-29th, 2023

October 13 2023

IRCMS symposium "Rise of Diversity in Science" was held on September 28th-29th, 2023 at IRCMS, Kumamoto University. The aim of this symposium was to provide inspiration for achieving gender equality and promoting diversity within the scientific community.

On the first day, the symposium began with opening remarks by Prof. Aiko Sada, a professor at Kumamoto University, and a greeting from President Hisao Ogawa of Kumamoto University. These addresses were followed by a keynote lecture by Dr. Yingzi Yang from Harvard University titled "Learning Wnt and Hedgehog signaling from genetic diseases." Then, six female researchers from respected research institutes in Japan, the US, and Spain shared their state-of-the-art research projects. Additionally, a poster session was held, and Dr. Jie Bai from Kumamoto University's IRCMS received the Best Poster Award.

On the second day of the symposium, a "Power Hour" session was held. We invited 3 guest speakers: Prof. Ayaka Ito from Nagoya University, Prof. Sayako Katada from Kyushu University, Prof. Tatsuyoshi Kono from Indiana University, and Prof. Takizawa from IRCMS served as a facilitator. Each speaker introduced various initiatives undertaken in their universities to promote gender equality and diversity, based on their gender perspectives. There was a lively discussion among all participants. In sessions 6-8, seven speakers shared their interesting research. Prof. Takizawa, from IRCMS, delivered closing remarks, and the symposium concluded successfully. Approximately 80 participants actively discussed their ongoing projects and future research collaborations throughout the symposium.

(1) Opening Remarks
Dr. Sada, IRCMS, KU	Dr. Hisao Ogawa, IRCMS, KU
(2) Session 1 Keynote
Dr. Yang, Harbard University
(3) Session 2
Dr. Honda, Kyoto University	Dr. Ito, Nagoya University	Dr. Wakahashi, CNIC
(4) Session3 Poster presentation  & discussion
(5) Session 4
Dr. Sekai, Kyoto University	Dr. Gujar, NUS
(6) Session 5 Power Hour
Dr. Yang & Dr. Kono	Dr. katada, Kyushu University	Mr. Alban, IRCMS
Dr. Takizawa, IRCMS	Dr. Ito, Nagoya University
(7) Session 6
Dr. Katada, Kyushu University	Dr. Hamano, Kyushu Inst. of Tech	Dr. Inagaki, Tokushima University
(8) Session7 Keynote
Dr. Kono, Indiana University
(9) Session 8
Dr. Suzuki, Caltech	Dr. Inaba, NAIST	Dr. Sheng, IRCMS
(10) Closing Remarks
Dr. Takizawa, IRCMS