Technology Partnership of Nagoya University, Inc.
World Class Research Contributing to Society
NU Friends Scholarship
The Nagoya University Alumni Association (NUAL) US Chapter, also known as 'NU Friends,' provides the 'NU Friends Scholarship' to current Nagoya University students seeking to engage in international research or business activities in the U.S.
Voices of Our Scholars
2025 Scholar: Mio Hattori
Senior at the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Nagoya University
Purpose and Overview of Activities
I lost my grandparents to cancer when I was in elementary school. At the time, I was unaware that their cancer might have been curable with access to newly developed drugs. However, such treatments are often prohibitively expensive and are not accessible to all patients in need.
This experience led me to pursue the optimization of drug development processes to make pharmaceuticals more accessible. Currently, I am affiliated with the Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences at Nagoya University, where I am engaged in research on quality control technologies that contribute to improving the efficiency of drug development processes. This research directly aligns with my long-term goal of optimizing drug
development.
As part of this program, I visited the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC). The Eshelman School of Pharmacy at UNC is recognized as one of the leading institutions in pharmaceutical education and research, with cutting-edge initiatives in drug development.
During my visit, I participated in laboratory tours and discussions with researchers, which allowed me to gain deeper insights into the current state of drug development in the United States and the challenges within its research processes. In addition, I attended The Facility of the Year Awards (FOYA), organized by the
International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering (ISPE), where I learned about the latest trends in the
pharmaceutical industry and established connections with researchers and industry professionals.
Results of Activities
1. Laboratory Visits and Facility Tours at UNC
I conducted six laboratory visits and facility tours at UNC. In addition to discussions with professors, I participated in lab meetings and engaged with students. Furthermore, through participation in Journal Clubs, I not only deepened my understanding of scientific literature but also discussed analytical methodologies with students. This experience enabled me to recognize the potential for applying knowledge beyond my own field of specialization.
2. Conference Participation
I attended the FOYA conference held in San Diego, organized by ISPE. The conference included panel discussions on the future of pharmaceutical facilities, as well as opportunities to observe real-world marketing activities among companies. Through these experiences, I gained practical insights into industry trends at an operational level. Moreover, through direct conversations with industry professionals, I was able to expand potential opportunities for future internships.
3. Visit to NU Tech and NC State University Global Campus
I visited NU Tech, which supported this program, as well as the office at North Carolina State University, one of Nagoya University’s global multi-campus sites. During the visit, I received an explanation of the functions and operational structure of the facility as a hub utilized by Nagoya University students. Through this experience, I gained a clear understanding of how NU Tech’s support sustains and advances the university’s international activities.
Future Prospects
Through this visit to the United States, I was strongly inspired by the proactive and selfdriven attitudes of students, while also gaining a deeper understanding of the strengths of the Japanese pharmaceutical industry and the complementary capabilities of global companies through interactions with industry professionals. These experiences led me to recognize that further advancement in drug development requires the establishment of international collaborative frameworks that leverage the unique strengths of each country. Moving forward, I will build upon the knowledge and network gained from this experience and continue to engage in research aimed at improving the efficiency of drug development processes. Specifically, I aim to further develop my current work on quality control technologies to contribute to the rapid and standardized evaluation of drug development processes. In the long term, I aspire to establish a globally oriented pharmaceutical-related venture, disseminating technologies originating from Japan while integrating the strengths of different countries to create a more efficient and sustainable drug development ecosystem.
In addition, I intend to share the knowledge and international perspectives gained through this experience within my research environment and broader community, thereby contributing to the development of human resources and the enhancement of awareness in the field of drug development.
Acknowledgements
I would like to express my sincere gratitude for being selected as a recipient of the NU Friends Scholarship. Through my laboratory visits and conference participation in the United States, I was able not only to deepen my expertise but also to gain knowledge in related interdisciplinary fields. Many aspects of this experience, including arranging laboratory visits and managing conference participation, were new to me, and I initially felt a sense of uncertainty.
However, thanks to the generous support of NU Tech and the faculty members at UNC, I was able to successfully complete this program. I am committed to applying the experiences gained through this scholarship to my future studies and research, and to growing into a professional capable of contributing both domestically and internationally. Once again, I sincerely appreciate the opportunity provided through this support.
2024 Scholar: Taiga Yamamoto
Junior at the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, School of Engineering, Nagoya University
Purpose and Overview of Activities
I have been aspiring toward space since kindergarten, and I am currently dedicated to research in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. Today, as I've become deeply involved in space engineering research and development, I've developed a desire to "connect more deeply with students worldwide" and "conduct research with people from around the world." In this activity, I participated in the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) SciTech Forum held from January 6-10, 2025, attending for discussion and networking. Additionally, I revisited North Carolina State University, with which I had previous connections, and participated in the meeting of the local space engineering community for students, NCSU SEDS Chapter, to deepen exchange at an organizational level.
Results of Activities
1. Academic Exchange at the AIAA SciTech Forum
The AIAA SciTech Forum featured approximately 5,000 presentations, among which I participated in sessions on:
Presentations by researchers from across the United States and Europe provided valuable perspectives for considering my research activities at Nagoya University's laboratory from a more global viewpoint.
In addition, I engaged in discussions with presenters during each break, allowing for practical dialogue from the perspective of "how to actually realize these technologies."
Remarkably, numerous NASA researchers and executives of U.S. private companies that recently accomplished in-space experiment were in attendance, providing valuable networking opportunities. I continue to maintain contact with people I met after the conference, and I believe these ongoing relationships will be valuable connections for future research activities.
2. Exchange with NCSU SEDS Chapter Members
At North Carolina State University, I was able to reunite with members of SEDS (a space engineering community spread across the United States) whom I had known previously. They are developing projects aimed at participating in the URC (University Rover Challenge, an international Mars rover competition) and continue to learn from each other through weekly meetings where around 50 members present topics related to space development that interest them. This time, I was given the opportunity to participate in their meeting and introduce projects started-up in Japan. I was able to speak to approximately 10 members and deepen our exchange. Some were those researching in the same field, and some planning short-term study in Japan a few months later, allowing me to build important relationships that can continue and develop in the future.
3. Sharing Knowledge and Giving Back to Japanese Colleagues
After returning to Japan, I shared my experiences with members of the Nagoya University space development team NAFT, which I belong to as a club. Also, I shared with colleagues involved in lunar development projects. What was particularly impressive about my experience in the United States was the fundamental difference in space development goals between Japan and the U.S. For instance, in the context of human space exploration, while conferences often center discussions on lunar development in Japan, Mars is recognized as the ultimate goal in the United States. The Moon is positioned merely as a practice ground for going to Mars. In the conference's Space Exploration session, 70% of presentations focused on development with Mars, while 30% focused on near-term lunar development. Although heavily dependent on political backgrounds, I could tangibly feel that the future vision each conference participant envisioned clearly included "living on Mars." This difference in perspective is also an important viewpoint for development in Japan, and I believe sharing such experiences has helped provide reference information for my colleagues' goal setting and their career paths.
• Manned Lunar/Mars exploration
• Medical research toward constructing human habitation in space
• Rotating detonation rocket engines
Future Prospects
Through this experience, I became aware of the differences in the environment of space engineering research and development in the United States, while also building stimulating relationships through exchanges with students. There is no doubt that opportunities for international cooperation will continue to increase as our generation engages in space development. Now that I understand the differences in communication style and the way of research across countries, I will take them into my own research project. Furthermore, building on the international connections established, I am planning to implement a larger international exchange event in Tokyo in a few months, incorporating students from Japan, the United States, and Europe.
Words of Gratitude to Scholarship Donors
Finally, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the donors of the NU Friends Scholarship who supported such a valuable opportunity. Without offline interactions on-site, I would not have been able to sense the "common understanding" rooted in the local community or deepen intimate exchanges. I will continue activities to help space development enthusiasts around the world learn from each other's diverse perspectives.
2023 Scholar: Mariko Yoshida
Senior at the Department of Informatics, Nagoya University
In September 2023, I traveled to Minnesota, United States with the support of the NU Friends Scholarship to conduct research on the technology usage of the elderly and the provision of tech help resources in the region.
I am writing this report to provide an account of my activities and express my heartfelt gratitude to the generous supporters of this scholarship.
Outcome of the Activity
During my visit to Hennepin County, Minnesota, I had the opportunity to visit both the Edina Senior Center and the Eden Prairie Senior Center. At these centers, I observed senior tech help sessions and engaged in discussions with the staff members responsible for organizing these programs. This research endeavor was a crucial component of my graduation thesis, which focuses on the utilization of information technology by the elderly, conducted at the School of Informatics at Nagoya University.
At the Edina Senior Center, I observed IT sessions led by a local IT expert. Participants brought their personal information technology devices, including smartphones, tablets, and laptops. I had the privilege of interacting with one senior who shared her technology-related challenges, particularly due to English not being her first language. This issue appears to be a common occurrence in the United States. I also had informative discussions with the dedicated staff members at the center.
In contrast, the Eden Prairie Senior Center hosted an event where local high school students aided elderly residents with their technology needs. This event featured multiple simultaneous sessions in a single room, allowing for interactions between the seniors, staff, and students. The staff member I conversed with emphasized the value of intergenerational interactions, a concept I had the chance to witness in action.
In addition to my observations, I conducted interviews with an elderly couple and their family to gain further insights into technology usage among the elderly. It became evident that technology use is a significant concern within elderly communities in the United States, often hindering their access to essential public and medical services.
I intend to incorporate these findings into my research group's discussions at Nagoya University and include them in my graduation thesis. Furthermore, I plan to present my research at an upcoming research conference in Nagoya.
Appreciation for the Scholarship Supporters
I am extremely grateful to have been a recipient to this scholarship. This scholarship has afforded me the opportunity to broaden my research perspective on a global scale through the invaluable observations and interviews I conducted in the United States. I am committed to further advancing my research endeavors at Nagoya University, leveraging the knowledge I have acquired during this scholarship-funded experience. Moreover, my aspiration is to contribute to global society by continuing my research work in the United States in the future.