【Activity Report】Doctor’s Café #35 “How to Start an Interdisciplinary Research Project: Ideas to Practice”
- Activity Report : Doctor's Cafe
- 2026.5.29
Event Overview
•Date & Time: Friday, May 15, 2026, 15:30–17:30
•Venue: Auditorium, Main Building, Fuchu Campus, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology
•Participants: 129 students (121 SPRING Fellows, 6 BOOST Fellows, and 2 students from WISE program), 8 faculty and staff members
Overview
Doctor’s Café is an event designed to promote interdisciplinary exchange and open discussion by inviting researchers, entrepreneurs, investors, and professionals from diverse fields both within and outside Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology (TUAT). This session was organized under the theme: “How to Start an Interdisciplinary Research Project: From Ideas to Practice.” The event served as an introduction to interdisciplinary collaborative research projects, providing participants with insights into the process of transforming research ideas into practical interdisciplinary initiatives. In addition to SPRING Fellows, BOOST Fellows and WISE program students also participated, creating opportunities for networking and broadening academic perspectives.
Presentation Sessions
At the beginning of the event, Associate Professor Simon Liu introduced the concept of interdisciplinary studies and provided guidance regarding the 2026 Interdisciplinary Research Project Call for Proposals. Following this introduction, representatives from three interdisciplinary research projects selected in FY2025 presented their research activities and experiences in cross-disciplinary collaboration.
Student Project Presentations
1. “Integrated Analysis using 3D Forest Structure: Biodiversity and Mobility Perspectives” Presenter: Ms. Norika Arai
2. “Localization of selenoproteins by an interdisciplinary approach combining molecular biology and EUV-based bioimaging” Presenter: Ms. Yuki Saito
3. “Do More Native Species Mean Fewer Exotics? Unraveling the Invasion Paradox” Presenter: Mr. Soki Shinkawa
Subsequently, Professor Naoko Ohtsu (Nutrient Management Research Division) and Professor Toshihisa Tanaka (Animal Symbiotic Informatics Division) introduced interdisciplinary research initiatives conducted at the One Welfare Research Institute, sharing examples from their respective academic fields.
Panel Discussion, Networking, and Feedback
During the panel discussion, the three student project representatives shared their experiences regarding team formation, the process of exploring and selecting research topics, and the insights gained through collaboration with researchers from different disciplines. They also discussed perspectives and discoveries that they had not anticipated prior to launching their projects.
Professor Ohtsu emphasized the importance of leadership in managing interdisciplinary projects. She also advised that the determination of first authorship in academic publications should be based on the degree of contribution and the extent of critical engagement in the research process. Professor Tanaka highlighted the importance of enjoying research activities and maintaining positive relationships with collaborators as a research philosophy essential for sustaining long-term academic work.
During the networking session, many students actively introduced themselves to one another, exchanged information about their research interests, and expressed enthusiasm for future interdisciplinary collaborations. Overall, the event provided participating students with practical guidance and inspiration for applying to the FY2026 Interdisciplinary Research Project program. The experiences shared by the three student project teams also served as strong encouragement for other students considering interdisciplinary research initiatives.
Program
Doctor’s Café #35
“How to Start an Interdisciplinary Research Project: Ideas to Practice”
Date and Time: 15:30~ 17:30 Friday, 15 May 2026
Location: Auditorium, Main Building, Fuchu Campus, TUAT
Language: English
Theme: “How to Start an Interdisciplinary Research Project: Ideas to Practice”
Schedule:
① 15:30–15:40
Introduction: Interdisciplinary research and an overview of the 2026 Interdisciplinary Research Project call for proposals (Associate Prof. Simon Liu)
② 15:40–16:25
Presentations of results from three interdisciplinary research projects
(1) Integrated Analysis using 3D Forest Structure: Biodiversity and Mobility Perspectives (Norika Arai)
(2) Localization of selenoproteins by an interdisciplinary approach combining molecular biology and EUV-based bioimaging (Yuki Saito)
(3) Do More Native Species Mean Fewer Exotics? Unraveling the Invasion Paradox (Soki Shinkawa)
③ 16:25–16:35
About the Advanced Research Center for One Welfare:
(A) Prof. Naoko Ohtsu: Nutrient Management
(B) Proft. Toshihisa Tanaka: Informatics for Human-Animal Interaction
④ 16:35–17:05
Panel discussion & Q&A (Prof. Tanaka, Prof. Ohtsu, and three student project representatives)
⑤ 17:05–17:30
Networking
