[:en]2016 TOMODACHI STEM @ Rice University Participants
Learn more about the 2016 participants by clicking on their names below to read their student profiles, excerpts from their weekly reports, and download a PDF of their final research project presentation at Rice.

These profiles may provide Japanese students planning to do research in the U.S. with helpful insight about what the experience may be like. Everyone’s research experience will be unique and will vary based on your research host university/city, assigned research host professor, research project, and other factors.

	Ms. Yoko Amazaki University in Japan: Osaka University Major and School Year: Chemistry, B3 Research Host at Rice Univ.: Prof. Jun Lou, Materials Science & Nanoengineering Research Project: “Study of mechanical properties of graphene oxide/polyacrylamide hydrogel”“Throughout the program changed my view towards the US graduate school and the importance of having PhD degree. I learned that PhD creates more possibilities on our careers as science and engineering students…” ~ Yoko Amazaki
	Ms. Ruriko Haraguchi Home University in Japan: University of Tsukuba Major and School Year: Engineering Systems, B3 Research Host at Rice Univ.: Prof. Yildiz Bayazitoglu, Mechanical Engineering Research Project: “Temperature of a gold nanoparticle surrounded by a liquid film”“Experiencing labs in US for my first time and seeing the reality of where I had dreamed, I came to think that I need to find out what I really want to study before I consider enrolling in a graduate school abroad. I especially felt that strong interest and motivation in some type of field is essential in order to live through the busy and challenging graduate school life in the US. US graduate schools welcome students willing to learn regardless of age, so I may one day be studying in one of the labs when my research goal becomes clear in the near future. This 5-weeks really inspired me in many ways, and I feel so grateful to have experienced this before making important decisions in my senior college years.” ~ Ruriko Haraguchi
	Ms. Mikiko Iwago University in Japan: Tokyo University of Science Major and School Year: Mechanical Engineering, B4 Research Host at Rice Univ.: Prof. Tayfun Tezduyar, Mechanical Engineering Research Project: “Moving-Mesh Method for Ice Crystal Icing Simulation” “… here in my lab, I have daily discussion sessions with my professor and seniors who have helped me to understand difficult theories by showing their research results. So I could feel that research is not individual endeavor, but team effort.” ~ Mikiko Iwagao
	Mr. Kota Katsumi Home University in Japan: University of Tokyo Major and School Year: Physics, B4 Research Host at Rice Univ.: Prof. Junichiro Kono, Electrical & Computer Engineering Research Project:”2 Dimensional Materials Magneto-spectroscopy of Bulk InSe”“By doing my research with Fumiya [graduate student mentor for his project], I could learn a lot of things about doing experiments, the attitude towards research, how to give a good presentation and so on. In addition, through this program, I could learn about difference between graduate schools in Japan and the U.S.” ~ Kota Katsumi
	Mr. Ryota Katsumi Home University in Japan: University of Tokyo Major and School Year: Physics, B4 Research Host at Rice Univ.: Prof. P.M. Ajayan, Materials Science & Nanoengineering Research Project: “Supercapacitors”“The students here have a solid goal and they are eager to do their projects. I realized this attitude is important in order to become one of the best scientists in the world.” ~ Ryota Katsumi
	Ms. Makiko Ogino Home University in Japan: University of Tokyo Major and School Year: Applied Physics, B3 Research Host at Rice: Prof. Emilia Morosan, Physics & Astronomy Research Project: “Magnetoresistance in intercalated transition metals”“Before this program, I thought that Japan is such a small country in the world of science. However, I met so many people who are interested in doing research in Japan, like an undergraduate aspiring to get Ph.D. in Japan, and a graduate who wants to work as a post doc in Japan. There are also many people who are interested in Japanese culture. I communicated with such people, hearing about the U.S. situation and telling about Japanese situation within my knowledge. I could somehow understand the importance of Japan in the scientific field and be an ambassador of my own country…” ~ Makiko Ogino
	Mr. Kosuke Okada Home University in Japan: Osaka University Major and Year in School: Electronic Engineering, B4 Research Host at Rice Univ.: Prof. Junichiro Kono, Electrical & Computer Engineering Research Project: “Modulation of optical property of carbon nanotubes applying electric field”“I realized the difficulty of scientific research again through this internship at Rice University. But, at Rice, there are many PhD course students and international students and they were very eager in their studies. It encourages me to do research hard in graduate school. The research activity at Rice University motivated me greatly and was very good opportunity to think about research in Japan objectively.” ~ Kosuke Okada
	Ms. Megumi Sakamoto Home University in Japan: Sophia University Major and Year in School: Engineering & Applied Sciences, B3 Research Host at Rice Univ.: Prof. Rick Barrera, Mechanical Engineering/Materials Science & Nanoengineering Research Project: “Carbon nanotubes functionalization for various applications”“TOMODACHI STEM @ Rice made me strong in terms of studying, doing, research, living myself….and so on.” ~ Megumi Sakamoto
	Ms. Yoko Tomo Home University in Japan: Kyushu University Major and Year in School: Aerospace Engineering, B4 Research Host at Rice Univ.: Prof. P.M. Ajayan, Materials Science & Nanoengineering Research Project: “3D material from 2D and 1D”“I’m sure that TOMODACHI STEM program @ Rice University got many experiences and connections, which were broadened my horizons, and got some goals; to communicate in English fluently, to work as a researcher in foreign countries in the future, and to return to the U.S. for researching. I’m very glad to have participated in the program and met many great people. I’d like to keep in touch with them in the future, and never forget what I learned, felt and thought through the program.” ~ Yoko Tomo
	Mr. Shuhei Yoshida Home University in Japan: University of Tokyo Major and Year in School: Mechanical Engineering, B4 Research Host at Rice Univ.: Prof. Bruce Weisman, Chemistry Research Project: “Strain Direct Mapping by Using Carbon Nanotube Strain Sensor““In the future, I want to be a principal investigator in the materials science research field and also want to be able to take leadership in big research projects. Now, I definitely believe that all of the experiences I had in TOMODACHI STEM @ Rice University program will help and encourage me to become a leader connecting different countries including Japan and the U.S.” ~ Shuhei Yoshida