UCL-Japan Youth Challenge 2021

Ryohei Kanzaki is a director and professor of Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology (RCAST), The University of Tokyo.

He received his B.S., M.S. and D.Sc. degree in Neurobiology from the Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Tsukuba in 1980, 1983 and 1986, respectively. From 1987 to 1990 he was a postdoctoral research fellow of the Arizona Research Laboratories, Division of Neurobiology, University of Arizona. From 1991 to 2003 he was successively an assistant professor, associate professor, and professor of the Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Tsukuba. From 2004 to 2006 he was a professor of Department of Mechano-Informatics, Graduate School of Information Science and Technology, The University of Tokyo. Since 2006 he is a professor of the Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology (RCAST), The University of Tokyo.

He is interested in clarifying behavioral and neural basis of adaptive behaviors (or biological intelligence) using interdisciplinary approaches combining biology, informatics and engineering.

From Prof Ryohei Kanzaki:

When you think of intelligence, you probably think of artificial intelligence (AI), but animals have acquired much greater intelligence (so-called biological intelligence) in the process of evolution. Biological intelligence, the capability to respond with adaptive behaviors to ceaselessly changing environmental conditions, is a hallmark feature of animals. Insects display a diversity of sophisticated behaviors adapted to their environments by the processing of a tiny brain system. Insects will become an excellent model for understanding the biological intelligence and in turn, inspire control and communication in engineering applications including AI.

In order to understand the biological intelligence in insects, we work at multiple levels, from genes, single cells of the neural system to the actual behavior. To examine the neural basis of behavior, we reconstructed a realistic neural circuit of insect brain in a supercomputer (A), and made model of the neural circuit in a mobile robot. Moreover, in order to understand the dynamics of the neural circuit, we have been developing an “insect-robot hybrid system” in which the insect (B. insect-controlled robot) or an isolated insect brain controls a robot (C. cyborg insect).

In this talk, focusing on the odor-source orientation behavior in the male silkmoth, brain mechanisms generating adaptive behavior revealed by using multidisciplinary approaches (biology, engineering, computer science, and robotics) will be shown.

Hideki Yoshimoto is a designer, artist and researcher. Hideki graduated from the University of Tokyo with BS and MS degrees in Aeronautics and Astronautics, then moved to London and completed PhD in Innovation Design Engineering at the Royal College of Art.

He founded his own studio TANGENT in 2015 in London, and has been leading the team’s creative projects utilising his inter-disciplinary knowledge.

He was appointed as a Visiting Associate Professor in Art Science at the Osaka University of Arts (2018) and as a Project Associate Professor at the University of Tokyo’s Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology (2020), where he was one of the founding members of the Advanced Art Design Laboratory.

Hideki has received many awards in both of engineering and design fields, such as Best Conference Award from the Japanese Society of Artificial Intelligence (2010), Super Creator Certification from the Japanese Information-technology Promotion Agency (2010), Red Dot Design Concept Best of the Best Award (2012), Lexus Design Award Grand Prix (2013) and Milano Design Award Best Engagement Award (2016).

From Dr Hideki Yoshimoto:

In this talk I want to share my work experience of combining design, art, craft and technology for storytelling. For the past 8 years or so, I have been working on various creative projects, in many of which my role was representing the client’s company with my artwork. The key in this activity was storytelling. Instead of “explaining” the company with literal information, I used metaphors and created an attractive, poetic story through which people could feel and understand about the company. This talk will share my thinking behind those activities. I hope students find some hints for their own projects.

Daisuke Kawata is studying the formation history of the Milky Way at Mullard Space Science Laboratory (MSSL), UCL. His main research topic is so-called Galactic Archaeology, revealing the formation history of the Milky Way from the detailed observation of the current picture of the Milky Way. Galactic Archaeology is now having an exciting time, because European Space Agency (ESA)’s Gaia mission (launched in 2013) is providing the unprecedentedly accurately measured position and motion (astrometry) of about one billion stars in the Milky Way. Combining the Gaia data with the other data from the space- and ground-based telescopes in the world, they are studying how the ancient merger with another galaxy about 10 billion years ago impacted the formation of the Galactic disk structures, when and how the bar structure of the Milky Way formed, the physical mechanism creating the beautiful spiral arm structures in the Galactic disk and where the Sun formed in the Milky Wan and travelled to the current location, using the numerical simulations and data science techniques. He is also involved in the future astrometry missions in Japan, JASMINE (Janan AStrometry MIssion for INfrared Exploration) as the Project Scientist and in Europe, GaiaNIR mission concept as a member of the expert science group. He obtained his Doctor of Science from Tohoku University in 2000. He was a postdoctoral researcher at Swinburne University, Australia (2000-2005) and Carnegie Observatories, USA (2005-2008, partly as a JSPS fellow). He is working at UCL since 2008.

From Prof Daisuke Kawata:

I will give an introductory lecture of stellar astrophysics. The lecture will introduce the Sun as a star, and explain the different evolution pathes of the stars depending on their mass. The lecture will also cover end points of stellar evolution, including the neutron stars and black holes.

Jack Hopkins is a final year PhD student working in the Ohnuma Lab group at UCL’s Institute of Ophthalmology. He completed a Bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from the University of Nottingham where he first became interested in the genetic changes leading to the initiation of cancer. Jack then moved to Imperial College London to continue his studies and obtained a Master’s degree. Here, he developed his understanding of cancer and performed research projects in three laboratories alongside leading experts in the field. Jack first examined the relationship between the immune system and acute myeloid leukaemia in mice before studying the role of ion channels on breast cancer aggressiveness. His final project was in identifying novel drug candidates to target against cancer genes. The research focus of his PhD is on the progression of an eye cancer called retinoblastoma that develops in children. He is attempting to understand the connection between retinoblastoma and the surrounding environment to develop new treatments for the disease. Upon achieving his doctorate, Jack aims to continue his current research with Professor Shin-Ichi Ohnuma before establishing his own projects and goals within academia.

From Mr Jack Hopkins:

My lecture will cover the background and new developments of my research in Professor Ohnuma’s laboratory. Retinoblastoma is the most common, intraocular cancer of infancy with a frequency of 1 in 20,000 of live births. Current treatments are invasive and often lead to loss of sight. Thus, new treatments need to be developed. Recent evidence suggests that secreted proteins can enhance or suppress the development of retinoblastoma. My research attempts to understand the relationship of retinoblastoma with the surrounding environment, and we have identified a potential new candidate for retinoblastoma. Initial analysis of retinoblastoma found a complete suppression of the PRELP gene which is normally expressed in retinal tissues. Removing this protein in mice increased proliferation of the retina that is not observed in typical mice. We investigated the pathways responsible for this proliferation and found strong similarities with human retinoblastoma. Therefore, we studied the functional role of PRELP by applying PRELP protein on isolated retinoblastoma cells in culture. We found that PRELP could regulate a large number of cancer-associated mechanisms, inhibiting progression. Now, our experiments employ novel technologies to produce a more detailed model of the interaction of PRELP on retinoblastoma, such as single cell RNA profiling. In the future, we aim to confirm our current data on freshly isolated retinoblastoma tissues with the goal of establishing clinical trials using PRELP either as a primary treatment or in combination with chemotherapy to help preserve vision during treatment.

Yasu Takeuchi is Associate Professor of Molecular Virology at Division of Infection and Immunity, UCL. He has been based in London since 1990 initially at Institute of Cancer Research and then UCL working on a variety of projects. He studied Biochemistry at University of Tokyo and obtained 2-year MSc on physicochemical study of nucleic acids and then PhD on molecular biology of small nuclear RNA (study carried out at National Cancer Center, Tsukiji, Tokyo). He started his research on retroviruses at Gunma University, Japan in 1986. Since then he has been working on human viruses, HIV and HTLV and mammalian gammaretroviruses. Yasu’s translational research has been mainly focused on Retroviral/Lentiviral Vector production and safety in Gene Therapy and xenotransplantation. Since September 2016, he has been seconded for 30% of time to Advanced Therapies at NIBSC from UCL.

From Dr Yasu Takeuchi:

Evil viruses can be used for our benefit. For example, the AIDS virus (HIV) can be made harmless and carry therapeutic genes to be used to treat patients in so called Gene Therapies. This lecture will cover (i) current progress in gene therapy, (ii) principles of viral vectors, (iii) challenges in gene therapy clinical application. Additionally, the current PhD student in Biochemical Engineering, Noor Mujahid who has experience in working in the hospital and industry, will discuss career in the cell and gene therapy field.

Noor Mujahid graduated from UCL School of Pharmacy in 2017 with a Masters in Pharmacy. She went on to do her clinical training at Cambridge University Hospital before moving to GSK. At GSK Noor trained in formulation of early-stage oral solid dose medications before transitioning to Cell and Gene Therapy process development. Here she worked to support the development of new cell therapies with a focus on Lentiviral Vectors. Having enjoyed this area of research Noor decided to pursue a PhD. She is now working towards a PhD at UCL Biochemical Engineering department on downstream vector purification strategies. Noor still practices as a Clinical Pharmacist as it allows her to appreciate the final step in delivering these therapies.

Toru Kitagawa is a Professor of Economics at UCL, specialising in econometrics methods and practice.

He was born in Aichi-prefecture in Japan and studied Urban Engineering in the Unversity of Tokyo.

Toru joined UCL in 2009 after obtaining Ph.D in Economics from Brown University in the United States.

From Prof Toru Kitagawa:

How to use data to improve our policies? My lecture will cover how economists make use of data and statistical tools to assess and design public policies.

David Bowler is a computational physicist, using computers to run quantum mechanical calculations of the properties of materials. Working in close collaboration with groups in Japan and France, he has developed an approach that can provide accurate calculations for millions of atoms. David applies these methods to understanding the properties of nanometre scale structures on semiconductor surfaces.

From Prof David Bowler:

I will give a brief introduction to some of the ideas that underlie quantum mechanics and nanotechnology, and explain why both are important. I will then describe how we can use some of the features of quantum mechanics to perform extremely sensitive measurements of atomic structures on surfaces, and to perform calculations of these same surfaces. I will discuss how it is important for experimental and theoretical approaches to work together to understand fully the properties of the nanoscale.

Helge Wurdemann is a roboticist and Associate Professor of Robotics leading research on soft haptics and robotics at UCL Mechanical Engineering. He is also Co-Director of the Intelligent Mobility at UCL (IM@UCL) lab, a full-size driving simulator. His Soft Haptics group focuses on the hardware design and application of soft material robotic systems that have the ability to change their shape and stiffness on demand bridging the gap between traditional rigid and entirely soft robots. Dr Wurdemann creates and embeds innovative stiffness-controllable mechanisms as well as combine advanced Artificial Intelligence with control strategies in robotic prototypes emerging from his lab.

Dr Wurdemann has authored/co-authored more than 70 peer-reviewed papers. The majority of his journal papers are in the top journals of the field, including top transactions and journals of the IEEE and ASME and proceedings of the leading national learned societies in the field, IMechE and IET. He has published his research findings in refereed conference papers in the proceedings of leading conferences in his field. He currently is Associate Editor for prestigious robotics conferences (ICRA and IROS) and serves as Associate VP within the IEEE Robotics & Automation Society Conference Activities Board and as member of the IET Robotics and Mechatronics TPN Executive Board. He is Co-General Chair of the IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation 2023, the premium robotics conference, which will be hosted for the first time in the UK.

From Dr Helge Wurdemann:

Departing from traditional types of robots, which are based on an arrangement of rigid link elements connected via joints, soft material robots are made of fundamentally different structures. With the increased interest in the use of soft materials for the creation of highly dexterous robots, soft material robotics has established itself as an important research topic within soft robotics. This talk will present a number of soft material robots with applications in healthcare, industrial settings and autonomous driving. Examples include miniaturised soft, stiffness-controllable manipulators for minimally invasive surgery and large-scale structures that guide drivers when changing between different levels of autonomy in highly automated vehicles. Scalability, stiffness controllability and modelling are challenging topics in the field of soft robotics that will be discussed along with innovative opportunities for future systems.

Manish K Tiwari is a Royal Society Wolfson Fellow and Professor of Nanoengineering in University College London (UCL). He directs Nanoengineered Systems Laboratory in UCL Mechanical Engineering, which he founded in late 2013. Prof Tiwari received his PhD from the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) in 2009. After graduating, he first did postdoctoral research in the Laboratory of Thermodynamics in Emerging Technologies at ETH Zurich. After two years as a postdoc, he became a Group Leader in the same Laboratory and stayed on at ETH Zurich for two more years. Prof Tiwari joined UCL in late 2013 as a Lecturer and became a Professor in 2018.

With diverse and international team, and a wide-range of collaborators, their research focuses on interfaces – encompassing small scale manufacturing and transport phenomena for new healthcare and energy technologies. He also leads a platform in UCL’s Wellcome/EPSRC Centre for Interventional and Surgical Sciences (WEISS) and is a joint-lead on the manufacturing research at UCL EAST, the new UCL campus being built at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. He has been fortunate enough to win the prestigious European Research Council (ERC) Starting Grant and the Royal Society Wolfson Fellowship.

From Prof Manish K Tiwari:

Nanoegineering has a remarkable potential for a positive impact on humanities biggest challenges such as sustainable energy production and healthcare technologies. In this presentation, I will share our work on nanoengineered materials which are broadly motivated by a desire to help address these challenges. To start with, I will introduce our work on nanoengineered and non-wetting surfaces and coatings. Such surfaces, among other things, can help control phase change processes (such as vapour condensation, water freezing etc.) and enable robust self-cleaning features. This can not only help design better umbrellas and raincoats, but can have a major impact on transport systems and infrastructure (roads/buildings/bridges) for example. It can also improve the efficiency in several energy production systems such as condensers in steam power plants, solar panels in photovoltaic systems, and blades for wind turbines, etc. Next, I will share some insights on how by adding mechanical flexibility to such surfaces we can improve their robustness and widen potential applications to protection against harsh weather. Finally, I will share some new findings on flexible piezoelectric and piezocatalytic nanocomposites which can harvest otherwise wasted mechanical energy. These piezoelectric/piezocatalytic materials have self-poling feature that enables ready prototyping of piezoelectric sensors and energy harvester. Additionally, these materials are also able to clean harmful dyes from wastewater without requiring any light source. This opens exciting possibilities for future energy harvesting, water remediation and sensing for healthcare applications. I will finish by sharing a personal perspective on future opportunities.

Dr Ryo Torii is an associate professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, University College London (UCL). He received a PhD degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Tokyo in 2003. Following the period that he spent as a researcher at University of Tokyo, Rice University (Texas, USA) and Imperial College London, he joined UCL in 2012 as a lecturer. His expertise is development and application of computational methods in cardiovascular biomedicine. He has been enthusiastically working towards translation of computational modelling to address clinical problems, especially those related to aortic and coronary artery diseases, which is achieved through his multidisciplinary and international collaborations with 26 hospitals and institutions in 13 countries.

From Dr Ryo Torii:

Computational modelling is to use mathematical formula that represent physical phenomena, in order to simulate or predict various real-world events. In this lecture, you will learn how computational modelling is used in biomedicine, to help patients and doctors, along with some basics – examples of mathematical equations and how those are described in computer programs (i.e., coding).

Computational modelling started for industrial applications, such as air flow computational simulation for aerodynamic design of automobile body or aeroplane wings, but in more recent years, its application is widened to vast variety of problems in engineering, chemistry, medicine and even finance. One typical example relevant to our daily life is weather forecasting, for which atmospheric aero and thermodynamic equations are solved on supercomputers to make the forecast more accurate. Modelling in biomedicine – predicting disease progression and/or outcome of medical treatment – is clearly another example with a significant impact to our life.

The lecturer, Dr Torii, started his research career as a mechanical engineer/computer scientist, developing his own software to simulate blood flow in brain aneurysms for prediction of their risk. He continued to work on development and application of computational modelling tools in cardiovascular biomedicine, primarily related to simulation of blood flow, and work extensively with medical doctors in different specialities. Based on his experience, the lecture will cover topics from basic knowledge of modelling to advanced research examples, including his recent aerodynamic analysis of COVID-19 spread in hospitals.

Wataru Tage, who hails from Japan, was educated in England and graduated from UCL with a BA with Honours in Linguistics, in 2018.

His international background led him study language and languages, in which he explored the relation between second language acquisition and Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLDs), such as dyslexia.

He currently resides and works in London.

From Mr Wataru Tage:

Linguistics is all about language and languages.

This lecture will introduce you to the basics and the sub-fields of lingustics, and my personal experience of studying at one of the world’s leading universities; UCL.

Linguistics is the scientific study of language and languages, and as language relates to communication, it is well connected to phychology, and more broadly, brain schiences.

Are you interested in both the arts and the sciences? Do you find learning languages fascinating? Linguistics might be of interest to you.

Masako Shimato is a 4th year medical student at University College London. Having been brought up in Japan for 17 years, Masako was awarded with a full scholarship to attend UWC Mahindra College in India by Keidanren, the Japanese largest economic organisation. She completed International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme and entered UCL Medical School in 2017. Along with her study, she takes part in various extracurricular activities. This year she won the Seed Award in Vision Hacker Award for SDGs 3 for her global health project.

From Ms Masako Shimato:

Are you interested in studying in one of the UK universities? As a Japanese student currently in studying medicine at UCL, I will talk especially about my rationales to choose UK, my course and my extracurricular activities.
I am also willing to answer any question you may have regarding studying in the UK and to introduce some scholarships available!

Toshinori Sano is a counsellor working for the Embassy of Japan in the UK.

From Mr Toshinori Sano: 

I will talk through Scholarship program (MEXT) from the UK to Japanese universities.

Moeko Oshiro is International Programme Associate at JSPS London.

JSPS is a research funding agency to support research and research collaboration inside and outside Japan.

She hopes that participants are interested in various funding agencies and enjoys the programme.

From Ms Moeko Oshiro:

If you would like to pursue your research during your university days or be interested in collaborative research with Japan, today’s lecture will be helpful in the near future. JSPS is promoting collaboration in scientific research in Japan and other countries. I will explain what JSPS is and introduce fellowship programmes to young researchers.

Martin White leads on student recruitment strategy and operations for the UCL Centre for Languages & International Education (CLIE). He overseas marketing and communications for UCL’s pre-degree courses for international students, raising the profile of these courses across 5 world regions alongside UCL degree programmes. This includes: conversion activities; building relationships with key educational, governmental and commercial stakeholders; market and competitor research; managing a network of educational agents.

After leaving university Martin lived in Japan for three years, teaching English. His love for travelling and different cultures continues.

From Mr Martin White:

UCL Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates are foundation courses for international students whose high school qualifications do not allow direct admission to an undergraduate degree.

Students from Japanese high schools will need a foundation year if they wish to study their undergraduate degree at UCL.

The session will introduce the course and what we are looking for in suitable applicants.

T Tanaka has been in charge of scholarship program at the Yanai Tadashi Foundation for three years. He would like you to understand our founder’s aspiration, our mission and vision.

From Mr T Tanaka:

We will share our scholarship program for Japanese students who are going to enter University of US or UK.
In addition this, we have these program below with Yanai Scholars.

• Introduction to UK universities
• The Application Process
• Panel Discussion: why we chose the UK
• Q&A

The Yanai Tadashi Foundation supports aspiring and passionate students to acquire advanced knowledge on a global level. At the same time, it fosters community connecting the scholars to each other intellectually, encouraging them to utilize and enhance their talents. We hope that Yanai Tadashi Foundation scholars will lead various fields of society with a sense of mission in the future and take action with us to realize a better society and pass it on to the next generation.

Caroline Skanne is the founder & editor of ‘hedgerow: a journal of small poems’ & has edited ‘Blithe Spirit’ (the journal of the British Haiku Society) since 2019. Born in Stockholm Sweden, she now resides in a village by the river Medway, UK.

Gerry Gavigan is a founding trustee of the London Go Centre, a charity and permanent home for the promotion, study and playing of the game long associated with Japanese culture.

From Mr Gerry Gavigan:

Go has been played in Japan for about 11 centuries. Even if a Japanese does not play, a little bit like Chess in the West they will know about it. As I will be talking to two audiences, I will start by introducing the game to UK students, most of whom will not have heard of this game. I will then discuss some structural aspects of the game that might not be so obvious to everyone. I will use this to support my concluding remarks about the origins of Go in Europe, but will start my journey going back in time with that famous win in 2016 by a British player against the world’s #1 which absolutely no-one expected.

Akemi Lucas, also known as Koshu is a shodo calligraphy master and painter specialising in sumi artwork.

She was born in Japan, small town called Mito, Yamaguchi prefecture and started learning calligraphy from the age of eight.

Koshu was qualified as a calligraphy teacher at the age of 24. Her distinct style of calligraphy builds on traditional skills and further embodies the fusion of the ancient and the modern, the eastern and the western, and the before and the after.

Currently Koshu is based in the UK, working on teachings and also creating her artworks. She has worked for the Rugby World Cup and the British Olympic team and her artworks have been exhibited in countries such as Japan, America, Georgia and the UK.

From Koshu:

• About me (intruding myself briefly).
• Origin of Chinese characters.
• How calligraphy started in China and calligraphy brushes and papers at that time. The role of the master calligrapher Wang Xizhi (王羲之) from 4th Century.
• How calligraphy was introduced in Japan along with Buddhism. The role of Prince Shotuku (聖徳太子) from 7th Century and a Japanese Buddhist monk & calligrapher Kukai: Koho Daishi (空海: 弘法大師) from 8th Century.
• The development of brushes and calligraphy papers in Japan.
• How Sumi-e ink painting became popular in Japan and the role of Sesshū Tōyō (雪舟) the most prominent Japanese master of ink and washi painting from 15th Century.
• Modern state of Japanese calligraphy and Sumi-e ink painting.

Yuko Kobayashi Boff is a member and lecturer of the Omotesenke Tea School. She has been studying Tea since she was a teenager in Tokyo, and currently practises both in Japan and London.

From Ms Yuko Kobayashi Boff:

Long used to welcome honoured guests and mark significant occasions, the ancient Japanese Tea Ceremony involves much more than preparing and serving tea. Sometimes known as the Way of Tea, it brings together many elements of Japanese culture and art: pottery; calligraphy; flower arrangement and kimonos; all suffused with the aesthetic and philosophy of Zen Buddhism. Japanese Tea Ceremony offers a tranquil and beautiful space to clear the mind and soothe the soul.

1. Ryurei-shiki Tea Ceremony: Originally introduced to welcome foreigners, it uses a table and chair. I will present and demonstrate some of the procedures and utensils we use.
2. Outline of history of ‘Sado’ (Tea Ceremony): How was Tea Ceremony established.
3. About ‘Matcha’ (Japanese green powder tea): why is it so green?

Yutaka Kamada founded DoGA, a computer graphic animation promotion organisation, while he was at university. It later became a joint-stock company. He developed Japan’s first 3D CG animation production system that runs on a PC. Yutaka established “CG Animation Contest”. Currently, he produces a large number of top creators who are active in Japan and worldwide.

From Mr Yutaka Kamada: 

There are children and young adults all over the world who want to make their own animations, but they can’t make them like professionals.
If we could make it possible, there would be a big market for it.
In this presentation, I will show you our technology and introduce you to the business of creating a new visual culture.

In this business presentation, I will make a concrete proposal of a feasible business and ask for your support. I am looking for people who are willing to do this business. After the presentation, we will freely discuss the problems and actions to be taken.