Hikari Okita, a since-graduated doctoral student in the Graduate School of Engineering at Nagoya University, won the "NU3MT" Grand Prize in October 2024. Held as part of the celebrations leading up to Homecoming Day, the Nagoya University 3 Minute Thesis Competition (NU3MT) gives select graduate students a chance to present their research to the public in just three minutes, with winners determined by audience voting. We interviewed Okita, whose research explores the "origin of life," to learn more about her academic journey and experiences in the PhD program.
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Congratulations on winning the Grand Prize! How did you feel during your presentation?
Honestly, I was not very confident, but I was determined to share my enthusiasm for my research. It was not enough just to make my presentation easy to understand; I had to make it engaging for everyone. No matter how well you think you have explained something, there are times when the message just does not quite get across. That is why I believe it crucial to spark curiosity and make people think, "Wow, this is fascinating!"
Before important presentations, I often rehearse with my mother over Zoom. Since she is not familiar with my research, I use her reactions to gauge if my explanations are clear and, if not, I adjust accordingly. Having family members who offer honest feedback is incredibly valuable.
Presentation slides characterized by illustrations and playful fonts, designed to convey excitement and enthusiasm.
Have you always been interested in research?
I enjoyed independent research projects in elementary school. Although it was just a minor award, I even won second place for a project where I collected microorganisms from a nearby lake, observed them under a microscope, and documented my findings. I have always loved biology and chemistry, but to be honest, as a kid I was obsessed with a competitive card game called "karuta," after starting in junior high school. I probably spent more time playing with the karuta club than studying, even participating in national tournaments during high school. However, when it came time to choose a career path, it seemed that chemical biology offered a nice balance of stable job prospects and contributing to society. I went on to enroll at Shizuoka University, located in my home prefecture.
At the end of last year, Okita competed in a tournament alongside friends from high school!
Why did you decide to pursue graduate studies at Nagoya University?
As an undergraduate, I was fascinated by organic chemistry and peptide research and wanted to keep studying these subjects. The cost of graduate school, however, was a major difficulty. When I was searching around for different funding options, I found Nagoya University's WISE Program,* which provides significant financial support for graduate students. Thanks to this program, I could fully dedicate myself to research for five years. I promised my parents that I would cover half of my mater's tuition and all my doctoral tuition, and they agreed to support my plan to continue my education.
Okita says, "I cannot help but enjoy experiments." She feels that researching deeply into a single topic suits her well.
What led you to join Professor Hiroyuki Asanuma's laboratory in the Graduate School of Engineering?
In the spring of my fourth undergraduate year, I visited Nagoya University. I was really impressed by Professor Asanuma's enthusiasm for his research. While I did not fully grasp all the details at the time, I knew I wanted to learn from someone who found such joy in scientific discovery. I also got excited when I heard that Professor Asanuma was interested in studying the "origin of life" but had not gotten around to it yet, so I realized his lab was the perfect place to pursue my research.
A group photo with Professor Asanuma (front row, center) and laboratory members.
What has been beneficial about entering Nagoya University?
The WISE Program's Graduate Program of Transformative Chem-Bio Research (GTR) has given me incredible opportunities. Last summer, with GTR support, I conducted interdisciplinary research at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge, UK. This prestigious national research institute has produced many Nobel Prize winners. I spent three months there conducting evolution experiments on RNA (ribozymes) related to the origin of life. I also learned that British people really value work-life balance. My lab members jokingly told me "You are crazy!" when I ended up conducting experiments from morning until night!
Additionally, I have had the chance to plan and manage student-led events, allowing me to connect with peers from different year levels and disciplines. Through these events, I became friends with Akari Maeda, the winner of the President's Special Award at NU3MT.
The MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, a national research institute where Francis Crick, who discovered the DNA double-helix structure and won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, was affiliated.
After completing your doctoral program, do you plan to pursue a career in academia or industry?
I originally aspired to be a researcher in a pharmaceutical company. I have had poor eyesight since my early childhood, so I wanted to develop a drug that could fundamentally cure shortsightedness. However, my perspective changed after attending some recruitment events at Nagoya University. I realized that industry research is often dictated by market trends, leading to sudden shifts in research direction and a unique set of constraints. I wanted more freedom in my research. Encouraged by Professor Asanuma, I applied for ACT-X, a research support program for young scientists run by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST). Fortunately, I was selected, which boosted my confidence and solidified my decision to pursue academia.
In the spring of 2025, I will start as an assistant professor at the Narutaki Laboratory, Institute of Biomaterials and Bioengineering, Institute of Science Tokyo. Recently, there has been an increasing focus on hiring female researchers, and I feel fortunate that the timing worked in my favor. I am truly grateful for this opportunity.
How do you hope to develop your research further?
I want to take on the challenge of creating artificial life. To begin with, there are three criteria for defining life:
- 1. The ability to self-replicate genetic material
- 2. The presence of a boundary separating it from the external environment
- 3. The ability to carry out metabolism
In our current research, we have succeeded in artificially (chemically) replicating genetic material. I now want to tackle the remaining two criteria, and I believe this is something that can only be achieved in academia. It will not be an easy journey, but I want to continue enjoying my research every step of the way!
At the Techno Symposium Nagoya 2024: Engineering Seminar for Female Students, held last November, Okita represented doctoral students, sharing insights into her research and daily life.
Outside of research, Okita enjoys playing the erhu, observing animals, and reading manga. A tanuki (top right) and kingfisher from Kagamigaike (bottom right) photographed by Okita.
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*WISE Program: A five-year integrated doctoral program introduced by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology in 2018. Graduate students engage in research in areas where multiple specialties converge, such as chemistry and life sciences, electronics and mechanical engineering, and medicine and information science, through joint research with overseas research teams and industry. Nagoya University offers four selected programs with financial support systems.
This article was originally written in Japanese by Tatsuhiko Maruyama for the "Public Relations Meidai" web magazine and published on January 14, 2025. The Nagoya University International Communications Office has translated and edited it for clarity while preserving the original content's intent. Certain information might be outdated. For the original Japanese version, please see here.