International Physics Course, Osaka University

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Interview with Students

Research into the Composition and Structure of Atomic Nuclei

When we examine the most basic structures and components that make up the human body and the vast expanse of the universe, we find ourselves in the same world. This is the world of nuclear physics, a science which attempts to understand the most basic structure of matter and the true nature of the forces that these structures exert upon one another. This is a world much smaller than the human eye can see, however I find the vast theme of unraveling the ultimate laws that make up the natural world and the universe to be a greatly romantic one, and one that excites my curiosity.
My current research concerns the composition and structures of atomic nuclei, made up of elementary particles, protons, and neutrons. This remains one of the unsolved mysteries of physics, and is an important area that is important in terms of helping us understand what the universe is made of. Aiming to find a new clue to the answer, I am approaching this mystery from the directions of both nuclear physics and particle physics.

I am aiming to get a Ph.D. next year, and then to find a post-doctorate position in Japan, where a strong research environment is available, working to expand my human and research network around the world.

While steady book learning is also important, my experience meeting frontline researchers has helped me to quickly understand the key points of a subject and gain a general understanding of the whole. This is one of the advantages of learning at the IPC.

A Team of Professors Guiding Us to the Frontiers of Physics

Osaka University is a leading international institution in the field of physics research. My instructors include Professor Toki, Professor Hosaka, and many other physics researchers who are well known worldwide. In a short time, they have taken us to the frontiers of physics.
They are also carrying out a large number of joint research projects together with colleagues in Japan and overseas, and collaborating researchers frequently visit Osaka University. The university also hosts many international conferences that attract researchers from all over the world. One of the attractions of Osaka University is the opportunity to communicate with these frontline researchers. Even if the fields are different from my own, hearing researchers talk about related fields always brings fresh and exciting new information, broadening my knowledge and also giving me more and better ideas.
With advanced research facilities located within the school, Osaka University has a large advantage as a physics research center, and this advantage is of great benefit to its graduate school students.

Developing Communication Skills and a Tough Spirit through Study Abroad

I am in the second year of a doctorate course. At present, I am working on my third thesis, however eventually I would like to complete 6 or 7 theses and obtain a Ph.D. I hope I can continue thereafter with research in Japan, however I expect that I may change to a different research center depending on the direction and needs of my research. Physics is a subject that transcends national borders, and we must carry out our work while communicating with persons with different histories and cultures. A diverse sense of values and human skills are necessary in order to achieve good results. That is one reason to study abroad. Studying in another country means placing yourself in a society where the culture, customs, language, and way of thinking are all different. I believe that experiencing confusion about many things and then working them out for yourself gives a person a tough mental spirit that can be useful anywhere in the world. I am confident that Osaka University, located in the beautiful and safe country of Japan, is an ideal environment for this purpose.