—Why did you choose to pursue platform studies?
First, a senior whom I respected had participated in this program. Secondly, I realized the lack of public recognition of lichens. Although they are minor organisms that are not taught in compulsory education, lichens are quite commonly known overseas. Upon learning this in Thailand, where I did my undergraduate practical training, I wanted to create a society where people could learn about familiar organisms, and to do so; I wanted to absorb many things myself. Lastly, I had a strong interest in academic fields outside of my area of study. Since I was an undergraduate student, I have taken many classes outside my field of study, and I was inspired by the fact that despite the seemingly different research, the fundamental principles behind it were the same. In the Platform Studies Outlook lecture, I felt that the knowledge used in networks could be applied to improve the efficiency of tree-by-tree surveys, a research method in the field of forest ecology. In the tree-by-tree survey, there are no set rules; the forest is divided into walkable plots, and the species and size of the trees in the forest are recorded while meandering through the plots. Since each person’s method and plot size are different, there is not much uniformity. However, I believe that if the data can be standardized and made more efficient, the state of Japan’s forests will become more accessible to determine, and a more objective indicator of afforestation and the condition of the trees can be created.
—What research themes are you currently working on?
My research is on lichens. Lichens are fungi that live in a stable symbiotic relationship with algae and use a variety of locations as habitats. However, there is very little information on their habitats. Although a checklist of species is available, records of what kind of places they are found are rather general, such as rocks, trees, and so on. So, I have hypothesized that lichen habitat use is related to the characteristics of bark and tree species; thus, I am collecting data related to this.
—What have you gained through the School of Platforms program?
I am currently learning about informatics. While very few of my colleagues went on to doctoral programs, I find it fascinating to be able to learn together with my peers in the program and to be able to gather together from different fields and with the same aspirations.
—What is the platform to you (ideal situations, desirable future, etc.)?
Currently, a platform is a means to make my dreams come true. My dream is to create a world where everyone can have access to knowledge on minor organisms in the future. For this purpose, I believe it is necessary to create platforms where many people can easily identify such organisms and where minor organisms can be used as new research subjects for researchers in different fields. Ultimately, I hope such platforms will become the “spotlight” for minor organisms.
—If the goal is to improve the world just a little from where it stands today, what do you think is needed, or what would you like to do?
I have always been fascinated by living organisms, but there are many organisms in the world that I still don’t know about either. While more people are now considering global environmental issues, I would also like to see a society where people look at the living organisms around us from a more familiar perspective. It is often thought that lichens are abundant in forests, but in fact, they are also common in urban areas. However, many lichens are recognized as mold and are often removed. At the same time, research on the use of lichens is progressing, and some studies have shown that lichens have anti-cancer properties. In order to avoid wasting limited resources, I would like to create opportunities for researchers of these minor organisms to interact with society.
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