取材先 Interviewee：Zheng Zhiqian (Zheng), Division of Stem Cell and Molecular Medicine, Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, D1 

インタビュアー Interviewer：Li Yang (Yang), Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, D3

第７回、第８回はインタビュアー、取材先とも留学生による英文の記事です。留学生目線での対話をお楽しみ下さい。

In this interview, Lian shares her research journey into sustainable education, delving into how socio-cultural and economic aspects play a role. She chats about diversity efforts at the University of Tokyo and her experiences as an English-speaking student. The conversation also touches on the importance of making connections beyond academia.

【Part 2】Choose a path that resonates with you! 心に響く道を選びましょう!

Yang: I know you majored in pharmaceutical science during your undergraduate studies. What led you to choose this field?

Zheng: I’ve always had a fascination with biology and medicine. I recall a time in high school when I mentioned to a friend that I wanted to study tumors in the future. She responded by saying she aspired to become an oncologist (がん研究者).

Yang: Has your friend achieved her dream?

Zheng: Unfortunately, no. Her parents guided her to pursue economics as her major. However, she wasn’t keen on it, so she shifted to psychology for her master’s degree. Unlike her, I’ve always felt that I’ve been making decisions for myself. I chose a path that resonated with me (心に響く道) and I am fully committed (全力) to pursuing my dream.

Yang: It sounds like your parents didn’t overly influence your choice.

Zheng: Exactly. Though, I do have friends who pursued something they liked but later found it wasn’t what they expected. That’s okay too, as long as you take full responsibility for your decision. Blaming your parents or others when things don’t pan out (うまくいく) isn’t the right approach.

Yang: I completely agree.

～Diversity and Inclusion を実現するために～

Yang: Why did you decide to study in Japan?

Zheng: Japan appealed to me for a few reasons. It’s geographically close to China, and it’s known for being a safe country. Moreover, Japan has made significant advancements in medical research. The cost is also low compared to the US.

Yang: That makes sense. What’s your perspective on gender equality in Japan?

Zheng: I’d like to highlight that I believe there’s progress being made. In my lab, for instance, I’ve observed some male researchers who’ve adjusted their schedules after becoming fathers. They make an effort to leave work early and assist with childcare at home. One senpai told me that he’s been reading books on parenting since his wife is pregnant.

Yang: It’s encouraging to hear about a shift in sharing family responsibilities.

Zheng: But still, I find that there is a scarcity of female researchers (女性の研究者が少ない) in our field. I attended a conference earlier this year and was captivated by the remarkable work presented, but I couldn’t help noticing the absence of female researchers. We truly lack female role models.

Yang: I couldn’t agree more. The issue of women leaving academia is like a leaky pipeline (水漏れパイプ) for women scientists.

Zheng: Sometimes you don’t even know who to consult with. There are no female senpai.

Yang: I agree, we need more role models. 

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