Japanese Government (MEXT) Postgraduate Scholarships
MEXT Alumni Personal Experiences
Dr Chris Seymour
Japanese Government (MEXT) Postgraduate Scholarship
PhD in Chemistry at Kobe University 2015 - 2018
During my undergraduate studies I travelled to Japan on holiday and immediately became enchanted by the delicious food, beautiful nature and traditional architecture. I enjoyed my time exploring Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto so much that I resolved to conduct my postgraduate research in Japan. After completion of my Masters in Organic Synthesis I applied for the MEXT Scholarship and found myself contacting professors within my field, writing research proposals and attending interviews at the Embassy of Japan. Following a pleasant discussion on medicinal chemistry with the panel of interviewers and trying my best at the Japanese language exam I found myself jetting over to Kobe University to begin my PhD in organic chemistry.
Japan has a great history of talented Nobel Prize winning chemists such as Ryoji Noyori, Ei-ichi Negishi and Akira Suzuki who have made contributions that have revolutionised how organic synthesis is conducted around the world. I found the perfect supervisor at Kobe University, Professor Matsubara who worked with Professor Hayashi (a former student of Professor Noyori). I selected Professor Matsubara since he was a new academic, he would have more time to support me and my studies and he had an impressive record working with top scientists. He had recently returned from researching in America so I knew he would be accommodating for me as a western student. We got on famously and spent almost every day relishing in depth discussions into the synthetic conundrums of my research whilst his pet hamster ‘Ga-chan’ ran about his wheel in the office. Eventually we broke through and published two research papers on our photoswitchable nitric oxide donors; molecules designed to release nitric oxide (an important cellular signalling molecule) upon irradiation with visible light.
Before starting the PhD, I was a research student and attended an intensive Japanese language class held by the International Student Center at Kobe University, this enabled me to rapidly develop my language skills which I put to good use throughout my time in Japan. Thanks to this introduction to Japanese language I immediately made great friends with my research team and we would frequent the local izakayas and karaoke bars. We discussed at great length the best ramen restaurants in the local area which were locked in a fierce and flavourful ‘ramen battle’ and we went on weekly trips to test new contenders against the established ramen artisans.
Kobe was an idyllic location to conduct my research, the university is perched upon the picturesque Mount Rokko and I was privileged to panoramic views of Osaka bay. After my first year of living in an apartment in the nearby city of Ashiya I moved up the mountain a few minutes’ walk from the lab to monitor my reactions more closely. On occasion wild boar could be spotted trotting down the mountain rummaging for truffles and tasty snacks.
Kobe itself is a beautiful city nestled between a mountain range and the sea. Located a stone’s throw away from Osaka and Kyoto and a short train ride away from Nara and Hiroshima I found my free time consumed with travelling Japan and soaking up the culture. Perhaps my favourite place was Okunoshima or ‘Rabbit Island’ where I became most popular with the local rabbits as I sauntered about the island with a whole cabbage on hand for feeding. I also flew out to Hokkaido and Okinawa for my vacations all made possible by the generous stipend the MEXT Scholarship offers.
After three and half years of hard work I was awarded my doctorate and returned home to begin working in the medicinal chemical industry. I entertain my co-workers with tales of my time spent in Japan and keep in touch with my Japanese friends. Perhaps one day I will return for another adventure.
