Dr. Nagata, Dr. Yokoyama, Miyairi-san and I visited my ex-advisor Dr. Matsuishi in Hakodate. The purpose of this trip is discussing about the collaboration using valuable whale samples. Dr. Matsuishi's research group uses stranded whales for their research, and this activity is strongly supported by passionate undergrad and graduate students who belong to Hokkaido University Cetacean Research Group.
The crew from AORI explained the application of isotope analysis to elucidate unknown behavior of whale's ecology such as migration or diving behaviors. As of now, we are exploring and brainstorming which part of whale samples are most ideal for the analysis. Dr. Matsuishi kindly provided Humpback and Minke whale baleen samples, and we are hoping to discover some exciting signals or cycles from these baleen, teeth, muscles and thyroid glands.
In Japan, the usage of whale samples are really strict because scientific whaling has been very controversial and such a sensitive issue that causes political problems. These stranded samples are strictly organized by Dr. Matsuishi's group and permitted under Japanese government's authorizations.
Meeting Dr.Matsuishi and his students who are pursuing their career in whale research were very stimulating,meaningful and delightful to me. We are very impressed by their attitudes toward their research which is a pure joyness :) Their research interests vary from molecular biology, ecology and anatomy of whales. We are hoping that our approach of isotope analysis will enhance various biological studies. To me, it is getting so much fun to break the wall of different types of studies or researches.
Dr. Yokoyama also had a lecture to introduce paloeclimatology to undergrad, graduate students and faculties. For most of the people, paleoclimatology was totally new to them, but they were very attracted by the lecture. It was a short visit, but we had such a lovely time together. I love being in science in many many ways ;)
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| Dr. Matsuishi introducing Dr. Yokoyama |
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| Dr. Yokoyama lecturing |
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| Dr. Miyairi, Ms. Matsuda (D1), Ms. Kuroda (M2), Dr. Yokoyama, Tomo, Dr. Matsuishi, Dr. Nagata and precious whale samples!! |
