Naomi Hashimoto, a third year doctorate student (in Professor Tanaka's laboratory) majoring in applied sciences in the Graduate School of Science and Engineering, received the Silver Award at the EOS Conference held in Engelberg, Switzerland from June 29 - July 1.

This award is equivalent to student silver awards presented at international conferences. The title of her award winning research was The impact of spacer length on laser-generated gold nanomarker design, and it explained how one of two DNA strands is fastened to gold nanoparticles. With this research, the DNA which matches a DNA base sequence that is to be affixed can be selectively gathered. Ms. Hashimoto used laser technology that she learned in Germany for the fastening techniqu.

This award was the result of her overseas research. But Ms. Hashimoto says that “I struggled to communicate as a laboratory member for the first two to three months. In the beginning I thought that even if I didn't understand the technical instructions from other members, I could work things it out on my own later, but there were times I would do things different from the instructions, putting my partners in a bad mood.”

That changed her way of thinking. “If there was something I didn't understand, I would ask questions until I did. Germany is different from Japan. If you keep quiet, it is presumed that you understand.” After that, she came to understand instructions and her research progressed smoothly.

Students from all around the world and of the same generation were in the laboratory. “Although they were the same age as me, everyone could communicate in English with no problems and they worked hard at their research. That spurred me on,” Ms. Hashimoto said.

During her time overseas, there was an episode unrelated to research that made life trying. “I lost my purse,” she recalls. “I got it back three weeks later, but during that time a Japanese acquaintance helped me out. This was the hardest time for me mentally and thanks to that I became well known in the laboratory as the girl who lost her purse,” she said with a wry smile.

After that incident Ms. Hashimoto got used to German life and plugged away at her research. Her sole regret was the short length of her stay, “It was a half year exchange, but looking back that was short. I wanted to stay a year.” On her return to Japan, Ms. Hashimoto has kept in contact with other members from the laboratory.

Ms. Hashimoto is determined to be a researcher after graduating. It isn't a stable job offering lifelong employment and it involves a harsh work environment which questions one's ability. “In my time in Germany I had many experiences that I can't have in Japan. There were hard times, but I matured a lot,” says Ms. Hashimoto whose award is bound to give her a great deal of confidence.

(Student reporter Yasuaki Komuro, first year student in the Graduate School of Science and Engineering)