Tag Archives: research

Working day is Saturday

A PhD student of mine talked about his research from 8 AM in front of professors for his preparation for the dissertation. I think he did well. He will be graduating this coming March. At 9 AM, a monthly Saturday presentation by students started. Today’s was of the second-year master students. At 11 AM, another PhD students had a presentation. I went back home for lunch. From 1 PM, two researchers came for interviews.  At 3 PM, the last PhD student had his presentation. At 5 PM, I had a discussion with a professor about our joint research. At 7 PM, I left school. I brought home a present a professor gave … Continue reading

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Budgets and Schedules

The distribution of budgets among the organizations have been decided. I asked them to make their research plans from October this year to March next year. The budget of the fiscal year 2011 was reduced because of the earthquake. We did get a big fund. We need to use it wisely and properly. It rained in the evening. Katya and Maya-san came to the office to pick me up. I brought  egg plants an office manager gave me as he did last year. I watched “Into the storm“, a story about Winston Churchill. Katya and I hardly understand what is spoken, but fortunately, I read subtitles in Japanese. It is … Continue reading

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Two interviews for possible newcomers

Schools start in April in Japan.  Now is the season when people look for new jobs. In our institute, three researchers are moving out in March and April. Today, there were two interviews: one for a postdoc position and the other for a professor position.  An Indian student studying in a Japanese university applied for the postdoc position, whereas an associate professor working in other university sought for the professor position.  They presented their researches and future plans. I think both are good.  We are expecting another two interviews in the middle of this month.

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Saturday Work

In the morning, students in the institute held their research presentations, and teachers joined.  Eight students talked, one of whom is mine.  He did a good job. After the presentation, teachers stayed for a meeting ; we are going to hold a workshop next summer in Nagano.  It is a small, 4-day workshop with approximately 80 participants, and I will chair the workshop. I am stressed these days because of the works I have, and was worried about today’s meeting, too, but the schedules I proposed were accepted, which made me feel relieved. I had lunch at home, and Katya and I went to Yanase to have a break pad … Continue reading

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Business trip to NEC in Tsukuba

I went to Tsukuba on  a business trip. We stopped at Kenkyu Gakuen Toshi Station to visit the Nanoelectronic Laboratory of NEC. A researcher in NEC and I used to work in the same laboratory in University of Illinois, although not at the same time.  We got to know each other by the introduction of the professor of the lab and have known each other for five years.  Besides, an ex-student of mine is working with him. We talked about our new research collaboration possibly starting next April.  It will be fun. It was a short one-day trip. After coming back home, I found a cactus, Katya bought. Candle is … Continue reading

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Katya and Muravej help students

I was helping a student last night. I returned home at 1:30 PM. Three students are going with me to Las Vegas.  I am daily instructing two of them. Japanese do not speak English.  Logically, neither do my students.  They are good researchers, by the way. Correcting manuscript is my work.  Katya helps them learn to speak English once a week. In spite of our efforts, presentation in English might be a bit beyond their present ability.  So I write their speech notes, and help making  their PowerPoint files.  I hope they will make good talks in Las Vegas.

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Another Farewell Party

A researcher is moving to a university in Tokyo.  We held a farewell party for him at “Ginza Haccho” in “Kofu Washington Hotel Plaza“. We had a good view of the downtown Kofu. The main dish was Sukiyaki. The researcher is very capable, and I have no doubt about his future.  Good by Tanaka-san. On the way back home by bike, I found a cake shop.  Cakes were very delicately decorated, and I bought them for Katya (and myself). Katya took this photo. We are full and having wine.  I put them in a refrigerator for tomorrow.

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junky afternoon

From 6 AM, I was busy preparing a document for inviting an Indian researcher in Germany to our university next year.  I did not have lunch at home but had cup noodles while working. After finishing the document, I rode my bike to the school administration office under the temperature of (usual) 36 C.  After the submission of the document, I rode back to make it for visitors from Japan Patent Office.  I introduced our labs and had a lecture on patents, which was interesting.  Then, I had a coke and potato chips. I also bought some snacks, because at a Sunroad drug store, they give 10-time points now. Point … Continue reading

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A bit about me and Katya

I am a university professor in Kofu, Yamanashi, Japan, teaching and researching in chemistry. Real estate is my side job. My wife, Katya, is Russian. We first met in Shenzhen, China, in 2006. We have been married for 3 years. Katya is an English teacher and a Russian/English/Japanese translator.  She is joining a Russian dachshund community. All in Russian language, though. If you are a dachshund lover (and if you understand Russian), please check it when you have time.

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