Our colleague, Akihosa Yamamoto, will be joining Department of Mechanical Systems Engineering, Faculty of Systems Design at Tokyo Metropolitan University as an Associate Professor starting April 1st, 2025. We will all miss him and wish him the best of luck in this new endeavor.

Here is a message from Akihisa:

I joined RIKEN iTHEMS as a research scientist in April 2024. Although it has only been a year, I truly enjoyed my time here. I have encountered many exciting and diverse research topics that have significantly expanded my scientific horizons and thoroughly enjoyed attending seminars across various fields. Due to the great diversity and high quality of the presentations, it has not always been easy to grasp the key take-home messages and formulate relevant questions. Nonetheless, I have always enjoyed the opportunity to immerse myself in these stimulating discussions. I am also very grateful for the positive atmosphere of iTHEMS, fostered by talented and considerate colleagues. It has been a great pleasure to be a part of this fantastic institute, and I sincerely thank the Program Director Hatsuda-san and every member of iTHEMS including all the assistants for collectively maintaining such a supportive environment.
I will be appointed as an Associate Professor in the Biomechanical Engineering Area in the Department of Mechanical Systems Engineering, Faculty of Systems Design at Tokyo Metropolitan University on April 1st, 2025. I plan to continue my exploration of the mechanistic understanding of homeostasis and the dynamics of living systems. I am sure that the scientific perspective and thought processes I have developed during my time at iTHEMS will remain with me throughout my scientific career. I sincerely wish for the continuous and even greater success of iTHEMS, and I look forward to staying in touch with iTHEMS members.

Author: Tetsuo Hatsuda et al.
Language: Japanese
Release date: February, 2025

Author: Hiroyasu Miyazaki
Language: Japanese
Release date: March 25, 2025

On March 24, Professor Gordon Baym gave a joint seminar hosted by the Department of Physics at the University of Tokyo and RIKEN iTHEMS, held at the Hongo campus of the University of Tokyo. His talk focused on the history of quantum mechanics, tracing its development and highlighting the contributions of key figures such as Max Planck, Albert Einstein, Niels Bohr, and Werner Heisenberg. He also discussed the profound impact of quantum mechanics on modern technology, particularly its role in the invention of the transistor and the cellphone. In addition, Professor Baym offered inspiring insights into the importance of phase information and the concept of the quantized photon.
The seminar drew more than 100 attendees, including participants via Zoom, and concluded with a lively and engaging Q&A session.

Reported by Tetsuo Hatsuda