Elizabeth Oda is a researcher whose expertise lies at the intersections of AI, agriculture, and gender. She earned her B.S. in International Agriculture and Rural Development from Cornell University and her M.S. in Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. She is currently a Researcher at Braid Technologies, a start-up based in Tokyo working to accelerate advanced engineering design. As a Researcher, she develops tools that merge physics and aesthetics through a range of scientific machine learning methods.

Kathleen Brown, EdD, is a Professor at Kurume University. Kathleen has been involved in teaching and developing curriculum for humanities faculties and medical/nursing schools for over 30 years. Her research has been focused on needs assessment, curriculum development and program evaluation. One of her core values is to support and foster growth in leadership skills for women in academia and in STEM fields. In the pursuit of work-life balance, she also enjoys learning flamenco and visiting local hot springs.

Melissa Bernardino is a geophysicist in the environmental and engineering industry in Japan. She received her Bachelors of Science degree in Earth Science with a Minor in Physics from California State University Long Beach, California, USA. She earned her Ph.D. in Geophysics from the University of Colorado at Boulder, Colorado, USA. Her doctoral dissertation focused on seismology and used distant earthquakes to create tomograms (images) of the upper mantle of the Sierra Nevada mountain range in California, USA to better understand how mountain ranges are formed. Melissa is interested in science solidarity, mental health and wellness in the sciences, and learning about other scientific fields.

Dina Mikimoto graduated from Lomonosov Moscow State University with a degree in Chemistry. She then pursued an academic career, receiving two PhDs: one in Analytical Chemistry (Lomonosov Moscow State University) for her work on developing a biosensor for the detection of the anti-malarial drug artemisinin, and the other in Engineering (Yokohama National University) for the development of bioartificial pancreatic islets as a model for diabetes. Currently, she is working as a researcher at the University of Tokyo, where she is developing a model for a complication of diabetes that affects pain-sensing neurons in the skin. You can find her articles for the global community of developmental and stem cell biologists here.

Melanie graduated from the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering and capstone work in Aerospace Engineering. She is currently working as an English Assistant Language Teacher (ALT) in Ehime Prefecture, Japan. She will start work in the engineering field following the end of her contract with the JET Program.

Vaishnavi Thakur is a Ph.D. student at The University of Tokyo. With a foundation in electrical engineering, she is passionate about exploring the potential of renewable energy technologies and their applications. In addition to her academic pursuits, Vaishnavi collaborates with various organizations to create an environment where everyone feels welcomed and empowered to pursue their passion for science and technology. In her free time, Vaishnavi enjoys trying new cuisines, reading, and hiking.

Lianne is a senior undergraduate student at Keio University, majoring in molecular, cellular, and genome biology, and bioinformatics within the Advanced Biosciences academic concentration. Her research interests encompass immunology and pathology in neuroscience, with a focus on neuroinflammation and immunomodulatory mechanisms. Lianne is dedicated to fostering barrier-free and equal opportunities in science through her advocacies in science communication and mentoring. She serves as an Associate Editor for the Journal for Young Investigators (JYI), as well as a Research Mentor in Biology and Neuroscience at the Science Mentorship Institute. Before pursuing graduate studies though, Lianne aims to deepen her understanding of general immunobiology through internships and research experiences. In her free time, Lianne hops around Tokyo in search of jazz cafés and tea shops.

Gracie Moyana is a Master student in Earth Resources Engineering with a Mineral processing major at Kyushu University. She graduated with a B. Eng in Chemical Engineering from NUST, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe in 2016 and proceeded to work in the gold mining industry as a metallurgist. She also holds a BSc in Monitoring and Evaluation from Lupane State University. Her current research is aimed at the removal of arsenic from mine waste waters (Acid Mine Drainage) using microbial species and solid mine waste. The aim is to make the process as efficient and affordable as possible in order to enforce the need to reuse and recycle any and everything. In her free time, Gracie enjoys reading, cooking and sightseeing.

Negar is a Master's student in Cognitive Science at Kyushu University. Her research explores how people make decisions under uncertainty, particularly the role of eye movements in this process. She is keen to learn about cognitive biases and develop techniques to help people make better choices. In her free time, she enjoys going for a walk and having a nice cup of coffee or tea.

Adiya Koblandy is a Digital Business & Innovation major who's diving deep into data science and coding. She has a huge passion for technology and loves exploring all sorts of interests—from mastering the art of cooking to getting creative with graphic design. When she’s not busy studying, you can usually find me experimenting with different coffee brewing techniques or tasting beans from around the globe. She is dedicated to continuous learning and loves taking on new challenges to apply her skills in meaningful ways.

Riya Joshi is a freshman at Waseda University majoring in Civil and Environmental Engineering. She proudly embraces her identity as a third-culture kid who grew up in Tokyo with her Nepalese ethnicity. Deeply passionate about advocating for gender equality and fair opportunities for women in STEM fields, she envisions a future where gender equity fosters inclusive communities. Riya views engineering as a catalyst for positive societal change, particularly in developing smart cities, rural areas, and advanced infrastructure aligned with sustainable development goals. She is also eager to explore the transformative potential of artificial intelligence and technology in engineering practices to solve complex challenges and enhance global resilience. Riya emphasizes the importance of sharing engineering advancements to support the growth of developing nations while also supporting progress in developed countries. Additionally, she enjoys riverside walks, and cafe hopping, and is a major foodie who loves indulging in diverse cuisines from around the world.

Negin is currently in the second year of her Master’s studies in Ecology and Animal Behavior at Kyoto University. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology in Iran, which equipped her with skills in genetic analysis to study the fundamental behaviors of the invasive Raccoon Dog (Tanuki) on Yakushima Island and their impact on the local ecosystem. Negin is highly interested in animals’ social behavior and their interactions with the environment, which drives her passion for a career in biodiversity and wildlife conservation. She strongly believes in the importance of inclusivity and accessibility in the STEM fields and aims to contribute to this goal by participating in science communication initiatives and activities. When not in the lab investigating the genetic codes of tanuki, Negin enjoys watching movies and documentaries and playing the ukulele.

Enkhchimeg Enkhtaivan is an Environment and Development major at Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University. Her involvement in university and national hackathons fostered her interest in sustainable design. After moving to Tokyo, she became a volunteer for many startups, creative communities and organizations, aiming to learn what makes a community inclusive and sustainable. When she is not studying, she is working on writing fictional stories and dancing to Kpop.