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I am interestred in the underlaying paterns that hide within the sea of information that recent techniques have allowed access to. I did my bachelor thesis project at CICESE in Mexico where I was introduced to metabolomics. I analyzed data from metabolites of a wide range of microorganisms. During my PhD in the Husnik Unit, my aim is to perform metabolomics analyses that will help to elucidate diverse host-symbiont interactions. Outside of work I enjoy sports (mainly those that involve a raquet) and videogames

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I am broadly interested in marine invertebrates and their relationships with symbionts. During my rotation, I will compare Symbiodiniaceae distribution across different hosts (corals, foraminifera, possibly clams) and environments (seawater and sediment). Besides that, I am extremely curious to know what kinds of animals you can find in different environments around Okinawa, so I’ll be also helping with Arno’s project exploring marine and mangrove meiofauna. In my free time, I enjoy hiking, snorkeling, and diving (still haven’t done it much in Okinawa!), also trying to learn photography and social dancing (such as salsa and west coast swing).

I am interested in understanding the processes that shape the origin and distribution of marine species. Currently, my work focuses on the two most common protists associated with corals: dinoflagellates of the family Symbiodiniaceae and the apicomplexan lineage of corallicolids. My research combines fieldwork and different “omics” approaches, including genomics, transcriptomics, and spatial metabolomics, to shed light on the diversity and functions of these symbioses. I have worked as a postdoctoral researcher at the University of the Ryukyus and as a visiting fellow at the Naturalis Biodiversity Center in the Netherlands. I am passionate about Brazilian music, good beer, and summertime (even better when combined).

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I am broadly interested in coral reef microbial ecology and how bacteria and other microorganisms interact with and regulate coral reef ecosystems. Specifically, how coral-associated microbial communities across coral species provide resistance and resilience to both anthropogenic and environmental stressors from the perspective of genetics, spatial patterns, and functional diversity. In particular, my research at OIST relates to uncovering the underlying mechanisms structuring coral microbiomes and elucidating their functional contributions to coral host health and climate resilience. Outside of the lab, you’ll find me hanging out with my dog, Chopper, hiking, biking, and/or exploring any and all food and beverage scenes.

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I am interested in the evolution of plant-feeding insects and their microbial symbionts. Specifically, my research focuses on understanding the role of symbiont replacements and host niche expansion on diversification of scale insects. Previously, I have studied the taxonomy and phylogeny of scale insects, especially mealybugs (Pseudococcidae) and soft scales (Coccidae). In my research, I try to combine comparative genomics, microscopy, insect systematics, ecology, and phylogenomics to approach my scientific questions. To have even more fun, I enjoy outdoors activities such as swimming, skin diving, fly fishing, as well as collecting scale insects!

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I am interested in the role of protists in benthic biogeochemical cycles. My research is especially focused on the effects of anthropogenic disturbances such as anoxia, heatwaves and microplastic pollution on foraminifera and their symbionts. I am studying their ecology, metabolism, behavior as well as their impact on sediment geochemistry to better understand their role in benthic ecosystem functioning. I previously worked as a JSPS fellow at JAMSTEC and as a postdoctoral researcher at Lille University. Besides science, I enjoy rugby, photography, and playing board games.

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I am interested in host-symbiont interactions and reductive genome evolution in bacteria. My research focuses on how the simplest self-replicating bacteria such as Mycoplasma spp. persist in the host and how bacteria become symbiotic in the host cells. I previously worked as a postdoc at the National Institute of Animal Health in Tsukuba and in the Membranology Unit at OIST. Apart from science, I enjoy my time with family and our cats, badminton, and exploring Okinawa.

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I have a long-term scientific interest and fascination for insect-microbe symbiosis because it can provide novel avenues for the control of agricultural pest insects through targeted manipulation of the symbionts or the insect-symbiont associations. In particular, I am interested in studying the functional role of bacterial endosymbionts and other microbes in insects adaptation, nutrition, defense, metabolism, detoxification, immune functions and pest control. Insect symbionts can be also interesting sources of biotechnological applications. In the Husnik Unit, my research focuses on the interplay between scale insects and their symbiotic microbes using microscopy, molecular and omics techniques. Apart from work, I enjoy cricket, football, table tennis and playing video games.

During my undergraduate studies, I worked in a microbiology lab focussing on developing novel combination therapies for antibiotic persistent E. coli. I am now in my second year of my Ph.D. where I am studying the mechanisms of mitochondrial DNA recombination and repair. My background is primarily in molecular biology, and I hope to develop some bioinformatics experience as a research intern at OIST. In particular, I am interested in studying mitochondrial genome evolution in animals such as corals and scale insects. Outside of my research I enjoy running and learning languages.

I am interested in evolution and the marine environment. I obtained my MRes in 2015 looking at the origin of synaptic transmission in Porifera. In my spare time, I enjoy baking, the outdoors, and playing football with OIST FC.

I am interested in host-microbiome symbiosis and want to look into how such relationships have evolved and  are maintained. I studied evolutionary genomics of mangroves for my bachelor thesis and during my master course, I studied metagenomic data analysis. Beside working, I enjoy reading and traditional musicals.

My main research interests are within microbiology, and specifically within an infectious context. My undergraduate dissertation was based on Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and focused on resuscitation promoting factors and the novel therapies surrounding the use of these factors. I have a great appreciation for the complex mechanisms that allow such tiny organisms to thrive, and I am interested in studying these interactions further. My hobby is basically just listening to a lot of music.

For my master’s degree I worked in an allergy research lab, focusing on inhibitory mechanism in human basophils. Here at OIST I had the opportunity to explore interests in new fields of biology, including neuroscience and evolutionary biology. During this rotation, I’m looking forward to investigating differences in symbionts of coral reef foraminifera (Okinawa 'star sand') and their contribution to adapting to varying microhabitats. In my free time I enjoy exploring Japan and kayaking.

I joined the Husnik Unit in April 2020 when Prof. Husnik joined OIST. My job as a research unit administrator is to provide administrative support for the unit members. Outside work, I enjoy baking breads and biscuits, and knitting.

I am currently an undergraduate studying Medical Biosciences at Imperial College London (UK). I am from Okinawa, but I have been studying abroad for most of my life, so it was nice to stay in Okinawa for an internship. During the internship, I mostly worked with marine protists such as diplonemids and foraminifera. I was involved in projects on 3D electron microscopy (SBF-/FIB-SEM) and I also helped establish single cell genomics and transcriptomics protocols for a pipetting robot in the lab. In my free time, I enjoy playing basketball, volleyball and going fishing. Joining the sports clubs in OIST is definitely recommended!

I am a first-year PhD student studying evolutionary biology at OIST. I worked on the evolution and ecology of social behaviours in rhesus monkeys for my master’s degree. During the rotation with the Husnik Unit, I wish to gain understanding of evolution at the cellular level and learn more about our microbial cousins. In my free time, I enjoy taking a walk, swimming, and entertaining my neighbour’s cat.

I have a master's degree in animal bioengineering, but I decided to follow the path of cell biology and that is why I had worked at IIMCB in Warsaw for 4 years on a project devoted to receptor tyrosine kinase endocytosis in human cancer cells. I have experience in synthesis of nanoparticles and had tried to use multi-walled carbon nanotubes as a drug delivery system. I also like confocal microscopy and anything that can be fluorescently stained and visualized. At Husnik Unit I am developing my interest in marine microorganisms, in particular, I will focus on imaging of coral symbioses. In my spare time, I enjoy cooking, spending time outdoors and playing board games with my friends.

I am interested in animal behavior and genetics. I did my master’s project partly at the Seoul National University in South Korea and at the Oklahoma State University in the US. I studied the relationship between MHC-II alleles and kin recognition behavior in Bufo gargarizans tadpoles. During my rotation in the Husnik Unit, my aim is to perform comparative genomics and microscopy of various endosymbiotic bacteria found in bacteriocytes of mealybugs. During my leisure time, I enjoy cooking new cuisines and going out drinking with friends.