Media Relations Section

Having worked in communications and public relations in diverse sectors and countries, Tomomi Okubo has an extensive professional network. She plans and implements strategic media communications at OIST. Tomomi is the principal contact point between OIST members and the media, both domestic and international. During her time with OIST, the institution has received prominent domestic and international coverage. Tomomi also contributes by writing newspaper columns and web stories, posting social media, organizing events, and doing whatever else will bring OIST greater name recognition. Tomomi possesses an MBA and was educated in Japan and France. She is a PRSJ Certified PR Planner.

Contact: tomomi.okubo@oist.jp , 098-982-3447

Originally from Naha City, Okinawa, Hisashi Gakiya has been involved in a wide range of communication-related activities, including event operations, community relations programs, and media relations. In the OIST Media Section, he is involved in a variety of initiatives designed to communicate OIST's activities and cutting edge research to the world. After graduating from Okinawa Shogaku High School, he attended University of Hawaii at Manoa, where he studied public relations and digital media.

Contact: hisashi.gakiya@oist.jp , 098-982-3784

Kaori Serakaki is the Web and Multimedia Assistant for the Media Section. She was born and raised in Onna Village, the home of OIST. After graduating from the University of the Ryukyus, she worked as a TV director in Tokyo. After being diagnosed in adulthood with Asperger’s Syndrome, she switched to web design and intellectual property management. She is also interested in using design and video for science.

Contact: kaori.serakaki@oist.jp

See her work examples: 

• Posters
• Flyers
• Brochures

Please inquire if you would like to see more samples, such as science illustration or logos.

With an Catherine is an experienced science communicator, with an MChem from Durham University. From researching and designing exhibits for Science Museum London, to producing podcasts and features for Chemistry World, she’s talked science to a variety of audiences. At the Royal Society of Chemistry, she edited several scientific journals, from nanoscience to chemical biology and beyond, and ran the #RSCPoster conference, making chemistry trend on X in multiple countries. Before OIST, she worked at Optibrium, running their social media, webinar, PR, website and more, explaining AI to medicinal chemists, and chemistry to software developers.

Contact: CATHERINE.HODGES@OIST.JP

With an MA in Rhetoric from the University of Copenhagen, Adrian Skov takes an academic and passionate approach to building connections between experts and the public. Having worked professionally in public affairs and public relations in specialist fields for several years, he’s built a deep passion for and familiarity with the inner workings of science, which he now uses to bring closer attention the research at OIST. In his spare time, he’s exploring – through cooking, out hiking, in museums, or by reading.

Contact: a href="mailto:adrian.skov@oist.jp">adrian.skov@oist.jp

Bogna is the Social Media Lead at OIST, where she manages the institution's social media channels and digital newsletters. She has experience in marketing, public relations, and content creation in both the nonprofit and private sectors, and she is drawn to communications that advance education and drive social impact. With her background in Japanese and Japanese culture, she is particularly interested in connecting global audiences with Japan through cross-cultural communication. Outside of work, she enjoys diving and exploring Okinawa’s natural environment.

Contact: BOGNA.BALISZEWSKA@OIST.JP