Fellow Researchers and Research Themes

Huong Minh Nguyen, Vietnam

Affiliation in Home Country	Institute of Biotechnology (IBT), Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST) Title (Position): Researcher
Research Themes	Study on Bacillus secondary metabolism Detection of endospore-forming Firmicutes by real-time PCR
Laboratory	Applied Microbiology Unit, Division of Food Biotechnology
Advisor	Dr. Takashi INAOKA

Comments

For years, JICA-KIRIN Fellowship Program has been giving an opportunity for researchers from various countries including Vietnam to come to Japan to strengthen their research skills and promote collaborations. This year, I was lucky to be chosen by the program to come and work under the guidance of Dr. Takashi Inaoka at the Applied Microbiology Unit, Food Research Institute, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, NARO (NFRI). Based on Dr. Inaoka’s previous works, we set out to investigate the function of neotrehalosadiamine (3,3’-diamino-3,3’-dideoxy-α,β-trehalose; NTD) on the regulation of Bacillus central metabolic pathway. Another project we plan to work on is the detection of endospore-forming Firmicutes using PCR technique. Both projects have great potential for applications in the food industry.
When I first came to Japan, everyone said I was lucky to be able to see the last of cherry blossom this year. In fact, I feel lucky everyday going to work at the Applied Microbiology Unit where I become a member of a group who teaches and inspires me in so many ways. I learned how to get works done in the most efficient way with focus and resilience, and I learned that in order to become a reliable colleague, I have to maintain consistency in each and everything that I do.
There is a saying that goes “Everyone comes to Japan and leaves with some positive changes.”. I have already experienced changes that will make me a better researcher and person, and I know there will be more to come. So for this invaluable opportunity, ever so much, I wish to sincerely thank JICA, KIRIN Holdings Company, and NARO. I am especially thankful to my adviser Dr. Inaoka and all our unit members, Hemmi-san and Maho-san and all staff of NFRI administration office, and my three other fellows. Thank you for your warm welcome, your constant support and encouragement, and your friendship. These are the things I will take with me when I go back to Vietnam.

Abdullah Iqbal, Bangladesh

Affiliation in Home Country	Department of Food Technology & Rural Industries, Bangladesh Agricultural University Title (Position): Professor
Research Themes	Non-destructive Authentication of Honey
Laboratory	Nondestructive Evaluation Unit, Division of Analytical Science
Advisor	Dr. Mizuki Tsuta

Comments

Every researcher of developing countries desires to have an opportunity to conduct research in Japan. It is my great pleasure that I have been awarded this opportunity. Therefore, I gratefully acknowledge JICA-KIRIN and National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO) for giving me the opportunity to carry out research in Food Research Institute, NARO (NFRI), Japan through the JICA-Kirin fellowship. My research in NFRI will focus on authentication of honey by spectroscopy. Authenticity of foodstuffs became a major issue for the consumers and producers worldwide. In the case of honey, authenticity is related to both geographical and floral source determinations as well as the detection of unwanted substances. In this research, a comprehensive non-destructive quality prediction and adulterants detection of honey will be developed to get an indication about the overall quality of honey.
The research facilities of NFRI is excellent in a word. Team members of Nondestructive Evaluation Unit are very cordial and caring about my research, my personal life in Japan etc. The amiable personality of my research advisor, Dr. Mizuki Tsuta impressed me very much. Each moment I learn something from him not only related to my research work but also how to deal with colleagues, behave with others, etc. This is an important achievement for me and I believe that these will change my personal attitudes in the coming days. I had a good impression about Japanese culture, people, foods, etc. by reading different books and hearing from colleagues. But I found these are more than my imagination! Japanese people are so polite and friendly, and they deserve all the respect. The pleasant sceneries around my host institute and Japan, seem to be the unique creation of God. We will miss the lovely sceneries after April 2020, but we will keep these memories in our mind forever!

Phyu Lay Myint, Myanmar

Affiliation in Home Country	Department of Agriculture (DOA), Agricultural Extension Division, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation (MOALI) Title (Position): Staff Officer
Research Themes	Preliminary Risk Management Activity for Risk Based Food Safety Policy Making of Retailed Ready to Eat Food (RTE)
Laboratory	Food Hygiene Unit, Division of Food Safety
Advisor	Dr. Yasuhiro INATSU

Comments

Firstly, I would like to express my special thanks to JICA and KIRIN Holding Company for inviting me as a fellow from Myanmar and giving me a great chance to study in Japan. This is my very first visit to Japan, and I got an opportunity to learn and know about Japanese culture. Secondly, I would like to show my heartfelt thanks to my host institute, Food Research Institute, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, NARO (NFRI) for their dedicated arrangements to provide great comfort for living and studying, as well as their abundant and excellent equipment support. Finally, I would like to show my utmost thanks to my advisor Dr. Yasuhiro INATSU, leader of Food Hygiene Unit under Division of Food Safety at NFRI, for his reliable and comprehensive teaching methods to bring up a person like me who has only grass-root background, and to all of my lab-mates for showing me their charming habits and always helping me with lots of things other than my research work. Moreover, I would like to express my honest thanks to my affiliation in Myanmar (Department of Agriculture (DOA)) for giving me the chance to study microbiology. In Myanmar, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation is still trying to implement activities of the “Agriculture Development Strategy (ADS)”, which was officially launched on June 14, 2018. The aim of the ADS is to realize sustainable agriculture in all-inclusive concerned sectors to reach the realization of the Nation’s Food Security, which is an issue interrelated with food safety. This study is very useful and effective for our country, which focuses on food safety to work out issues. Therefore, I do hope assuredly to pay good outcomes from my research to NARO, KIRIN and DOA. I really appreciate being a JICA-KIRIN fellow.

Suveena Jantapirak, Thailand

Affiliation in Home Country	Department of Food Processing and Preservation, Institute of Food Research and Product Development (IFRPD), Kasetsart University Title (Position): Researcher
Research Themes	Application of Minimum heating process in Meat Products
Laboratory	Advance Food Technology Unit, Division of Food Processing and Distribution Research
Advisor	Dr. Kunihiko UEMURA

Comments

First of all, I would like to express my sincere thanks to JICA, Kirin Holdings Co., Ltd. and the Institute of Food Research and Product Development (IFRPD) for giving me the opportunity to work with National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO). I am deeply grateful to be a part of the JICA-KIRIN fellowship program. I have visited Japan three times before and this fourth visit represents a valuable career opportunity to be a part of the Food Research Institute, NARO (NFRI). Japan is a globally renowned hi-tech country as well as a leader in advanced food science. Moreover, NFRI has cutting-edge laboratory facilities. My research concerns the application of minimum heating technology in meat products. This will be a great opportunity for me to gain practical hands-on experience in modern aspects of high technology. Thailand is an agriculture country and this chance to study minimum heating technology to extend shelf life and retain high-quality nutrients in food products will be of benefit to the nation. I would also like to thank my advisor, Dr. Kunihiko Uemura, for his support and valuable research guidance. All members of the Advance Food Technology Unit were so kind and helpful, making my life in Japan a truly memorable experience. The cities are very clean and safe; the people are considerate. Japanese food is delicious and always beautifully presented. Research knowledge gained from this program will be useful for both NFRI and IFRPD and lead to cooperation and possible joint ventures between Japan and Thailand. On return to my home country, I will share the technology and experiences obtained through this program with students in the food industry and my research institute, the IFRPD.