Cancer and immunology international symposium held by female researchers

The Laboratory of Vascular Biology and Molecular Pathology, Graduate School of Dental Medicine, Hokkaido University, held its first online international symposium, “Understanding of Novel Biological Phenomena in Cancer and Immunology Research,” on January 27th, 2022. Supported by the Promotion office of Research environment for Diversity (Ree-D) of Hokkaido University and the Society of Japanese Women Scientists (SJWS), this event was organized by female researchers and featured all-female speakers.

The panelists and moderators of “Understanding of Novel Biological Phenomena in Cancer and Immunology Research” International Symposium (Photo provided by Graduate School of Dental Medicine)

Four female researchers from different research fields in cancer and immunology studies were invited to share their latest research results and open discussion sessions with participants. “Through this symposium, we would like to introduce the research conducted by young and mid-career female researchers. Also, we hoped that the active discussions could potentially result in new collaborations,” said Assistant Professor Nako Maishi from the organizing Laboratory. 

Professor Kyoko Hida, the head of the organizing Laboratory, moderated the first half of the symposium. Maishi launched the panel with her presentation, “The Role of tumor endothelial cells in tumor progression.” Following, Hiroko Nagao-Kitamoto (University of Michigan) gave a seminar on “IL-22-mediated host glycosylation prevents C. difficile infection via modulating the luminal metabolism of the gut microbiota.”

The symposium’s latter half was moderated by Professor Mikako Ogawa (Laboratory for Bioanalysis and Molecular Imaging, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University). Masumi Tsuda (Department of Cancer Pathology, Faculty of Medicine / WPI-ICReDD, Hokkaido University) presented “Research development and medical application of cancer stem cells using high functioning hydrogel.” Noriko Sato (Molecular Imaging Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health) gave the final talk on “Rapid activation of intra tumoral immune microenvironment and IFN γ mediated tumor vessel regression.”

“This symposium is a great opportunity for networking, especially for flourishing female scientists. But we are also glad to see male participants in this symposium, it is a good balance of participants,” said Professor Hida, the head of the organizing laboratory. “I express my gratitude to everyone who is involved.”

Assistant Professor Nako Maishi (left) and Professor Kyoko Hida (right)

The official website of laboratory of Vascular Biology and Molecular Pathology, Graduate School of Dental Medicine:

https://www.den.hokudai.ac.jp/vascular-biol-pathol/en/

Written by Aprilia Agatha Gunawan