I was in charge of the fifth installment of the "Ph. Dreams" series of reports by graduate students Hokkaido University Tomoki Tadokoro, an 8th class student who was hired by Ambitious Leader's Program Fostering Future Leaders to Open New Frontiers in Materials Science (ALP) in 2021 (Hokkaido University Graduate School Chemical Sciences and Engineering It is. ALP is an educational program that fosters human resources who study cross-disciplinary studies centered on material science, cultivate high abilities as members of society, and who will play an active role internationally in a wide range of fields such as not only academic and research institutions but also private companies after obtaining a degree. Although the period as a subsidy project of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology ended in March 2020, it continues to be active as a project of Hokkaido University.
Toward the realization of new dream functional molecules
My major is organic chemistry, and I am researching functional molecules whose properties change when stimulated by light, heat, or electricity. Since this property is often determined by the three-dimensional structure of the molecule, the key is how to control the structure of the molecule. In other words, elucidation of the detailed structural change mechanism is essential for the development of molecules with desired functions. Therefore, I am trying to elucidate the detailed mechanism by not only synthesizing molecules by experiments and tracking structural changes by various measurements, but also by conducting simulations using quantum chemical calculations and approaching them from both experimental and theoretical perspectives. . Based on the mechanism that has been elucidated so far, we are developing research toward the realization of new dream functional molecules. The day may soon come when substances that appear in science fiction novels will become non-fiction.
Communication skills for innovative research development
With the development of science and technology, mankind is facing complex social problems that cannot be easily solved. Innovative research development that overcomes these challenges requires a cross-disciplinary collaborative system that goes beyond just one research field. Therefore, I would like to participate in international research projects and contribute to solving social problems. When building a smooth cooperative system, a high level of communication skills backed by a wide range of academic and cultural knowledge is required. I would like to hone my dialogue skills through visits to labs in different fields at ALP, overseas internships, and education and research unit activities.
Impression created by "a single effort"
My hobby is cooking, regardless of genre, from Japanese food to French and sweets. The seasoning and cooking process of food reflects culture such as history and climate. In particular, European cuisine is strongly influenced by the French Revolution, the Age of Discovery, and the livestock industry. The process of unraveling the history and culture of the country through cooking is very interesting. Also, each cooking step has a great impact on the taste and appearance. Even simple chicken stewed in tomatoes can be completely different depending on whether the tomato skin is peeled or the chicken is browned. These "hands-on" dishes are beautiful to look at, and the taste is also very delicious.
I make various dishes regardless of genre. All the dishes in the photo above are made by myself. I am very happy to hear the word "delicious" when I serve my friends and family. For things that move people's hearts, the work of "going into the details" is essential. I want to cherish this "one-time effort" in all situations, including research activities.