BRI online lectures held as part of Niigata Junior Doctor Training School

Niigata University is offering pupils from the 5th grade of elementary school to junior high in and around Niigata, "the Junior Doctor Training School", a STEM education program selected by Japan Science and Technology Agency. NU Faculty of Science takes the lead in coordinating the program which aims at nurturing the budding scientists who have strong interests. The program is designed to help develop global approach to issues such as biological diversity, and to appreciate a nature-human relationship to live in good harmony with nature. Niigata University, as a pillar of the program, works with its allied universities (Fukushima University, Niigata University of Pharmacy and Applied Life Sciences, and Niigata Institute of Technology), a museum, a botanical garden and a private company in Niigata to provide a region-specific education program.

BRI gave online lectures on October 18, 2020 as part of the master's program. 37 participants gave their ears to a lecture "Your brain is tricked" by Prof Hiroyuki Nawa (Dept of Molecular Neurobiology), followed by a lecture by Prof Toshikuni Sasaoka (Dept of Comparative & Experimental Medicine), "Dopamine: the brain's reward chemical".

We hope that the lectures inspired participants' interests in science of brain and mind as well as raised their awareness of the role of science and technology in society.