Could you share details about your career so far and the responsibilities you've handled in your roles?

After obtaining my medical technologist license, I started my career in the laboratory department of a hospital in Sendai, Miyagi. Since 1992, I have been working in the Department of Pathology at BRI, specializing in the preparation of pathology specimens.

Please tell us what led you to work as a technical staff and how you came to join BRI.

When I moved to Niigata City, I looked for a job where I could use my medical technologist qualifications and applied for a position in BRI's Dept of Pathology.

What aspects of its research environment do you find most attractive?

BRI maintains one of the largest brain banks in Japan, offering valuable resources for numerous joint research projects.

What aspects of your work do you find both fascinating and challenging? What obstacles do you encounter?

I find it rewarding when our diagnostic work contributes to determining a patient's treatment plan or when our efforts in handling technically challenging staining or specimen preparation support doctors in their research.

The most difficult aspect is that pathology specimens are identified by number, so any mistake could result in a life-threatening situation. For this reason, we thoroughly check the specimens and exercise the utmost care.

Additionally, pathology involves working with various chemicals, including formalin, and regulations to prevent exposure to these substances are becoming increasingly stringent. Keeping up with these evolving standards is also a constant challenge.

Do you have a personal motto or guiding principle that you follow in your work?

I aim to prepare accurate and reliable pathology specimens to assist doctors in making prompt and precise diagnoses. I always keep in mind the patients and their families awaiting these diagnoses.

How do you usually spend your time after research and on your days off? Please share how you refresh and recharge.

During my 30 years of work, there was a time when I was busy raising my children. Now that they are independent, I take time to unwind from the pressures of daily life by relaxing and recharging through my hobby of hula dancing.

What are your goals for the future?

As a technical staff member in the Dept of Pathology, I am dedicated to expanding my expertise and honing my skills further. Throughout my many years here, I have been fortunate to learn from professors, doctors, and colleagues. I am now eager to pass on the knowledge and skills I have gained to future generations, ensuring the continued advancement of our field.

What message would you share with those considering a career at BRI and aspiring to work as technical staff?

I am deeply grateful to everyone who has supported me throughout my years here, including the professors and researchers who have generously guided and encouraged me in the lab. As a technical staff, I have had the opportunity to take on diverse responsibilities beyond laboratory work--opportunities I never experienced during my time as a medical technologist in a hospital. These experiences have become a valuable and meaningful part of my life.