As we enter the 2023 academic year, CiRA recently celebrated its 14th anniversary. On April 5, to comply with COVID-19 safety measures, some members gathered in the auditorium while others participated online as the annual kick-off meeting was held in a hybrid format.

Per tradition, CiRA Director Prof. Jun Takahashi shared his thoughts with its members. In his address, Takahashi conveyed his message to CiRA members, highlighting CiRA's mission of "Medical application of iPS cells and iPS cell technology" and its four goals for 2030. He also encouraged everyone to work together and achieve those objectives through "respect and gratitude," "independence and autonomy," and "challenge and leap forward," in their everyday research activities.

Jun Takahashi

Furthermore, newly promoted faculty members, Junior Associate Prof. Shinichi Mae, Assistant Prof. Bo Wang, and Assistant Prof. Emi Yamasaki, introduced themselves and their research interests. They expressed their commitment to working with other CiRA members as educators and making efforts toward the development of the research institute. Lastly, Kenya Enomoto was introduced as the new head of administration at CiRA, starting on April 1.

Shinichi Mae

Bo Wang

Emi Yamasaki

Kenya Enomoto