Introduction
First, could you tell us about your position here? And why did you join the University of Tsukuba?
I am an assistant professor in the medical science division at the University of Tsukuba. My area of expertise is RNA processing and repairs, and my current my research focus is on understanding gene expression in protozoan parasites.
I believe Tsukuba is one of the best places in Japan to pursue scientific career because there are numerous national laboratories and high-tech industries in the surrounding area. There are many opportunities for research and educational interactions.
What are some things you keep in mind when teaching?
The goal of graduate education is to train students to think and learn independently. We want the students to come up with their own scientific questions. Be creative to design experiments to conduct research in the area you wish to pursue, and to evaluate and judge your own research as well as others. Productivity in the form of publication is also important for them to gain confidence in what they have accomplished.
What fields do the students go into?
Previous masters students in my lab have gone to professional schools to obtain doctoral degree in the fields of pharmacology and medicine. Ph.D. students have pursued post-doctoral training in infectious diseases.
What are your impressions of the G30 program?
It’s definitely a step on the right direction. An increased number of student and faculty from overseas will further strengthen our education program.
Currently, lecture courses are taught in English. In the near future, we expect seminars and colloquium courses will also be conducted in English. The G30 program will not only benefit international students, but will also foster Japanese students and faculty to gain communication skills. It may also change the perspective of how we teach and learn science, which will lead to a higher educational standard.
Full Name: Kiong Ho
Nationality and hometown: United States of America
Position/Year: Assistant Professor
Field of study/Major: Molecular Parasitology and RNA Biology / Molecular Biology and Biochemistry
Educational background: 1990 B.A. Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, USA
1997 Ph.D. Cornell University, Weill Graduate School of Medical Sciences, New York, NY, USA
1997 Postdoctoral Fellow, Sloan Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, New York, NY, USA
2000 Senior Research Scientist, Sloan Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, New York, NY, USA
2003 Assistant Professor, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY USA
2010 Assistant Professor, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, JAPAN