University of the West Indies Cave Hill Campus Principal Invitation Program

(At dinner party hosted by APIC President Shigeie)
In the morning of the 13th, Professor Landis met with Professor Anne McDonald, professor of the Graduate School of Environmental Studies (GENV) and Director of the Island Sustainability Institute, Sophia University. They discussed the effects the COVID-19 pandemic had on students’ research activities, the challenges climate change poses (it just so happened that on the exact same day yellow sand from China was blowing over into Japan, and dust from Africa was flying over to Barbados). Professor Landis also received a brief outline of the work of the Island Sustainability Institute.

(Professor McDonald (left) and Principal Landis (right))

In the morning of the 14th, Professor Landis visited the Kitasato Institute Kitasato Memorial Museum where he received explanations of the various photo panels of viruses and bacteria, and the cause of stomach cancer, helicobacter pylori (he was also a cancer researcher prior to becoming Principal of Cave Hill Campus). He displayed great interest in the history of bacteria and virus prevention and treatment in Japan from the Edo Period until now, which was displayed in detail using visual aids. Professor Landis also learned about Shibasaburo Kitasato, the founder of the Institute, and took the English pamphlet about Kitasato back with him for a more careful read.
In the afternoon Professor Landis visited Keio University School of Medicine and talked with COVID-19 Protection Measures Leader and Senior Assistant Professor Ho Namkoong, Senior Assistant Professor Yoshifumi Uwamino, and Assistant Professor Masaru Takeshita, who each gave a presentation on COVID-19 prevention measures and an analysis of the results of said measures. Professor Landis was also involved in COVID-19 prevention measures in Barbados as a doctor, leading to an academically stimulating conversation between the four medical professionals. After the meeting, Professor Landis and his wife visited the Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, taking a stroll through the expansive gardens.
On Sunday morning the Landis’ visited the Kyoto Botanical Garden where they took their time appreciating the Japanese Garden among others, taking time to stop and admire the plants and flowers and snap a few photos. They hoped to use what they had seen as inspiration for their garden back home in Barbados.
In the afternoon they visited Sanzenin Temple and Jakkoin Convent located in Ohara, a rural area north of Kyoto. Located well out of the city center, Ohara lets visitors feel first-hand the quiet natural beauty of Kyoto’s temples and shrines. They tasted tsukemono, or Japanese pickles, and liked them well enough to take some home with them, along with a package of famous Kyoto tea.
After a walk through Heian Shrine in the morning of the 17th , Professor Landis visited Kyoto University’s Center for iPS Cell Research and Application. At the Center he met Junior Associate Professor and Head Researcher Kazuo Takayama. Takayama talked about his difficulties in extracting the iPS cells, and explained how iPS technology can be used to treat people with genetic diseases, such as diabetes and liver diseases. In addition, Professor Landis asked Professor Takayama about COVID-19-related measures, exchanging opinions on a wide range of topics during their meeting. Afterward, Professor Landis was shown around the facilities, viewing the incubator which produced the world’s first iPS cell, as well as visiting the office of Director Emeritus and Professor Shinya Yamanaka. He was very moved by what he saw, making the visit to Kyoto even more worthwhile.
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