＜概要／目的＞
The main objective of the TMU-UOS (Tokyo Metropolitan University-University of Seoul) exchange is to provide academic exchange between the two universities. This year the event was on 13 to 18 November 2023. The goals of this activity are: (1) to strengthen the academic relationship between UOS and TMU, (2) give the UOS an actual experience of the experiments being conducted in each laboratory at TMU. (3) provide the opportunity on presentation of researchers and open discussions and future collaboration.
This year, six students from UOS were assigned to 5 laboratories available in TMU. Ms. Eunyeoung Yang was selected our Systematics Botany laboratory as her interest on natural and field surveys.
＜方法／企画としての特徴＞
The organizers for the laboratory assignment in Systematics Botany Laboratory were Phongphayboun Phonepaseuth and Alyssa Marie Lola under supervise of Professors in the Lab. Before we start on the activities, we provided materials first to our visitor which are comprised of handouts related to Dr. Tomitaro Makino and Makino Herbarium, a summary of our agenda, and a TMU folder. For the handouts, we seek for help from our supervisors so that we can provide accurate information. Moreover, we printed out a questionnaire/survey form that the participant must fill out after the 2-day laboratory experience. We also planned to give the UOS student a souvenir from one of the activity that she will do during her visit.
For two-days activities, we divided as following: (1) Makino Herbarium (MAK) tour, (2) Field survey for specimens collection and preservation techniques, (3) Molecular laboratory tour, and (4) current research presentations from the students of the Systematics Botany Laboratory and Systematics Zoology Laboratory
＜活動内容／具体的成果＞
For the 2-day event we did the following activities (In some of these, we collaborated with the organizers from the Systematics Zoology Laboratory):
DAY 1 (14 November 2023)
1. Makino Herbarium (MAK) tour
Visitor was given the materials related to life and research of Dr. Tomitaro Makino. We have the opportunity to seen some of the oldest and best specimens collected by Dr. Tomitaro and preserved in our herbarium by assist of senior herbarium staff, Nakamura-san.
Lola San and Eunyeoung San visited and reading on life and research of Dr. Tomitaro Makino history
2. Specimens collection and Preservation
A mini field survey in the TMU forest was conducted to provide a full experience on how taxonomists work. In this activity, we demonstrated to our visitor how to collect plant samples for morphological and molecular analyses, plant photography (how and what part of the specimens should be photographed), field notes and preserving plant samples. During our field work, we collected several angiosperms and ferns. Ms. Eunyeoung were able to try collecting the plants samples, pressing these samples in newspapers and wooden press, and capture good photos of our collections.
After lunch, we provided an overall Makino Herbarium tour to both the students (Ms. Eunyeoung Yang and Mr. Yunho Choi) assigned in the Systematics Botany Laboratory and Systematics Zoology Laboratory respectively. We shared the students about the do's and dont's when visiting the herbarium and handling the specimens. The UOS students were amazed on how our herbarium preserved and keep safe of our collections. They took several photos and videos on how we view our collections and the specimens that they found unique.
Ms. Eunyeoung Yang and Mr. Yunho Choi photo-opportunity with the standee of Dr. Makino and his scan collection.
Below is a photo with Nakamura-san, showing the UOS students the oldest collections in MAK.
DAY 2 (15 November 2023)
1. Molecular laboratory tour
We planned to show them the available equipment in our lab that we used for molecular analysis including our PCR machine, sequencer, and etc., as well as the experiments that we are currently conducting. However, during that time, our lab was clean-up activity so we were not able to do the experiment.
2. Current Research Presentations
The Systematics Botany Laboratory and Systematics Zoology Laboratory joint presentation on 2nd day, our recent research from each person was presented with an open and friendly discussion. Since our visitors original field of interest is not on Systematics, we tried our best to converse with them in simple terms. I have shared the experiences on field surveys in Laos in various regions and beautiful native angiosperms. Ms. Lola shared her presentation about the coffee family (Rubiaceae) which includes their evolution and heavy metals assessment.
Photo during the presentation and discussions, Mr. Bounsanong, (left) and Ms. Lola (right).
＜感想／課題など（企画力／評価力／自主性等の向上を含む）＞
In conclusion, the activities of laboratory assignment for the Systematics Botany group was overall successful. The students representative from UOS were able to experience and learn on taxonomy that was conducted in the field. Moreover, the students reflected their learnings by giving substantial comments, suggestions, and questions related to Makino Herbarium and our current works. Ms. Eunyeoung provided a perfect score and good feedback on her survey form. The organizers gave a souvenir to Ms. Eunyeoung during the last day of the exchange program, which is a photo of the specimen that she collected during her field survey. She was happy to receive the gift from us. This event give a good opportunity to enhance a friendly relationship between TMU and UOS students.
Field specimens’ collection and photograph by visitor (above), and Makino herbarium visit (below).
