GUC lab summer 2025

This summer has been exceptionally hot, with many areas experiencing record-breaking heatwaves. While the university was free from lectures, the season was a productive mix of restful events, administrative procedures, and significant research advancements.

For students aiming to graduate in September, the summer break is a crucial period for defending their research. We are proud to celebrate Dea, who not only presented her exceptional work but also earned the Best Presentation Award at the recent GEDES conference. She will receive her Master’s degree on September 22, 2025, and will continue with us as a doctoral student.

Summer is also busy with research-related events. Bank, Hiroki, and Kayo, accompanied by Alvin, traveled to Tohoku University to present their research on human mobility and weather. Their meeting with collaborators Dr. Sunkyung Choi (Gunma University), Prof. Makoto Okumura (IRIDES, Tohoku University), and Prof. Shinya Hanaoka (Tokyo Institute of Technology) provided valuable insights for their future work. While some students took well-deserved time off to visit home, others pushed forward on their research, preparing for conferences and revising papers.

During September, the lab was also engaged in discussions and visits. We were delighted to welcome back Aki, a former YSEP exchange student, who visited while traveling in Japan after earning his civil engineering degree in the University of the Philippines. It is always heartwarming to reconnect with our alumni.

Additionally, we held several key research meetings, including:

• Atmospheric chemistry discussions with Dr. Prabir Patra (JAMSTEC), Dr. Paul Griffith (Bristol University), and Prof. Yasuko Kasai and her student.
• A visit from Dr. Damrongsak Runchumphu and his graduate students from Chiang Mai University.
• A joint research seminar with the Kanda and Kusaka (University of Tsukuba) laboratories.
• An intensive “hackathon” with partners from JAMSTEC, Tokyo University of Science, Shibaura Institute of Technology, and NIES.

Special recognition goes to Pang Bo, who started as a doctoral student in April, for his efforts in organizing the joint seminar and his active participation in the hackathon. Well done also to the students who continued their work during summer. It’s always a fun time chatting during the lunch/coffee break.

Looking back while writing this update on a train to Takamatsu for the Heat Island conference with Hiroki, Jin, Pang Bo, Dea, Chen, Rosey, and Sam, it’s clear that it has been a remarkably productive summer.