In 2022, Dr. Heishima was selected from the Young Researchers Program “G-YLC” at the Advanced Research Institute of Gifu University as the first-ever recipient of the T-GEx award. He is engaged in research on developing new cancer therapies that target mitochondrial energy metabolism. After completing a four-year T-GEx Fellowship, he has been appointed as an Associate Professor in the Nutrition and Metabolic Signaling Unit at the Institute of Photonics & Human Health Frontier, Tokushima University, effective April 2026.
── It’s already been four years since 2022—time really flew by, didn’t it?
It truly feels like it was just the other day. Thank you very much for all your support. Starting in April, I will be leading my own laboratory as an independent Associate Professor in a newly established division at Tokushima University.
── Congratulations once again on your new appointment! If I remember correctly, you’re from Tokushima?
Thank you very much! Yes, I’m originally from Tokushima Prefecture. Although there is some distance between my family home and Tokushima University, I’m grateful to be able to conduct my research within the same prefecture. As this is a newly established division, I will be building my laboratory from the ground up. I look forward to creating a research environment tailored to my own interests, including recruiting specially appointed assistant professors and technicians.
── It feels like a special kind of homecoming, bringing your achievements back to your hometown. To go back a bit, could you tell us about when you applied for the T-GEx program?
To be honest, at the time I didn’t fully understand the overall scope of the T-GEx program. From the title, “a project to foster advanced knowledge ‘groundbreakers’ who solve global issues, I had a vague expectation, though I wasn’t entirely sure, that I might be involved in something meaningful. I was also drawn to the opportunity to work with researchers from a wide range of fields, and applied thinking it might be interesting, in a rather intuitive way.
── In the 2022 academic year, T-GEx had just started to get fully underway, didn’t it?
Yes, I remember feeling a very strong sense of the organizers’ enthusiasm and genuine commitment to supporting us, which left a deep impression on me. I was the only participant from Gifu University, but the program staff always made an effort to talk with me, which helped me feel at ease and settle in naturally. Without that support, I’m sure I would have felt quite lost.
── I’m glad to hear that. How was your experience participating in those programs?
All of the programs were highly educational, but what I felt most strongly was that my perspective broadened significantly. It wasn’t just about gaining new knowledge; what was particularly valuable was encountering perspectives I had never been aware of before. For example, the importance of “coordination and planning.” I also had the opportunity to serve as a member of the organizing committee for an international symposium hosted by T-GEx, which allowed me to develop the ability to take a broader, more holistic view when thinking through things. During the program period, there were also significant changes in my family circumstances.
── Yes, that’s right! After your child was born, did you notice any changes in your life or work?
Yes, it changed dramatically, to say the least. (laughs) Time constraints increased, and I began to plan my schedule around my child’s daycare pick-up time. I also relied on the on-campus daycare center at the university, but there were times when my research did not progress as I had hoped, which was a source of concern for me.
【Dr. Heishima playing with his child】 During his time in the T-GEx program, He welcomed two children into his family. There were even times when he conducted experiments while carrying his child on his back to soothe them, and he reportedly developed the “skill” of performing pipetting while gently rocking.
── Balancing parenting and work is indeed a major challenge.
That’s so true. Among them, one that left a strong impression on me was a role model seminar by Professor Sakakibara, who is a faculty member of Nagoya University’s Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences and a former Working Committee Member of T-GEx, in which he spoke about his experiences in parenting. Just knowing real examples existed made me feel relieved. I was also very grateful that recordings of other seminars were made available to watch afterward. Since I had to pick up my child from daycare at a fixed time, it was difficult to attend sessions during the day. Being able to watch the recordings at night, at my own pace, was truly helpful.
【Professor Sakakibara’s Role Model Seminar】The lecture was delivered from the perspective of someone who has experienced balancing childcare and research. (Dr. Heishima is wearing a white outfit in the front row on the right in the photo.)
── It sounds like you were able to make good use of the program despite the challenges of managing your time.
Yes, I do. I feel that the content of seminars truly sinks in only when you experience it as something personally relevant. That’s why having the archive has been so valuable—I can revisit it as many times as I need, and each time I discover something new. T-GEx really came to the rescue when I was in trouble (laughs).
── Did you ever feel any burdens while participating in T-GEx?
No, I never felt it to be a burden. On the contrary, I was often able to participate when I was feeling stuck in my research, so it served as a very good change of pace. The fact that arrangements were made to allow flexible online participation was also a major help.
── How do you think your experiences in T-GEx will be useful in your future career?
First, it is the “way of thinking” about managing a research laboratory. Through seminars, I learned about what it means to lead a research laboratory and what leadership entails, and I am confident that this framework will be of great use in the future. The other is the connections with people. With funding provided through T-GEx’s international research collaboration support, I traveled to Belgium and gave an impromptu presentation on site. Fortunately, this led to a collaborative research project, which continues to this day. It was an extremely valuable experience. I would like to express my sincere gratitude once again to the T-GEx program and its program staff.
【Street scenery in Belgium】Belgium, which Dr. Heishima visited on an impromptu trip funded by T-GEx. It led to the start of a collaborative research project, and Dr. Heishima is currently conducting joint research in spatial metabolomics. As a result, this also led to the adoption of a KAKENHI grant under the Fund for the Promotion of Joint International Research (Fostering Joint International Research).（Photo by Heishima）
── What are your hopes and dreams for the future?
I have several, but first, I want to get closer to the very “core” of my research. And another is to have a positive impact on those who aspire to pursue research in the future. I hope to be a researcher who can have a positive impact not only on my own path, but also on the lives of those around me.
── That feels very warm and kind. Finally, could you share a message for the T-GEx Fellows, Associates, and T-GEx Company Associates?
‘T-GEx came to the rescue when I was in trouble’—that really says it all (laughs). It is an excellent program that naturally helps strengthen one’s fundamental skills. Both the participating faculty members and the program staff are truly supportive, and I believe it is an environment where one can work with a strong sense of reassurance.
── Research, parenting, and new challenges—these four years of accumulated experiences have surely laid the foundation for Heishima’s career as a researcher. Relying on T-GEx in times of need, Heishima has continued moving forward while gaining new insights along the way. From a new laboratory taking shape in Tokushima, what discoveries will emerge—I'm truly looking forward to what lies ahead and wish him all the very best.
Interviewed by Mayuko Kumasaka (URA, Academic Research & Industry-Academia-Government Collaboration)
Written by Tomoe Tsuboi (URA, Academic Research & Industry-Academia-Government Collaboration)
〇Related Links
- Kazuki Heishima reseachmap： https://researchmap.jp/kheishima
- Institute of Photonics & Human Health Frontier, Tokushima University：https://www.iphf.tokushima-u.ac.jp/