Dr. Ichikawa conducts research on intestinal bacteria while affiliated with the Faculty of Education. He is also actively engaged in industry collaboration and interdisciplinary collaborative research with researchers from diverse fields. After three years as a T-GEx Associate, he has been appointed as a professor at Kanazawa Institute of Technology’s College of Bioscience and Chemistry / Genome Biotechnology Laboratory and will take up his new post in April 2026.
── Congratulations on your new appointment as a professor! How are you feeling as you prepare for your move?
I was very grateful to receive my appointment as a professor at Kanazawa Institute of Technology, and to learn that my work has been evaluated so highly. I am also relieved that I will be able to carry on my current research as well as my various collaborative research projects. I am eager to keep pushing forward with my research.
── Those three years really flew by, didn’t they? Could you tell us about your reasons for applying to T-GEx and how you felt when you applied?
I learned about T-GEx’s call for applicants through an internal email. After giving it some thought, I realized that there was only so much I could do cooped up in my lab; I’m the type of person who likes to get out and take on new challenges whenever I get the chance. I thought it looked interesting and applied on a whim without thinking too much (laughs).
── On a whim (laughs). So you applied with a positive mindset, without feeling anxious?
Yes, that's right. I thought that if I could conduct research together with the outstanding faculty members at Nagoya University, my own research would surely improve as a result. I did have some concerns, but I figured that if it didn't work out, I could just apologize. I felt that I needed to get out there and seize opportunities.
── Is that why you attended many T-GEx’s online seminars and in-person events?
I had concerns about managing my lab, and I wanted to acquire the necessary knowledge as a PI, so I participated in many of them. I was really grateful that many seminars were offered online. There were also plenty of networking opportunities, such as Leadership Programs and Retreat Camp, which I really enjoyed.
── The instructor was very impressed by how diligently you worked on your “Action Plan for Career Advancement" during the Leadership Program.
It was a particularly memorable part of the program for me, so I was really hoping to talk about it. I’m not what you would call a “a brilliant and high-achieving researcher”; I tend to take everything at a steady pace, including my research. In fact, I had already been making rough notes for my research plans. I would write down ideas as they came to me and then develop them into something more concrete and feasible. Through the Leadership Program, I was able to develop these ideas in a more structured and detailed way, with my career development in mind. As a result, I feel that the precision of my research plans has improved.
【Dr. Ichikawa’s rough notes】In his notes, Dr. Ichikawa casually jots down his ideas and thoughts as they come to him. He then builds on these ideas to develop concrete and detailed research plans.
── Are there any other initiatives that left a strong impression on you?
I think the other participants would probably say the same thing, but it would have to be "the Seeds Joint Research Fund". It was definitely a high point of the program. The opportunity to try out collaborative research based on new ideas was especially appealing.
── You applied to the program every year, and each time with a different faculty member.
In 2023, I had one proposal accepted; in 2024, two; and then one more in 2025. Each time, I applied together with a different faculty member. It could be that my research topics were well-matched with the research of other faculty. The faculty at T-GEx are very open to interdisciplinary collaboration, which made it easy to move forward with collaborative research. We were able to make good progress, having detailed discussions that allowed us to clarify what each participant needed to do. I hope to continue these collaborative research projects going forward. I feel very fortunate to have such wonderful colleagues.
── Would you say that it is typical for you to work on multiple projects at the same time?
Yes. I’m not the type of researcher who secures large-scale grants, such as the JST FOREST Program or KAKENHI Category B, so I tend to have several projects on the go. It does get busier when I have more projects, but that’s how I approach my research—step by step.
── At the Retreat Camp, you gave a presentation on that topic.
That's right. I decided to speak openly, without holding anything back, hoping to show that other styles of research do exist.
A scene from the Retreat Camp held at Hotel Resol Gifu on September 4 to 5, 2023 (Dr. Ichikawa is pictured first on the left in the front row). The theme of the retreat was "Let's Build a T-GEx Researcher Network." Participants built connections with each other through a variety of activities. Dr. Ichikawa says that the late-night social gatherings after the program were also particularly memorable.
── Going forward, how do you hope to apply what you learned through T-GEx, as well as the various networks you have built?
In terms of research, I hope to continue the collaborative research we started under the Seeds Joint Research Fund and take it to the next level. Research is never done alone, so it is important to me that I continue to collaborate with a wide range of people. T-GEx provided me with many opportunities to take on new challenges and put them into practice. Through the program’s systematic training, I gained a lot of experience and a strong sense that I could do things on my own. That was a very important realization. As a result, I’ve become much less hesitant about trying new things.
Dr. Ichikawa’s Lab Logo
This logo represents “the way diverse microorganisms in the environment coexist and interact with one another.” It also seems to symbolize Dr. Ichikawa’s research style and way of life.
(Quoted from Dr. Ichikawa's website)
── Those are encouraging words. Finally, do you have a message for the T-GEx Fellows, Associates, and Corporate Associates?
I believe the appeal of T-GEx lies in the opportunity to speak directly with renowned faculty members and the opportunities that can lead to collaborative research. I truly think it is a wonderful initiative. There are so many types of seminars on offer; I would encourage people to attend casually without overthinking it. The burden isn’t very heavy, and you can participate in a relaxed atmosphere. Personally, I enjoyed participating very much.
── "When there's a chance, just go for it"— with this proactive attitude, Dr. Ichikawa has pursued numerous collaborative research projects and expanded his network. The tireless effort and positive attitude behind his gentle smile left an impression on us. We look forward to seeing how his research continues to expand in Kanazawa, and wish him every success in the future.
Interview: Mayuko Kumasaka (URA, Academic Research & Industry-Academia-Government Collaboration)
Text: Tomoe Tsuboi (URA, Academic Research & Industry-Academia-Government Collaboration)
〇関連リンク
- Shunsuke Ichikawa on reseachmap： https://researchmap.jp/shunsuke.ichikawa/
- Shunsuke Ichikawa's Website：https://paperreviewsforfiveminutes.com/shunsukeichikawa/