We are Just One CLICKs Away

​MEcoH participated in the second CLICKs workshop (CMES Workshop for Launching Interdisciplinary Communication and Knowledge Sharing) on May 23, 2025. This is an initiative to strengthen the internal network of CMES and provide a platform for young researchers to engage in open dialogue and explore potential collaborations. Unlike conventional academic conferences, CLICKs adopted a student-led poster presentation format that allows everyone to present. The workshop fosters an open environment for ideas to exchange across disciplinary boundaries, it even encourage early-stage dialogue and creative exploration! Most MEcoH students took this opportunity to get to know our partner divisions and disciplines. 

Like the first CLICKs workshop, Assoc. Prof. Yasutsugu also chaired this year's workshop.

Phd Student, Jomel Limbago here presenting his work in the Flash talk

​In this year's CLICKs, some of us had participated in the "Flash Talk" session, where each presenter gave a one-minute pitch about their research. 

"At the 2nd CLICKS, I was given the opportunity to present my research proposal in a one-minute fast talk, along with my preliminary results on host DNA degradation in Aedes aegypti using 16S and 12S rRNA markers in a poster presentation session. It was a great avenue to share my work with fellow researchers and sensei at the center. I gained valuable insights from their feedback and had the chance to view their posters as well. This experience also inspired me to explore potential collaborations with other divisions to foster interdisciplinary approaches in addressing our research questions."​

Von ​

Since CMES is a diverse community of graduate students and postdoctoral researchers. The event venue buzzed with conversations in English, Japanese, and various other languages.

"CLICKs provided a great opportunity to share my opinion with participants from various backgrounds. I think that it will be a better experience if the venue were not separated because most people tended to gather at one of the location over the other. Else, it was great!"

 Haruma

​"I had the opportunity to present my study on dengue virus evolution at CLICKs. At the same time, I learned about what other CMES departments were studying. I think it's a good avenue to not only share our research but also think outside of the box - how we can apply other methods/concepts to our own studies."

Jerica

Rina SUMIOKADA (left)

Von DELA TORRE (Right)

Yuki SATO

Haruma SANUKI

Jerica REYES

​Also, we were part of the 58 participants that presented posters. Notably, some of MEcoH's Japanese students took the opportunity to present and discuss their research in English, contributing to a naturally inclusive space for cross-cultural and interdisciplinary learning.​​

​"At CLICKs, someone commented and advised on my study of Horizontal Gene Transfer. Although it was hard for me to prepare and explain my research poster in English but I gained good experience.  I was also able to broaden my perspective by listening to research in other fields. If I have another opportunity next time, I would like to try to make my presentation in English."

 Rina

"My research is to use metabarcoding of environmental DNA to elucidate the interactions between populations at multitrophic level. CLICKs has been a good inspiration for me to learn about research in different fields. Thank you for the the good experience."

Yuki

After the main event had concluded, everyone shared a meal together.

​CLICKs aims to continue as a regularly held event. Through CLICKs, we sincerely hope that more young researchers will continue to build meaningful connections, inspire one another, and find encouragement to take the next step toward a more fulfilling and rewarding research journey. 

See you at the next CLICKs workshop!