Asako Toyama
Research field:Experimental psychology , Computational Behavioral Science
Asako Toyama
Research field:Experimental psychology , Computational Behavioral Science
●What are your current research interests?
Decision-making, reinforcement learning models, emotion, physiological responses, computational psychiatry
●What do you enjoy most about research?
I enjoy being able to approach topics of interest in my own way while learning along the way. I also find it exciting to hear about other researchers’ work.
● What does research mean to you?(In a nutshell)
Trial and error driven by curiosity
●What inspired you to become a researcher?
I initially became interested in memory, which led me to study psychology. Over time, my research interests expanded to various other topics.
●What are your future goals as a researcher?
I aspire to be a researcher who integrates multiple perspectives—such as cognitive science, computational modeling, and psychology—to deepen our understanding of human behavior and the mind.
Kareman Yassin
Research field:Applied Microeconomics and Enviromental Economics
Kareman Yassin
Research field:Applied Microeconomics and Enviromental Economics
●What are your current research interests?
My current research closely aligns with global efforts for net-zero carbon emissions by 2050
●What do you enjoy most about research?
I enjoy delving deeply into topics that sparks my curiosity with the goal of making contributions that could benefit others in the future.
●What does research mean to you?(In a nutshell)
Developing a deep and comprehensive understanding of a single topic.
●What inspired you to become a researcher?
My grandfather, a professor of physiology, had a deep love for science and was known for his strong work ethic and unwavering commitment to both his research and his students.
●What are your future goals as a researcher?
To establish collaborations with both the public and private sectors to develop innovative, feasible, and evidence-based policies that bring us closer to achieving the net-zero carbon emission target.
Huynh Nguyen Khoi
Research field:International Relations, Quantitative Methodology
Huynh Nguyen Khoi
Research field:International Relations, Quantitative Methodology
●What are your current research interests?
My main interests are studying the dynamics between globalization and populism. I am also working on applications of machine learning and causal inference methods in social sciences.
●What do you enjoy most about research?
Finishing a project and sharing my ideas with others
● What does research mean to you?(In a nutshell)
Understand the world more little by little
●What inspired you to become a researcher?
I have always been curious about studying politics, but it was my professors and mentors that really inspired me to pursue research and academia.
●What are your future goals as a researcher?
I hope to expand my skillset and collaborate with many other researchers.
Mitsuhiko Ishikawa
Research field:Social Neuroscience, Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience
Mitsuhiko Ishikawa
Research field:Social Neuroscience, Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience
●What are your current research interests?
How do humans execute appropriate social behaviours in response to various contexts?
How do humans acquire sociality throughout development?
●What do you enjoy most about research?
Eureka moment—such as when a groundbreaking experimental design, task, or theory emerges after long hours of contemplation.
● What does research mean to you?(In a nutshell)
Everyday life
●What inspired you to become a researcher?
My grandfather was a university professor, so I was familiar with academia from a young age.
●What are your future goals as a researcher?
Research has no final destination, so I aspire to be a researcher who continues exploring until the very end of my life.
Kim Honjik
Research field:Built environment and human behavior
Kim Honjik
Research field:Built environment and human behavior
●What are your current research interests?
Social sustainability, including health promotion, aging in place, well-being, and social participation
●What do you enjoy most about research?
When I was able to add a brick to the foundation of studies
● What does research mean to you?(In a nutshell)
Adventure for a better future/life
●What inspired you to become a researcher?
I am interested in the topic of “where we prefer to live.” As East Asian countries are facing rapid population aging, I have focused my research on the types of neighborhoods that older adults are most satisfied with.
●What are your future goals as a researcher?
I hope my research will help create living environments where people of all ages can feel happy.

