WISE-SSS also benefits science students
Stimulating discussions at the SSS Matching Workshop motivated me to register for WISE-SSS
At the Somiya Laboratory, we develop the elemental technology for KAGRA, a gravitational wave telescope. I belong to a team that evaluates the characteristics of the sapphire mirror used in KAGRA. In this team, I have developed a method to measure double refraction. In parallel to this research, we started a new project from this May, which is the measurement of scattering light. Currently, I am creating an experimental method by trial and error.
I got to know about WISE-SSS when I was in the second year of my master’s degree program. At first, I felt unsure whether I should register for the program, but I began to take it positively after having stimulating discussions with people from various companies in the SSS Matching Workshop. Still, it seemed that they were a little puzzled with my presentation on topics such as the gravitational wave and the performance of a mirror. Now, after thinking it over, I should have set my topics that match better with companies, such as evaluating the characteristics of using a laser.
Substantial financial support and employment opportunities
Currently, there are two students who are enrolled at WISE-SSS from the School of Science, including myself. Honestly speaking, I feel that there is more demand for companies to do collaborative research that is closer to the engineering field. It would be easier for students in the School of Science to enroll at WISE-SSS if there are more participation from companies with strong relationships with the School of Science.
The program’s full-scale financial support was very attractive to me because I had financial insecurity for proceeding to a doctoral degree program. Moreover, I heard from my seniors, who had already obtained their tenure employment, that completing an extra program would be an advantage in job hunting. Overall, I believe WISE-SSS has many advantages, not only in terms of the research itself, but also from the point of view of financial security and job hunting.
Profile
Homare Abe
Born in Yamanashi Prefecture in 1996. He obtained his bachelor’s degree in physics from the School of Science, Tokyo Institute of Technology in 2020. He completed his master’s degree program in physics from the School of Science in 2022. Currently, he is in the first year of his doctoral degree program as a physics major at the School of Science.
