Neuro Global International Joint Graduate Program,
Tohoku University

Graduate School of Medicine
Jasper Germeraad

Hi everyone! My name is Jasper Germeraad, and I was a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Developmental Neuroscience at Tohoku University, supervised by Professor Noriko Osumi. My journey through the Neuro Global Program (NGP) has been transformative. It provided me with advanced training, international exposure, and a collaborative network that continues to enrich both my research and personal growth.

I first came to Japan through a double degree master's program between Tohoku University and Maastricht University in 2019. The friendships I formed and the interdisciplinary projects I encountered inspired me to remain in Japan and pursue a Ph.D. through the Neuro Global Program. With my advisor's support, I was accepted as a pre-program student in early 2020, laying the groundwork for the rigorous and enriching journey that followed.

Officially joining NGP, I enrolled in various offered courses. These courses challenged me with intensive seminars, daily assignments, and culminating presentations and reports. Under the guidance of dedicated instructors and alongside international peers, I honed my abilities in academic writing and public speaking, gaining confidence in communicating complex scientific ideas. I further developed these skills by having the pleasure to present my research in various international and domestic conferences.

In the summer of 2023, I had the honour of presenting at the Tohoku–KU Leuven Symposium. Leading experts shared their latest findings, from dynamic neural representations of actions in frontal cortices and online decoding for cursor and avatar control, to spinal circuit plasticity, brain–gut interactions, and the molecular basis of social competence in medaka fish. I was privileged to deliver my talk nestled between discussions of transgenerational epigenetics and human brain development. This symposium exemplified the collaborative spirit of NGP and further motivated me to pursue interdisciplinary research. I also visited Munich to meet collaborators at the Helmholtz Zentrum. Following fruitful discussions, we immersed myself in Bavarian culture, at a traditional beer hall. This provided me with invaluable insights into German academic life and forged friendships that transcended institutional boundaries.

Reflecting on my NGP experience, I see how the integration of rigorous coursework, immersive overseas visits, and global conference participation has broadened my scientific perspective. Frequent interactions with international scholars taught me the value of cross-disciplinary thinking and collaborative problem solving I remain deeply grateful to NGP for providing a platform that bridges cultures and disciplines. I am also indebted to Professor Osumi, my overseas mentors, and the many peers who have offered their expertise and companionship.