Discovering Myself Through Neural Circuits: My Experience at the RIKEN CBS Summer Program
Shirin Sadighparvar
PhD candidate, McGill University
Participated in the 2025 IBRO-RIKEN CBS Summer Program
Attending the RIKEN CBS Summer Program 2025 was one of the most inspiring academic experiences of my PhD journey so far. It wasn’t just a technical course or a lecture series, it was a vibrant, immersive community where cutting-edge neuroscience met cultural discovery and deep personal connection.
From the very first day, the warmth and care of the organizing committee stood out. Dr. Fujisawa and the program organizers created an environment that felt both intellectually rigorous and emotionally supportive, a balance that’s rare and deeply appreciated. Every detail, from the thoughtfully structured schedule to the personal conversations during coffee breaks, reflected how much effort they put into making us feel welcome and valued.
Two lectures in particular left a lasting impression on me. Dr. Yumiko Yoshimura’s presentation on experience-dependent plasticity in the visual cortex was both technically rich and beautifully delivered. Her work reminded me of how much remains to be discovered in even the most well-studied regions of the brain. And Dr. Linlin Fan’s talk on all-optical physiology was simply electrifying. The tools she is developing, especially her cellular-resolution techniques for monitoring and manipulating circuits in behaving animals, sparked so many ideas that I could hardly wait to get back to my own lab.
Equally transformative was visiting several research labs during the program. I had the opportunity to see high-end technologies like Neuropixel and high-density neural recording platforms in action. Witnessing these setups firsthand and speaking with the researchers who use them every day was a rare chance to bridge theory and practice. These lab visits didn’t just expand my technical vocabulary, they made future collaborations and methods feel tangible and possible.
Beyond the science, though, what truly defined this experience was the people. Our cohort of fellows quickly became more than just colleagues, we became friends. After long and rewarding days of lectures and lab visits, we would set off together to explore Tokyo. Whether it was squeezing into sushi bars tucked away in quiet alleyways, wandering through the glowing streets of Shibuya, or sharing stories over late-night ramen, those moments gave life to the program in ways no schedule could plan. I’ll never forget the laughter, the endless curiosity, and the warmth of the group.
Even the small moments, the morning walks to campus, the coffee breaks with Japanese sweets and beautifully wrapped candies or just sitting quietly in the lounge processing everything we’d learned, felt special. There was a quiet joy in being surrounded by people who love asking questions as much as you do.
RIKEN CBS reminded me why I fell in love with neuroscience in the first place. It also reminded me that science is never just about data or experiments, it’s about people, connection, and ideas shared across continents.
To future participants: if you get the chance to join this program, take it. Come with questions, leave with inspiration, and maybe even a suitcase full of mochi.
