Imagine a world where science doesn't just react to disasters and diseases—it proactively shields humanity from them, fostering a healthier, more united planet. That's the bold vision driving cutting-edge research today, and it's sparking debates about how far human ingenuity can go. But here's where it gets intriguing: What if the key to resilience lies not just in technology, but in bridging divides between scientists and societies? Join us as we explore how one trailblazing professor is leading the charge to build a future where pandemics and catastrophes become manageable challenges rather than insurmountable threats.
The Institute of Science Tokyo, affectionately known as Science Tokyo, kicked off its groundbreaking Visionary Initiatives (VIs) in the 2025 academic year. These aren't isolated projects—they're a dynamic, cross-disciplinary framework designed to spark innovation and co-create lasting value with communities worldwide. By pushing the boundaries of scientific discovery, the VIs aim to enhance human well-being on a global scale. Right now, six distinct VIs are shaping the future, each drawing from three core pillars: 'Better Life' for individual health and vitality, 'Better Society' for stronger communities, and 'Better Planet' for environmental sustainability. Together, they form a blueprint for transformative change.
At the forefront of this effort is Professor Tomoko Ishino from the Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences. She helm's the VI focused on Resilience Tech-Society, which strives to forge a society equipped to withstand disasters and pandemics. In her insightful discussion, Ishino shares her journey and strategies for cultivating resilience amid recurring crises like the COVID-19 pandemic and the persistent scourge of malaria. Her story illuminates the delicate balance between rigorous science and heartfelt empathy, reminding us that breakthroughs often stem from personal passions.
Ishino's path began at the crossroads of scientific inquiry and deep compassion. 'Why did you select malaria, a tropical disease, as your research focus among so many infectious threats?' we asked her. During her undergraduate years in pharmaceutical sciences, Ishino delved into the fundamentals of how the body heals and fights off illnesses. Parallel to her academic work, she joined study expeditions across various Asian nations, where she witnessed firsthand the harsh realities of poverty. Yet, what struck her most were the unyielding smiles of the local children, igniting a profound drive to make a positive impact in the region. These formative experiences led her to consider roles in international aid, perhaps with an NGO or Japan's International Cooperation Agency (JICA). But her fascination with basic research proved equally compelling. Studying tropical diseases offered a perfect synergy, allowing her to blend humanitarian goals with scientific exploration.
To that end, while pursuing her doctorate, Ishino spent three months in a specialized seminar on tropical diseases. She yearned to aid Asian communities directly, yet she was equally drawn to unraveling life's mysteries through evidence-based methods. With her emphasis on verifiable science, she gravitated toward applying reverse genetics to malaria parasites just as she completed her Ph.D. For those new to the concept, reverse genetics flips the script on traditional genetics: instead of observing traits to hunt for genes, it starts with known genes to uncover their roles and functions. This method unlocks the intricate workings of life, revealing how parasites like those causing malaria operate at a cellular level. And this is the part most people miss—how a single technique can bridge the gap between abstract science and real-world healing.
Fresh out of her doctorate, Ishino stumbled upon Japan's sole lab at the time employing reverse genetics for malaria studies. Though switching fields post-Ph.D. was rare, she seized the opportunity as a postdoctoral fellow before advancing to the Pasteur Institute in France. Today, her dedication to malaria endures. Malaria strikes when parasites hitch a ride into the human body via mosquito bites, infiltrating the skin and coursing through the bloodstream to the liver, where they target hepatocytes—our liver cells. Ishino's research zeroes in on the molecules enabling these invasions and their mechanisms, offering a glimpse into life's hidden wonders as she observes these tiny 10-micrometer organisms under the microscope. Yet, beneath the excitement lies a grim truth: malaria claims around 600,000 lives annually. Her lab, including students and staff, tackles this global emergency head-on, driven by urgency and hope.
Science Tokyo has long partnered with the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research in Ghana for joint ventures on emerging and re-emerging infections. For malaria, their initiatives pinpoint factors in both human hosts and parasites that fuel the disease. By studying strains from malaria-prone areas, they decode infection pathways unique to those regions, paving the way for targeted interventions.
As program director (PD) of the VI: Resilience Tech-Society, Ishino outlines ambitious objectives. The initiative crafts systems to maintain vital services—like environmental cleanup, lifeline restoration, and healthcare delivery—during inevitable natural disasters or pandemics. Ishino's niche focuses on infectious diseases, divided into emerging ones like COVID-19, which erupt suddenly, and re-emerging ones like malaria, which have plagued humanity for millennia. These threats complicate daily life and defy solo efforts in our interconnected world of easy travel and trade. Leveraging the research outpost at the Noguchi Memorial Institute and established ties, they aim to map infectious disease landscapes, nurture talent in Ghana, and disseminate the VI's insights globally.
But here's where it gets controversial: In an era of shrinking aid budgets from major donors, funding for disaster response and disease control has plummeted, especially in Africa. This has led to dire shortages, such as inadequate HIV medications. Does this mean science should fill the void left by politics, or is it a call for more equitable global funding? Ishino insists the role of scientists remains unchanged—science thrives on human collaboration. Strengthening personal connections and mutual support is crucial for weathering these storms. Researchers from diverse fields must unite to unleash untapped potential; cross-disciplinary dialogues have shifted Ishino's viewpoints, revealing how her specialized tools can address societal woes.
This was vividly demonstrated in her encounter with Professor Kazuo Takayama, who was refining a 'liver-on-a-chip'—a miniature device replicating human liver functions. He focused on viral infection control at another university, and recognizing their shared goals, they forged a partnership. Takayama now joins Science Tokyo as part of the VI. His expertise has deepened their understanding of how parasites invade hepatocytes, the first step in human infection. Ishino envisions using this knowledge to innovate vaccines that block infections, showcasing how interdisciplinary fusion births novel approaches to battling diseases.
The Resilience Tech-Society VI champions safer living through international teamwork on disaster and pandemic readiness. It heralds a fresh scientific paradigm: confronting future crises proactively.
When asked how to cultivate disaster-resilient societies, Ishino emphasizes Japan's high vulnerability to natural disasters, ranking it third globally. Yet disasters and pandemics are unpredictable foes. Her long-term aim as PD is safeguarding livelihoods, lives, and dignity no matter what. The VI's use of 'resilience'—a term not widely known in Japan—embodies recovery and adaptability. To beginners, think of it as bouncing back flexibly, infused with kindness and communal aid. Building it requires solid preparations for mutual support, powered by science. But this isn't instant; it demands learning from past events, amassing wisdom, and iteratively strengthening social frameworks. Through repetition, we can forge a society fortified against both disasters and pandemics.
COVID-19 highlighted hurdles like misinformation and fake news. Even the best vaccine falters if fear prevails, underscoring the need for scientific strategies to ease anxieties and spread reliable facts.
Looking ahead, Ishino dreams of science prioritizing overlooked public benefits, such as shielding lives from disasters amid globalization's rise. International cooperation and aid mechanisms must evolve. Shifts in global support can ripple far, so stable frameworks via research, tech, and people are essential. Cultivating diverse global contributors is key, inspiring young researchers to see their work as a force for planetary good.
Resilience, rooted in psychological recovery, encompasses restoration, revival, and pliability. While total disaster prevention is utopian, unified science can minimize harm and uphold human dignity. Ishino's vision is a compassionate future where science tenderly aids humanity—a truly resilient society.
Interview conducted on October 28, 2025, via Zoom.
Profile: Tomoko Ishino, Professor in the Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Science Tokyo. Learn more about her here: [link].
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What do you think? Is resilience more about technological fixes or human empathy? Should international aid be boosted over scientific innovation, or do they complement each other? Share your thoughts in the comments—do you agree with prioritizing global collaborations, or see a different path forward? Let's discuss!
