Marylka Yoe Uusisaari – Researcher interview

Marylka Yoe Uusisaari – Researcher interview

Q1 Please introduce yourself briefly.

I am Marylka Yoe Uusisaari, a Finnish brain scientist, professor at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST). My research focuses on the motor systems of the brain and how they work. In my free time, I enjoy the island life of Okinawa, accompanied by my cat Yoda.

Q2 Could you tell us what your research is about?

I am studying how the brain controls movement and learns new motor skills. In particular, I focus on the connections between the cerebellum and the inferior olive nucleus. I use precise motion capture, in vivo imaging and computational models to understand the neural mechanisms underlying movement.

Q3 What can your research help us to understand, and what is its aim?

The aim of my group’s research is to understand how neural networks process complex motor commands and how errors are detected and corrected during movement. This can help to develop better methods for diagnosing and treating neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s, for example, and help to create more advanced robotic applications where motion control is important.

Q4 As a Finn living in Japan, what can you tell us about the challenges, benefits or just interesting things about living in Japan?

Living in Japan, especially Okinawa, is fascinating, but the cultural differences and language barrier also bring their own challenges to everyday life. A particular feature of living in Okinawa is its remoteness: there is little urban life and if you want the pulse of a big city, you usually have to fly to Tokyo. On the other hand, Okinawa makes it easy to make short trips to nearby cities such as Hong Kong and Taipei. The nature here is stunning, and the people very friendly and helpful. There are only a few of us Finns here in Okinawa and (probably) all of us work for OIST.

Q5 What advice would you give to Finnish researchers who want to come to Japan to do research?

I would recommend openness and patience: things can move slowly and through many formalities. Acquiring even a rudimentary knowledge of Japanese will help enormously in everyday life and in establishing contacts with colleagues. Applying for grants in Japan is slightly different from European practices, and I recommend taking the time to learn about the local funding system and its practices. It is also important to build relationships based on trust, as this plays a major role in collaboration.