Science Tackles Disasters & Diseases for a Better Planet: An Interview with Professor Tomoko Ishino
The Institute of Science Tokyo (Science Tokyo) has launched the Visionary Initiatives (VIs) in the 2025 academic year, a cross-disciplinary research framework to co-create new value with society while advancing science and human well-being. Six VIs are currently tackling the challenge of shaping the future, each developing distinct shared visions for societal transformation based on three pillars: "Better Life," "Better Society," and "Better Planet."
One of these VIs, Resilience Tech-Society, aims to build a society resilient to disasters and pandemics. Professor Tomoko Ishino, from the Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, serves as the program director (PD) of this initiative. In this interview, she discusses her research on tropical diseases, her goals as PD, and the potential of science through collaboration.
The Intersection of Scientific Pursuit and Compassion
Why did you choose a tropical disease among infectious diseases for your research?
"During my college years, I was enrolled in a pharmaceutical sciences lab, conducting fundamental research on how the body regenerates and defends itself against diseases. Alongside my studies, I participated in study tours in several Asian countries, where I encountered poverty, but I was consistently touched by the smiles of the local children. These experiences deepened my desire to make a difference in Asia. I considered working for an organization involved in international aid, such as an NGO or the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). However, I was equally fascinated by basic research. Studying tropical diseases seemed to fulfill both of these aspirations. Thus, while in my doctoral program, I attended a three-month seminar on tropical diseases."
Building a Crisis-Resilient Society
What are your goals as PD leading the VI: Resilience-Tech Society?
"Our VI, Resilience Tech-Society, aims to build systems that ensure the delivery of essential services such as environmental recovery, lifelines restoration, and medical care provision when unavoidable natural disasters or pandemics occur. As PD, my primary contribution is focused on infectious diseases within this VI. These diseases fall into two categories: emerging diseases like COVID-19 that appear suddenly, and re-emerging diseases like malaria that have afflicted humanity for centuries. Both threaten daily life and are difficult for any single country to manage in an era of frequent cross-border travel and business. Leveraging the research hub at the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, and the connections we have established, we will gain a clearer understanding of ongoing infectious disease situations and develop human resources in Ghana - efforts through which we will share the VI's philosophy and findings with the world."
The Potential of Science Through Collaboration
What kind of potential can science tap through collaboration?
"Currently, major donor nations are cutting their international aid budgets, leading to a sharp decline in funding for disaster response and infectious diseases. As a result, financial assistance to Africa has decreased. This has serious consequences, including shortages of therapeutics for HIV patients. Even so, what scientists must do has not changed. Ultimately, science and international collaboration are carried out by people. That's why it is essential to strengthen human connections and support each other to get through these difficult times. It is also indispensable for researchers in different fields to collaborate if we want to unlock new research potential. Discussions with researchers from other disciplines have led me to change my perspectives and to discover, sometimes unexpectedly, that my specialized technologies can help solve social problems."
Resilience-Tech Society: Achieving a Society Resilient to Disasters and Pandemics
How do you intend to create a society resilient to disasters?
"Japan is said to rank third in terms of natural-disaster risk. However, natural disasters and pandemics cannot be predicted or prevented. My long-term goal as a PD is to protect people's livelihoods, lives, and dignity under any circumstances. The English term, 'resilience,' as used in the VI: Resilience-Tech Society, may be unfamiliar to many in Japan. It refers to the ability to recover and adapt with flexibility. I believe the term also carries a sense of mutual support and human consideration - a form of kindness. To foster resilience, we need robust preparations that enable mutual support in any situation. We aim to achieve this through the power of science. However, such preparedness cannot be built overnight. We must learn from past disasters, accumulate knowledge, and gradually develop a disaster-resistant social structure, repeating this cycle over and over. Through this continuous process, we aspire to create a society that is highly resilient to both disasters and pandemics."
The Future of Science
What are your hopes for the future of science?
"When we talk about science, we often emphasize convenience and novelty. However, our priority is to bridge science and society in areas that generate public benefits but are often overlooked, such as protecting people's livelihoods, lives, and dignity from natural disasters. As globalization progresses, it becomes increasingly important to establish mechanisms for international collaboration and support. As global support systems change, what happens in certain regions or institutions can have far-reaching implications. To address this, we must develop a framework that offers stable support through research, technology, and human resources. This includes cultivating human resources who can contribute on the global stage, regardless of nationality. I hope that through our VI, young and aspiring researchers will see that their in-depth work can ultimately help make our planet a better place."
Conclusion
"Resilience originally referred to psychological recovery. I appreciate its multi-faceted meaning: restoration, recovery, and flexibility. While it may be impossible to completely eliminate damage from disasters, I firmly believe that uniting scientific fields around this mission can reduce damage and protect people's livelihoods, lives, and dignity. My goal is to help shape a humane future where science gently supports people - a society that can truly be called resilient."
Interview date: October 28, 2025 (via Zoom)
Profile
Tomoko Ishino
Professor, Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine
Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences
Science Tokyo
Tomoko Ishino (Japanese)
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