Activities
Workshop seminar in Japan（March 3-6,2025）
For about a week from March 1st, the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) Core to Core program Asia-Africa Science Platforms B “Development of advanced mountain science research and education to establish a vast genetic diversity database”(Coordinator: Yoshiaki Tsuda)” international workshop seminar was held at Sugadaira Kogen.
We invited 11 young researchers from the Ashoka Trust for Ecological and Environmental Research (ATREE) in India, Nottingham University in Malaysia, Zhejiang University in China, Mahidol in Thailand, Mindanao State University in the Philippines and Tarbiat Modares University in Iran.
In total about 20 researchers including those based in Japan discussed their research and future projects.
TimeTable (3 March: Research Presentation and Seminar)
| 時間 | 名前（所属） | タイトル |
|---|---|---|
| 09:15-09:30 | Yoshiaki Tsuda (Associate Prof., MSC, University of Tsukuba, Japan) | Opening Development of advanced mountain science research and education to establish a vast genetic diversity database. |
| 09:45-10:15 | Christopher Neil Gibbins (University of Nottingham Malaysia) | Warming waters: human impacts on river temperature and ecological implications. |
| 10:15-10:45 | Nobin Raja Mohan Raj (ATREE, India) | Tracking Invasions in Northeast India’s Ramsar Sites: eDNA, Gambusia, and Dietary Impacts. |
| 11:00-11:30 | Nonillon M. Aspe (Mindanao State University at Naawan, Philippines) | The Quest to Trace the Evolutionary Relationship and the Biogeographic Distribution of the Earthworms in Eastern Asia. |
| 11:30-12:00 | Kean Roe Felipe Mazo (Mindanao State University at Naawan, Philippines) | Congruence of Molecular and Leaf morphological data in the genus Saurauia Willd. (Actinidiaceae) in southwestern Philippines. |
| 13:30-14:00 | Oi Ching Or (University of Nottingham Malaysia) | An assessment of wild Asian elephant population status in northern Peninsular Malaysia. |
| 14:00-15:00 | Yousefzadeh Hamed (Tarbiat Modares University, Iran) | Mountains as Refugia and Biodiversity Hotspots in Iran: Animals and Plants. |
| 15:20-15:30 | Naoki Ohnishi (Forestry and Forest Product Research Institute, Japan) | Phylogeography and landscape genetics of the Asian black bear. |
| 15:30-16:00 | Takuma Matsumoto (PhD student, University of Tsukuba, Japan) | Local landscape genetic structure of Asian black bear in the Ina valley, Nagano. |
| 16:00-16:30 | Takumi Kumase (MSc student, University of Tsukuba, Japan) | Genetic structure of Japanese sika deer in Northern Japan Alps. |
| 16:45-17:00 | Namiko Soya (Administrative staff, University of Tsukuba) | Status of International Exchange in the Institute of Life and Environmental Sciences. |
TimeTable (4 March: Research Presentation and Seminar)
| 時間 | 名前（所属） | タイトル |
|---|---|---|
| 09:15-09:45 | Pravech Ajawatanawong (Mahidol University, Thailand) | Dictyostelid Social Amoebae in Thailand and Their Applications. |
| 09:45-10:15 | Chonchaya Chiangsaen (Mahidol University, Thailand) | High-Quality (HQ) Genome Identification for Comparative Genomic of Genus Leptospira. |
| 10:15-10:45 | Jun Chen (Zhejian University, China) | The Lewontin’s paradox on aquatic angiosperms. |
| 11:00-11:30 | Keisuke Yumoto (PhD Student, University of Tsukuba) | Population genetic structure of three cicada species (tribe Cicadini) in Japan based on molecular and morphological analyses. |
| 11:30-12:00 | Fang Tingzhou (Zhejian University, China) | Conservation on Carpinus putoensis. |
| 13:30-14:00 | Nabasmita Makalar (PhD student) | Unraveling the Biogeograhic history of Persea ( Lauraceae) group- filling the gaps in the global phylogeny. |
| 14:00-14:30 | Megu Yarita (MSc student, University of Tsukuba, Japan) | Mitochondrial DNA and morphological variations of an invasive rice frog, Fejervarya kawamurai. |
Photo by Chris Gibbins
Until March, there was little snow on the Sugadaira Plateau, but heavy snow fell during the seminar, allowing the participants to experience the harsh plateau winter.
After the seminar, we held a tour to allow participants to experience Japanese history, architecture, and nature.
Workshop seminar in Japan（March 7-10,2024）
For about a week from March 3rd, the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) Core to Core program Asia-Africa Science Platforms B “Development of advanced mountain science research and education to establish a vast genetic diversity database”(Coordinator: Yoshiaki Tsuda)” international workshop seminar was held at Sugadaira Kogen.
We invited 15 young researchers from the Ashoka Trust for Ecological and Environmental Research (ATREE) in India, Gadjah Mada University in Indonesia, Zhejiang University in China, Mahidol in Thailand, and Mindanao State University in the Philippines. In total about 40 researchers including those based in Japan discussed their research and future projects.
Researchers from Tarbiat Modares University in Iran participated online.
Heavy snow fell in Sugadaira during the event period, and researchers who came from tropical regions were able experience the natural mountain environment during the snowy season.
TimeTable (5 March: Research Presentation and Seminar)
| Time | Name（Affiliation） | Title |
|---|---|---|
| 10:00-10:40 | Yoshiaki Tsuda (Associate Prof., MSC, University of Tsukuba, Japan) | Development of advanced mountain science research and education to establish a vast genetic diversity database. |
| 10:50-11:25 | Ravikanth Gudasalamani (Professor, ATREE, India) | Rivers and barriers in shaping the genetic structure of populations. |
| 11:25-12:00 | Dr. Mohammad Na’iem (Professor, Gadjah Mada University, Indonesia) | Contribution of Tree Improvement Program to Increase Forest Productivity and to Achieve Sustainable Development Goals. |
| 13:15-13:50 | Jun Chen (Young Investigator, Zhejiang University, China) | The study of adaptive introgression in two sympatric Asian oaks. |
| 13:50-14:25 | Pravech Ajawatanawong (Assist. Prof. Mahidol University, Thailand) | Genome Evolution of the Genus Leptospira: A New Framework for Understanding Leptospira spp. and Leptospirosis. |
| 14:25-14:35 | Namiko Soya (Administrative staff) | Status of International Exchange in the Institute of Life and Environmental Sciences. |
| 14:35-15:10 | Kenta Tanaka (Associate. Prof., Sugadaira Research station, MSC) | Significance of secondary nature in Ueda: Grasslands in highlands,agricultural reservoirs and mountain fortresses. |
| 15:20-16:05 | Dr. Yosuke Degawa (Associate. Prof., Sugadaira Research station, MSC) | Chionaster, an engmatic microorganism emerged on the thawing snowpacks. |
| 16:05-16:40 | Dr. Yukie Sato (Assist. Prof., MSC) | Geographical variation, phylogeography and speciation of social spider mites in Japan. |
| 16:40-17:15 | Nonillon Mante Aspe (Prof. College of Marine an Allied Sciences) | Unearthing the Philippine earthworms: Expanding International Collaborations. |
| 17:15-17:35 | Vergitt B. Magtoltol (Assit. Prof. College of the college of agriculture, forestry and environmental science) | Soil Plant Interaction: Exploring Soil Microbial Rhizosphere Processes in Tropical Soil and Its Potential Use to Sustainable Crop Production. |
TimeTable (6 March: Research Presentation and Seminar)
| Time | Name（Affiliation） | Title |
|---|---|---|
| 09:15-09:45 | Takaya Iwasaki (Lecturer) | Genomic insights into migration and local adaptation of Cardamine impatiens across Eurasia. |
| 09:45-10:05 | Yayoi Takahashi (MS student) | Importance of geographic isolation and niche shifts in the diversification of three Japan-endemic Viola Species. |
| 10:05-10:30 | Sapto Indrioko (Lecturer) | Conservation Genetics Perspectives of Indonesian Dipterocarps. |
| 10:30-10:50 | Ridla Arifriana (Lecturer) & Kaharuddin (Lecturer) | Forest Genetics Contribution to The Preservation of Mount Merapi National Park. |
| 11:00-11:20 | Sawtiri (Lecturer) | GWAS & GS for Accelerating Tree Breeding Program in Indonesia’s Tropical Rain Forest. |
| 11:20-11:40 | Takeru Tsunoi (PhD Student, Hokkaido University) | Uncovering the population structure and history of Japanese moles through genomic sequencing. |
| 11:40-12:00 | Dr. Miles Peterson Isao (University of Tsukuba) | Spawning behavior of invasive bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) in Lake Nojiri and future management implications. |
| 13:15-13:35 | Uchu Yamakawa (PhD student, University of Tsukuba) | |
| 13:35-14:00 | Megu Yarita (MS student, Hiroshima University) | Sex determination and phylogenetic evolution in the Yaeyama frogs. |
| 14:00-14:20 | Takuma Matsumoto (MS student, Shinshu University) | Reaction of Asiatic black bears (Ursus thibetanus) to bush cleaning in human settlements. |
| 14:20-14:40 | Harsh Yadav (PhD student, Yokohama National University) | Understanding the Fate of Animal-Mediated Seed Dispersal in Urban Ecosystem. |
| 14:40-15:00 | Nabasmita Malakar (PhD student) | Systematics and character evolution of Indian Persea (Lauraceae) group. |
| 15:20-15:40 | Nobin Raja Mohan Raj (PhD student) | Range expansion, invasion genomics and impacts of invasive Gambusia species in India. |
| 15:40-16:00 | Anoop Nadukkalathil Ravi (Researcher) | Factors determining the seasonal habitat use of Asian elephants in the Wayanad Plateau, Western Ghats, India. |
| 16:00-16:20 | Aravind Neelavar Ananthram (Assoc. Prof.) | Biogeography of Indian non-marine molluscs of India. |
| 16:20-16:40 | Ganesh Thyagarajan (Prof.) | Some learnings from decadal monitoring of three major ecosystems in India. |
| 16:40-17:00 | Ririko Koido | Population demographic history of Asian black bear in relation to the past distribution shifts of cool temperate forest in Japan. |
| 17:00-17:20 | Yousefzadeh Hamed (Associate Professor) | Development of advanced mountain science research and education to establish a vast genetic diversity database in Iran |
Workshop seminar in India（March 7-14,2023）
Development of advanced mountain science research and education to establish a vast genetic diversity database.
8 March 2023 – 14 March 2024
Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE), India
Organizers
Yoshiaki Tsuda, Sen Sandeep
Sugadaira Resarch StartionMountain Science Center, University of Tsukuba, Japan
Ravikanth Gudasalamani
Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE), India
| Time | Topic | Presenter |
| 10:00 AM – 10:15 AM | Welcome, and Introductios | Dr. Ravikanth G |
| 10:15 AM – 10:30 AM | About the Project “Development of Advanced Mountain Science Research and Education to establish a vast Genetic Diversity Database” | Dr. Yoshiaki Tsuda (Associate Prof., Sugadaira Research Station, Mountain Science Center, University of Tsukuba) |
| 10:30 AM – 10:50 AM | Phylogeography and simulated post-glacial migration of wild Black pepper in the Western Ghats | Dr. Sandeep Sen (JSPS Postdoctoral Fellow, Sugadaira Research Station, Mountain Science Center, University of Tsukuba) |
| 10:50 AM – 11:15 AM | Phylogeography of Japanese Aquatic Insects | Dr. Masaki Takenaka (Assist. Prof. Graduate School of Science and Technology, Shinshu University) |
| 11:15 AM – 11:30 AM | Population demographic history of Asian black bear in relation to the past distribution shifts of cool temperate forest in Japan | Ririko Koido (Doctoral Program in Biology, Graduate School of University of Tsukuba) |
| 11:30 AM – 11:50 AM | Conservation genetics of Asarum genus sect. Asiasarum | Masumi Atarashi (Master Program in Mountain Science, Graduate School of University of Tsukuba) |
| 11:50 AM – 12:15 PM | Genetic structure and expansion pathway of introduced brown trout (Salmo trutta) in Japan based on population genetic analyses | Tomohiro Kando (Master Program in Mountain Science, Graduate School of University of Tsukuba) |
| 12:15 PM – 12:45 PM | Genetic structure of Japanese stag beetles: Implications for genetic pollution | Taichi Umino (Master Program in Mountain Science, Graduate School of University of Tsukuba) |
| 12:45 PM – 01:00 PM | Phylogenetics of Lauraceae | Nabasmita Malakar |
| 01:15 PM – 02:00 PM | Lunch | |
| 02:00 PM – 02:15 PM | Phylogeography of the stag beetle Dorcus montivagus (Coleoptera, Lucanidae), corresponds with its main host, the Japanese beech (Fagus crenata, Fagaceae) | Gaku Ueki (Graduate School of Science and Technology, Shinshu University) |
| 02:15 PM – 02:30 PM | Invasion Genomics of Gambusia | Nobin Raja |
| 02:30 PM – 03:00 PM | Endemicity and radiation of Cremnoconchus in waterfalls of the Western Ghats | Dr. Aravind N. A |
| 03:00 PM – 03:15 PM | Taxonomy and Biogeography of the Western Ghats Snakes | Surya Narayan |
| 03:30 PM – 03:45 PM | Tea break | |
| 03:45 PM – 04:00PM | Plant-fungal symbiosis – What does it have to offer the plants in the invasion process?? | Subshikhaa B |
| 04:45 PM – 04:15PM | Parasitic wasps | Ranjith AP |
| 04:15 – 5:00 PM | General Discussion and Wrap up | |
Research meeting/workshop in Malaysia（March 14-17,2023）
