Dr Kathleen S. Rockland
Laboratory head
Cortical Organization and Systems Laboratory
Brain Science Institute, RIKEN
2-1 Hirosawa, Wako-shi,
Saitama 351-0198, Japan
Dear Dr Rockland,
How have you been doing? I hope that things in the laboratory are going smoothly and that everyone is doing well.
It has been quite a while since I visited your laboratory as part of the Riken BSI Summer Internship program and it is amazing how time fl ies by. However, my memories from four summers ago are still crystal clear. Upon my arrival, I was very warmly greeted by you and the members in your laboratory, all of whom had gone out of their way to make me feel welcomed. I also still remember walking into your laboratory and being instantly impressed by how clean and well-maintained it was.
The working environment was a very pleasant one, with everyone always ready to help and to give me the support I needed. During my stay there, my original apprehension of not being able to converse in Japanese was unfounded, as it never became an issue. I then went on to learn so much over the next few months. My techniques in various immunohistochemical and zinc stains had vastly improved, and they now form a core portion of my dissertation. Without all the help that you and Dr Noritaka Ichinohe have given me, my dissertation research would not be going on as smoothly as it is now. For that you have my sincerest gratitude.
Apart from gaining experience in the laboratory, I also got to see parts of Tokyo while I was there. I would like to thank both you and Charles for taking time off your busy schedules to show me around Ueno and the Tokyo Bay area. In addition, I managed to snatch glimpses into the Japanese way of life, as at various points during my stay, people from the laboratory had invited me to their homes for dinners and to enjoy the stunning displays of fi reworks that are put up during the summer.
I am very fortunate to have been given the opportunity to work in your laboratory as part of the internship program. Th is experience has not only allowed me to enrich myself professionally, it has also given me some insights into the Japanese culture, which I fi nd absolutely fascinating. All these experiences that I have had in Japan are unforgettable and the memories formed are very dear to me.
Finally, I would like to wish you all the best, and perhaps I will see you soon!
Best regards
Peiyan Wong
Department of Psychology
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, Tennessee, USA
