Congratulations to Dr. Huang on earning his Ph.D.! 🎉

Our laboratory proudly celebrates the outstanding achievement of Dr. Jianming Huang, who has successfully defended his dissertation and earned his doctoral degree—a significant milestone in his academic journey.

Pursuing a Ph.D. is an endeavor that demands not only intellectual curiosity but also years of rigorous research, countless hours in the laboratory, and a steady commitment to one’s field. Dr. Huang’s dedication, perseverance, and passion for discovery have led him to this well-earned accomplishment.

As he embarks on the next chapter of his scholarly career, we do not doubt that his contributions to academia and beyond will be profound. We look forward to witnessing his continued success and the impact of his research.

Congratulations once again, Dr. Huang (Ken-mei san)!

Message from Dr. Huang

I have studied in Japan for around six years since 2018. Before I came here to become an international student, I just graduated from Xiamen University in China. Like many in my generation, Japanese anime, manga, and games captivated me at that time. And this provided me with the opportunity to come to Japan and have such an unforg ettable study experience in Prof. Kasai’s laboratory. As the lab’s first master’s student, I initially had concerns about adapting to a new academic environment in a foreign country. Would I fit in with Japanese students and faculty? My worries quickly dissolved as I discovered how welcoming everyone was. Prof. Kasai’s mentorship style particularly impressed me—he would spend hours in one-on-one discussions, patiently addressing my questions as I took my first steps into research. This personalized guidance not only improved my research capabilities but also enhanced my language skills. Thanks to his support, I published my first journal paper during my very first academic year. Our laboratory has made significant advances in graph learning, optimal transport, sequence data analysis, and generative AI. To stay current in these fields, we organize regular research seminars. In these seminars, students will share their studying process in oral presentations towards other ones. Specifically, we are usually assigned different chapters/sections of a book/paper. I’ve always appreciated this collaborative approach—our contents of presentations are strongly interrelated, creating natural opportunities for communication and cooperation among lab members. Beyond academic pursuits, our out-of-school seminars have provided some of my fondest memories. Two or three times yearly, we’d travel to WASEDA seminar houses located in different cities. During these several days, we’d have activities, including sports competitions and group barbecues. I had a great time at previous out-of-school seminars. The beautiful scenery at the Karuizawa and Izu seminar houses made these experiences even more memorable! Now, having completed my doctoral degree at WASEDA University, I’m deeply grateful to Prof. Kasai for his patient guidance, and to my classmates for our mutual support throughout our studies.