African Rhythms and Memories from Ghana

Hi, this is Eyad, before I finish, there's one more part I forgot to share....

While our research mission in Ghana was intensive and rewarding, some of the most memorable moments happened outside the survey hours .

We welcomed the first sunrise of the year on the beautiful beaches of Keta  a calm, golden morning with the ocean stretching endlessly in front of us. It was the kind of moment that makes you pause, breathe, and feel grateful to be exactly where you are.

Another highlight was visiting a local market , full of color, energy, and life. We explored stalls selling beautiful cloth textiles and handmade leather bags, each piece carrying its own story. During our walk, we stumbled upon a small shop selling local musical instruments . Of course, we couldn't resist trying them. Risako and I played around with the instruments, and to my own surprise, I discovered a hidden talent—I can play the drums quite well 😄. I immediately suggested to Risako that we should start a band, especially since she also plays the guitar. Who knows—maybe next field mission, first lab concert?

During long survey days under the hot coastal sun, we developed a simple but perfect routine:  fresh coconut breaks . Cold coconut water in that weather was unbeatable—refreshing, energizing, and absolutely necessary.

As for food in Ghana, I must confess: I ate a lot of fried rice —and I enjoyed every plate 😄. One thing I quickly learned is that food in Ghana takes time to be served, but honestly, it's part of the experience. Good things are waiting worth for.

One unexpected and comforting moment came when we found a Japanese restaurant in Accra . On the first day of the new year, we enjoyed a nice dinner with familiar Japanese dishes. That evening, I felt both happy and full —a small but meaningful reminder of Japan, even while far away.

On our final day in Accra, we had the chance to attend a  live music show  . The African music was vibrant and powerful—one of those sounds that makes it impossible to sit still. And yes, we danced. My dancing skills were… questionable, but the fun level was very high, and that's what mattered.

These moments—sunrises, music, food, laughter, and shared experiences—made the Ghana mission unforgettable. Beyond the data and surveys, they reminded us that fieldwork is not only about research, but also about connection, discovery, and joy .

From Planning to Practice: Our Field Research Mission in Ghana

 Hello, still remember me ? It’s Eyad Rami Again , M1 Student , i am here to share highlights from our recent research mission in Ghana…

Our recent field mission to Ghana marked a major milestone in our ongoing research on coastal flooding and household resilience. The official objective of this trip was to conduct large scale and comprehensive household surveys in two vulnerable coastal regions Keta and the Densu Delta to  understand how recurrent flooding affects household livelihoods, economies, and long-term resilience.

The survey was designed to capture not only direct flood damages , but also the long-term consequences of flooding , including income disruption, changes in livelihood strategies, and the impacts on household investments and economic stability over time.

Preparation Before the Field Mission

The mission began long before our flight to Accra. Nearly two months in advance, Risako and I worked intensively on refining our research questions and hypotheses, translating them into clear and measurable survey variables. We spent long hours designing, testing, and revising the questionnaire to ensure both scientific rigor and practical applicability in the field.

After multiple rounds of discussion and testing, we finalized the survey instrument, prepared detailed enumerator manuals , and developed a complete operational plan covering training, sampling strategy, and field implementation.

Keta: Training, Testing, and Community Engagement

Upon arrival in Accra, we traveled by car with our Ghanaian colleagues to Keta , where the first phase of the survey took place. The following day, we conducted our first comprehensive training workshop , which lasted nearly six hours. During the session, we carefully explained the survey objectives, question logic, interview techniques, and considerations, ensuring that all enumerators fully understood the methodology.

In the afternoon, the training continued in the field through hands-on practice , allowing enumerators to test the questionnaire in real conditions and engage directly with community leaders. This initial field exposure was critical for refining interview approaches and building trust with local stakeholders.

Household data collection in Keta continued over the next two days, covering both flood-affected and non-affected households , enabling meaningful comparisons across exposure levels. At the conclusion of this phase, we organized an honorarium ceremony to recognize and appreciate the enumerators who contributed effectively to the survey.

Densu Delta: Expanding the Survey

After returning to Accra, preparations began immediately for the second study area. Two days later, a second training workshop was held to prepare a new group of enumerators for the Densu Delta coastal area . This phase of the survey lasted three days and followed the same rigorous methodological framework.

By the end of the mission, we successfully collected 311 household survey samples across both Keta and the Densu Delta—an important dataset that will support robust analysis of flood impacts and household resilience.

Reflections and Acknowledgments

Although the mission was intensive and physically demanding, it was an extremely rewarding experience. Personally, the fieldwork strengthened my teamwork, leadership, management and communication skills , while significantly enhancing my research planning and field management capabilities.

This mission would not have been possible without the continuous support and motivation of Professor Kawasaki , whose guidance was invaluable throughout every stage of the project. I am also deeply grateful to my teammate Risako , whose dedication and collaboration were essential to the mission's success. Special thanks go to our Ghanaian professors, students, and enumerators for their exceptional generosity, professionalism, and commitment in the field.

AGU and San Diego

 Dear all it Kosame again,

This time, I have come to the United States with research achievements to exchange with all of hydrology researchers at the end of the year.

Before going to AGU, as is the custom, I still paid a visit to our group's senior, Moiz-san. Unlike last year, Moiz-san has come to UCSD to conduct research this year.

Unlike the cold east coast, the climate in California is like paradise. It seems that in the locals' concept, there is no such thing as winter at all.

From Los Angeles to San Diego, they actually offer a railway that runs all the way south along the long coastline of the Pacific Ocean. The golden sandy beach, the azure sea, the gentle sea breeze, along with the chirping of seabirds and the crisp clinking of glass beer bottles, all contribute to the fading of the fatigue from the long flight, just like the echoes of the railway tracks gradually receding.

San Diego is often perceived by the public as a renowned military port. However, in reality, it is far from the serious military image. Instead, it has an extremely laid-back pace of life. Passers-by will greet you warmly, and almost everyone says "thank you" when getting on or off the bus. Whether it is the increasingly strong holiday atmosphere or some other reason, the word "trouble" seems very strange to the residents of San Diego, just like the seabirds and sea lions on the beach.

UCSD perfectly blends into the atmosphere of San Diego. Even its address is located between a national forest and a beautiful coastline. Of course, I haven't forgotten the purpose of coming to UCSD. After a year, I have the opportunity to have a face-to-face exchange with our Moiz-san again. Now we are both doing research on dams. On this basis, we discussed the existing methods and common research in the United States.

After saying goodbye to Santiago, we arrived in New Orleans. Contrary to what I had imagined, the place was actually quite clean. Music flowed through the city's streets and alleys like the Mississippi River. Street performances could be seen everywhere, complementing the low and retro buildings in the French Quarter.

The venue of this AGU is still quite close to my residence. On my way to and from the venue, I can think about problems. At this AGU, there are even more studies on machine learning than last year. It seems that with the attention of various research institutions and the power of machine learning itself, it has branched out in the research of various issues.

The conclusion of AGU was as memorable as a New Orleans night, leaving a long-lasting aftertaste. I hope to exchange ideas with more colleagues next year.

See you in San Francisco next year,
Kosame

Attending AGU in New Orleans City 2025

Attending AGU in New Orleans City 2025

Hello everyone, this is Tunyu. It has been more than half a year since my last post about the Philippines. This time, I had the opportunity to attend the AGU 2025 Conference in New Orleans, and I would like to share my journey with all of you.

 

After struggling with jet lag, I presented my research in an oral session focused on using satellite imagery to expand datasets. The session covered a wide range of topics, including harbors, crops, biodiversity, and of course, my own research on poverty. I had a wonderful week, gaining many new ideas through poster discussions and by attending various oral sessions at the venue.

Although most of our five-day trip was spent at the conference venue, we still managed to take the opportunity to explore the culture and food of New Orleans. Honestly, I still prefer Japanese food compared to what I ate this week, but I truly enjoyed the authentic breakfasts and the lively atmosphere of local restaurants every morning. 

As for exploring the city, I visited the Voodoo Museum to learn about African diaspora religious cultures, and I soaked in the jazz vibes on Bourbon Street—a symbolic tourist spot full of surprises and diversity. Last but not least, I fulfilled a long-time dream of watching an NBA game in person.

This journey gave me a lot—both in terms of clarifying the direction of my research and experiencing the free-spirited lifestyle of people from a different culture. I hope to share my next journey with you here next time.

In the Footsteps of the World’s Famous Scientists: Three Weeks at Cambridge

Hi everyone! It’s Leon. While my friends were exploring London, I stayed a bit longer in Cambridge to take part in a unique program called “Musha Shugyō: the Samurai’s Pilgrimage”, an immersive academic training experience.

 

My three-week visit to the University of Cambridge may have been short, but it completely reshaped how I think about research, communication, and my place within the scientific community. And here’s why!

 

Learning to Pitch Research Like a Story

One of the first things I did at Cambridge was a 5-minute, 3-slide research pitch. The format was inspired by business-style presentations, which was very different from the long, technical talks I’m used to. At first, it felt almost impossible—how do you explain a PhD project in five minutes without losing the important parts? Introduction, background, novelty, objectives, methodology, data… ALL in 5 minutes and 3 slides!?

But that challenge was exactly what made it useful. I had to clearly articulate what problem I’m working on and why anyone outside my narrow field should care. Presenting alongside other outstanding students was also eye-opening. Everyone had a different way of telling their research story, and comparing styles made me rethink how I communicate my own work. Because this pitch happened early in my visit, the feedback I got helped me refine my research questions and overall framing for the rest of my stay.

Experiencing the Cambridge Lecture Style

Alongside my research discussions, I attended lectures taught by Dr. Edoardo Borgomeo. These sessions introduced me to the Cambridge lecture style: concise, focused, and packed into a strict one-hour format. I really appreciated this approach—it kept the lectures efficient while still allowing me to maintain my focus and absorb the material effectively. 

Here are some pictures from the academic activities I participated in during my stay. I also couldn’t help but admire the breathtaking architectural details of each building—they added an inspiring atmosphere to every lecture and discussion.

 

 

Walking Through Scientific History

Beyond the academic milestones, visiting Cambridge was a deeply personal experience. Walking through its courtyards, colleges, and pathways felt like stepping into the living history of science. Isn’t it amazing to walk the paths once traveled by some of the greatest scientists in the world?

I saw Stephen Hawking’s Corpus Clock at King’s College, a reminder that time is precious; visited The Eagle Pub, where Watson and Crick famously announced the discovery of DNA’s structure—the “secret of life”; stood near Newton’s apple tree at Trinity College, where the concept of gravity was famously explored; and passed the Cavendish Laboratory, where J.J. Thomson and Ernest Rutherford transformed our understanding of the atom.

These experience were not just visitting landmarks–  they were reminders to me of what sustained curiosity and perseverance can achieve. Being physically present in these historic spaces gave me a powerful sense of connection to generations of scientists before me, and renewed my motivation to pursue my own research with dedication and purpose.

The iconic King's College Chapel :o

Bringing Cambridge Back Home

The skills and perspectives I gained at Cambridge will directly influence my work at my home institution. I plan to adopt Cambridge-style communication approaches—concise pitching, clear problem framing, and methodological transparency—in future seminars, conference presentations, and publications. 

Cambridge was more than just a place to study—it was a reminder of why I pursue science in the first place. Walking through history, learning from brilliant minds, and challenging myself to communicate and think clearly gave me experiences I will carry for the rest of my academic journey. These three weeks may have been short, but the lessons, inspiration, and connections I gained will last a lifetime. I return home not just with knowledge, but with a renewed passion to explore, create, and contribute to the ongoing story of scientific discovery.

That's all for my story this time. See you in the next chapter! Merry Christmas and Have a good year a head! -Leon

Oh, quick visit to London as well! xD