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Dr.
Takao K. Hensch
Group Director,
Neuronal Function Research Group |
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During
brain development, there is a time known as the "critical period" when the brain
absorbs various stimuli and shapes its neuronal circuits accordingly. Dr. Takao
K. Hensch, Group Director of the Neuronal Function Research Group says, "The most
intriguing aspect for me is brain development related to language acquisition.
However, the linguistic system is rather complex and multi-modal, so I have been
investigating critical period mechanisms using visual pathways which are relatively
approachable." What motivated Dr. Hensch to become involved in studying the mystery
of language acquisition can be found in his background, which was marked by an
exceptional childhood.
"I was born in Tokyo but my family moved to New York when I was two years old.
My family consists of a German father, a Japanese mother, and myself, an American,"
says Dr. Hensch in recollection. "I cannot recall it clearly, but according to
my parents they spoke to me only in their native language ever since I was bornÐ
namely, I was addressed in German by my father and in Japanese by my mother, and
neither would respond if I spoke to them in the other's language."
As a result he "learned" to speak German with men, Japanese with women, and English
when outside of the house. He first appreciated this unique environment when he
started to learn French as a second language in school.
"I witnessed my friends struggling to learn a second language and wondered why.
I must have thought everyone was bilingual at home (laughs)," says Dr. Hensch.
He found no major difficulty in learning French and recognized the significance
of environment for the first time.
He, thus, harbored an interest in language acquisition based on his own experience.
"When I entered Harvard University, I first intended to take up mathematics and
artificial intelligence which was then very popular. During my summer vacations,
I worked at IBM research labs as an intern but soon came to realize the sobering
fact that most brain functions were poorly understood" he recalls. "I began to
think that I should look at biological systems first, and thus shifted my course
of study. Since then I have been examining brain function with a biological approach.
In my research, I focus on the ways in which the brain processes information,
as well as how this "processing" is expressed in development."
"After graduating from University, I wanted to see the world and search out my
family roots if possible. Fortunately, I was granted a Ministry of Education (at
the time) and Fulbright Fellowship. I first went on to attend Tokyo University,"
says Dr. Hensch.
It was there that he met Dr. Masao Ito, later Director of the BSI, in his lab
at Tokyo University. "The approach Director Ito adopted was very impressive. In
order to understand a particular function of the brain, every aspect was systematically
analyzed from behavior to molecular levels, leaving no stone unturned. My interest
in computation matched his style," Dr. Hensch says.
After completing his master's degree at Tokyo University, he later moved to the
Max Planck Institute in Germany, the homeland of his father. As it turned out,
he had indeed been able to trace his parent's roots. "Naturally, the experience
made me aware that both Germany and Japan have their own 'uniqueness' that is
inherently different from the U.S.," he says. "Since culture and language are
inseparable, I could understand this to a reasonable extent, yet I often asked
myself, 'Who am I?' during this period"
After returning from Germany, Dr. Hensch completed his doctoral degree at the
University of California San Francisco (UCSF). Just when he was contemplating
his post-doctoral choices, he received a fortunate surprise.
"I was honored to have Director Ito himself call me at the graduate school, and
he invited me to partake in a brain research project that was being planned for
RIKEN," says Dr. Hensch. "When I left Tokyo University, I never expected that
I would have an opportunity to return to Japan, except for the occasional academic
meeting. The offer from RIKEN provided me with a rare chance, which is why I decided
to accept it."
At that time, the BSI had not yet been founded and his first assignment at RIKEN
was in the International Frontier Research Program. This marked the debut of a
29 year old laboratory head who had just completed his doctoral degree. The BSI
was subsequently founded and his lab has been an integral part from the start.
Dr. Hensch has designed several programs new to Japan which have become regular
events at BSI, including the "RIKEN BSI RETREAT," when researchers annually leave
behind the bustle of lab life to meet together outside RIKEN, and the "RIKEN BSI
Summer Program" which gathers young researchers and faculty from Japan and abroad
for an intensive lecture course or lab internship.
"I believe the RETREAT significantly contributes toward establishing friendship
and collaboration within BSI while helping to develop presentation skills," Dr.
Hensch says. "And I am also glad to hear that already five former Summer Program
participants have actually started working at RIKEN, which shows that the Program
has been effective."
Dr. Hensch emphasizes the importance of teamwork and balance in his research.
Each individual tries to improve his or her own capabilities, so that all members
can make their best combined efforts, leading to a team 'victory.' He tries to
maintain an equal number of foreign/Japanese and male/female researchers. All
technicians are also given their own projects.
"I hope the BSI itself will extend its horizons without limiting its operational
scope to just individual research teams," Dr. Hensch adds. "We may consider
BSI to be a successful institute only when a super-additive effect is achieved
by working and interacting together."
In 2000,
with the members of lab. at Naeba. Third from the left is Dr. Hensch. |
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