![\"P9220130-200x150\"](\"http:\/\/www.waseda.jp\/fsci\/assets\/uploads\/2016\/03\/P9220130-200x150.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n- \n
- Name
\nMYERS Corey Adam<\/strong><\/li>\n- Country\/ Region of Citizenship
\nUnited States of America<\/strong><\/li>\n- Graduated from
\nThe Georgia Institute of Technology<\/strong><\/li>\n- Department
\nDepartment of Modern Mechanical Engineering \uff08Master’s\uff09
\n<\/strong>Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship Honor<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\nHow did you find out about and decide on Waseda University?<\/h3>\n
This is actually my second time to be at Waseda. I came here when I was an undergraduate student as part of the SILS program because my university had an exchange program with Waseda.\u00a0 I had studied for a summer semester at Fukuoka Daigaku and Tokyo Institute of Technology.\u00a0 My home university is a very technical university and I wanted to do something besides math and engineering, so I chose Waseda for the SILS program.<\/p>\n
After I graduated, I worked for a while, and then I decided I needed to do something to help fight climate change.\u00a0 So I started looking for a laboratory in the United States, Europe, and Japan.\u00a0 It is just a coincidence that the laboratory I really wanted to join, the Nakagaki laboratory, was at Waseda.<\/p>\n
The Nakagaki laboratory is kind of unique in my opinion because the professor who is leading the laboratory has strong connections and experiences with business.\u00a0 The purpose of the laboratory is to try to curb global warming by capturing CO2 emitted by power plants and steel making companies.\u00a0 Most laboratories around the world studying climate change are working from a purely scientific perspective, which is important because sometimes you make discoveries and insights that you were not expecting; but in this case, we do not have time and we already know exactly what the problem is, so we need to work with the companies who create the CO2 to find a way to stop global warming while protecting their business interests.\u00a0 When I saw the research being done and the connections that the Nakagaki lab has, I knew it was a special laboratory where you can create a technology, and have it put into use very quickly.<\/p>\n
Did you have any concerns before coming to Japan?<\/h3>\n
![\"IMG_20141110_083602-200x473\"](\"http:\/\/www.waseda.jp\/fsci\/assets\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_20141110_083602-200x473.jpg\")
<\/a>My hometown is very culturally diverse, and I grew up with a lot of different types of people.\u00a0 Even though I lived in Japan for a year before, I was worried that I was going to miss the diversity I enjoy in Atlanta. When I talk to someone, my personality changes to based on the personality of the person I am talking to.\u00a0 So, if I am always talking to Japanese people \u2013 even though each person is unique -, I am always talking to people with generally the same culture.\u00a0 I was concerned that I was going to miss the kind of conversations I have with black people or Hispanic people.\u00a0 Despite my apprehension, I have already met many people who have a strong interest in different parts of American culture.\u00a0 For example, one of my friends here really likes country music; when I talk to him, I feel like I am talking to a “country” person in America. So, even though I dislike country music and culture, I feel like I’m talking to someone in the States and I feel a little less homesick.<\/p>\nDid you have any difficulties when you started a new life here?<\/h3>\n
Of course, there were the normal issues that anyone has when moving to a new city.\u00a0 Most notably, you have to start making a new base of friends.\u00a0 If I want to talk about my love life, what friend do I talk to?\u00a0 Oh, I don’t have that friend yet.\u00a0 If I want to go out to the movies, what friend do I call?\u00a0 Oh, I don’t have that friend yet.\u00a0 But now I am slowly building my friend network.<\/p>\n
How is your life in Japan and at Waseda?<\/h3>\n
In America, I quit my job which was a very good job.\u00a0 I sold my house I bought and left all my friends and all my family to come here.\u00a0 It was kind of like a big emotional and financial risk.\u00a0 As such, I was worried about whether or not I could do the research I wanted to do.\u00a0 I gave up all these things hoping that I will get to do the research I want and not knowing if there be support for me (be it technical, emotional, etc.).\u00a0 But the people in my laboratory immediately treated me like family and took care of me.\u00a0 Of course they take me out and have fun but they also support me in my daily life.\u00a0 For example, if I don’t understand something like setting up an apartment contract, they always help me.\u00a0 Even though they are all younger than me, it feels as though they are protecting me.\u00a0 It is really special to feel so welcomed immediately, and I am convinced I made the right decision.<\/p>\n
Our professor is very demanding and leads by example. He pushes himself very hard and expects the same from us.\u00a0 Since we see he is trying so hard, it motivates us to do the same.\u00a0 It is very normal to be here on the weekends, every night until 10, 11, or 12.\u00a0 Of course we don’t have to be here so late, but it is the good motivation from our professor that keeps us working hard.<\/p>\n
What do you do for fun in your spare time?<\/h3>\n
![\"Corey-Myers-Activities-21-200x266\"](\"http:\/\/www.waseda.jp\/fsci\/assets\/uploads\/2016\/03\/Corey-Myers-Activities-21-200x266.jpg\")
<\/a>I like Martial Arts (Sogo-Kakutogi) and Karaoke.\u00a0 I sing Japanese songs, like Ulfuls.
\nI do not have so much free time, but if I have free time, I should be doing research or practicing Sogo-Kakutogi.\u00a0 If I am not doing something, it feels wrong.<\/p>\nHow are the relationships with your supervisor and lab members?<\/h3>\n
Everything is good.\u00a0 They are nice.\u00a0 They try hard.
\nI got really lucky.\u00a0 The people in my laboratory have a good example from our professor for how to work hard.
\nThere are total of 24 members in my laboratory including 2 international students, a guy from Korea and myself.
\nThe English ability of the lab members is varied, but mainly we speak Japanese.
\nA lot of our conversations are about science, so most of it can be explained in Math, by using formulas.
\nJapanese people are very funny in their own way.\u00a0 Americans are very loud and gregarious.
\nBut Japanese people have these small facial expressions and unspoken communication that is pretty hilarious.<\/p>\nOutline of the research<\/h3>\n
![\"P9220124-200x150\"](\"http:\/\/www.waseda.jp\/fsci\/assets\/uploads\/2016\/03\/P9220124-200x150.jpg\")
<\/a>As everyone is aware, climate change has begun and will continue for millennia to come.\u00a0 What most people are unaware of is the severity, immediacy, and irreversibility of the effects of climate change.\u00a0 Climate change means rising oceans, famine, floods, droughts, mass ocean extinction, mass human migration, and in all likelihood war.\u00a0 These effects will be felt by all people in all countries in a matter of decades.Unfortunately, political inaction has caused the rate of CO2 release to continually increase in spite of relatively cheap technological solutions.\u00a0 Moreover, an immediate, global conversion to a zero-CO2 emission society would not stop the climate change that has already begun.\u00a0 Somehow, we must find a way to circumvent political gridlock and remove not only future CO2 emissions but also what has been emitted since the industrial revolution.CO2 is naturally removed from the atmosphere and oceans when it reacts with Mg\/Ca to form stable carbonates.\u00a0 However, this process is extremely slow and will not save us from climate change.\u00a0 However, if this process can be sped up and done for a profit then companies will implement the technology without the need for political action.\u00a0 To make this process profitable I am developing methods to use waste products from industry as a feedstock of Mg\/Ca and to concurrently generate products for resale to industry.\u00a0 In this way, the overall process can be made financially viable and a global industry of CO2 capture and conversion can be realized.<\/p>\nWhat are your plans for after graduation?<\/h3>\n
Save the world!
\nI mean the world is going to be OK. People might not be Ok.\u00a0 People might more or less go extinct, and that might actually be better for the world.\u00a0 But for now, I will try to save the quality of life and knowledge that people have built up to this point from climate change.<\/p>\nAre you interested in staying and working here?<\/h3>\n
- Country\/ Region of Citizenship