Gabriel Theophilus Vinalay Valera (PhD student, 3rd year, Department of Geology and Mineralogy, Division of Earth and Planetary Sciences)

Date of Interview: May, 2021

Before Coming to Kyoto University
I arrived in Japan on the spring of 2019 to pursue PhD studies under Dr. Tetsuo Kawakami and supported by the Monbukagakusho scholarship. Before coming to Kyoto University I worked as a junior faculty member at the University of the Philippines, National Institute of Geological Sciences while doing my masters (MSc) in Geology. During my MSc research, I was fortunate to have been given several opportunities to visit Japan for research-related activities. Through the collaboration between our research laboratory in the Philippines (Rushurgent Working Group) and other universities (e.g. Kanazawa University) and research institutes (National Museum of Nature and Science) here in Japan, I was able to do laboratory analyses, join educational field trips and participate in scientific conferences in Sapporo, Tokyo, Kanazawa and Shizuoka.
Even though the duration of these trips may be short, they contributed to my appreciation of the beauty of Japan, its culture as well as the competitive level of scientific research here. Considering that the Philippines and Japan share very similar tectonomagmatic histories, it was and is my hope therefore to apply the training that I get here at Kyoto University when I return to my home country to unravel the mysteries of the Philippine island arc system.

Life at Kyoto University

-What did you enjoy most during your time at Kyoto University?
I enjoyed the changing seasons the most. Kyoto City has perfectly melded modern architecture with nature, the seasonal change reflected in the color of trees, and the weather and cultural activities that accompany them always makes me smile no matter how difficult or long the day may be.

-What were the biggest challenges you met?
An important value that I came to appreciate more in my time here in Kyoto University is independence in scientific research. Identifying the fundamental goal of my research, designing how to address these questions and then formulating the story from the data that I get (which is usually what you least expected) was certainly no easy task but is definitely rewarding. Although not entirely foreign to me, adapting to this research culture and changing the wiring of my brain to relearn rocks through the lens of a metamorphic petrologist was challenging. Added to this of course were the difficulties of moving to another country experiencing the coldness of winter in its entirety for the first time and learning a new language, a skill that my brain is apparently not designed for.

-What did you work on to overcome the challenges?
With regard to research difficulties and guidance, I found it best to keep an open line with my supervisor, Kawakami-sensei, albeit sometimes it might be difficult or even embarrassing to ask “basic” concepts and interpretation. Through accepting our weaknesses and limitations can we only grow- this I have come to comprehend in this Ph.D. journey. In overcoming and adjusting to the new life here in Japan, I have come to appreciate the importance of physical exercise (e.g. cycling) and parties. The first one helped me see the different facets of Kyoto’s natural beauty and her seasons while the latter was effective in bringing people together, meeting new friends and practicing my limited 日本語, which subsequently made my problems lighter.

Life during COVID-19

-What were the beneficial/challenging aspects of life during COVID-19?
As a graduate student, the limitation to travelling back and spending holiday break in my home country was difficult for me. This thought however evaporates just as quickly whenever I see that what may be causing inconvenience for me was horrifying to other people most especially healthcare workers and those who lost someone to this disease. On hindsight this limitation to travel actually helped me to focus more on my research. Doing research remotely during the initial university lockdown on the spring of 2020 and not being able to freely meet with everybody else was also challenging but this again opened new possibilities such as online consultation.

Research at Kyoto University

-What do you hope to do after graduating from Kyoto University?
I plan to go back to my home country and apply the research training that I get here in Kyoto University. Research on metamorphic rocks in the Philippines has been in its infancy stage for a long time and hopefully we will finally be able to find these rocks and unravel their long held stories. I also plan to keep and ideally strengthen the collaborative ties with the research institutes and universities here in the Japan side.

Message for Future International Students
Work hard and keep the fire of burning. As with anything, research is not always easy and daunting questions are to be expected. Through consistent communication and consultation with your supervisor and peers, you can definitely rise through these challenges. At the same time, enjoy the journey and take time to discover what Japan has to offer (e.g. beer, scenic places, and a unique culture). Surround yourself with people who will support you and finally never be afraid to seek help and to offer it as well.