TOMODACHI-Dow Women’s STEM Leadership and Research Program Concludes with Final Presentation

On March 27, 2025, the final presentation of the TOMODACHI-Dow Women’s STEM Leadership and Research Program was held in Tokyo. Approximately 20 people, including program participants and stakeholders, attended the event.
Representing the participants, Nanami Abe gave a presentation on her experience in the research internship program held at Rice University in Texas from February to March 2025. She shared insights into her research experience in an American laboratory, a visit to Dow Chemical in Houston, and her observations on the differences between female researchers in Japan and the U.S. She also spoke about her future goals inspired by the program.

 

Reflecting on her experience, Ms. Abe concluded her presentation with the following words:
“This program was truly a life-changing experience. Through conducting research in an international, cutting-edge lab and exchanging ideas and career goals with many people—including nine inspiring fellow participants—my passion for physics grew even stronger, and I became even more determined to pursue a career as a physicist. Experiencing the local culture and learning about the lives of PhD students in the U.S. made me seriously consider pursuing a PhD here in the future. Back in high school, I was the only female student aspiring to major in physics, and there were times I felt isolated. However, through this program, I was able to build a strong academic network with many female students and researchers in STEM, which gave me the confidence that I’m on the right path.”

 

The final presentation was held in a hybrid format and attended by several employees of Dow Chemical, the program’s key supporter. In the latter half of the event, participants engaged in an active discussion on topics such as work-life balance and workplace environments.
In response to the question, “Now that you’ve completed the U.S. training, what can you do as a woman in STEM in Japan and at your university?” One of the participants answered, “At Rice University, I was surrounded by people who were happy to support me. In the future, I hope to become a professor in Japan and offer the same kind of support to the next generation.”