September 24, 2024, is a date I’ll always cherish. It was the day I had the privilege of giving a talk at the Institute of Radiation Emergency Medicine, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Hirosaki University, Japan.
My talk, titled “Impact of Cigarette Smoke on Sensitivity to Ionising Radiation,” was attended by an enthusiastic audience of faculty members, Ph.D. candidates, master’s students, and undergraduates. Together, we explored how cigarette smoking exacerbates risks in radiotherapy and its broader implications for human health. I had the opportunity to share research findings from our team at the Center for Radiation Protection Research and the Department of Molecular Biosciences, Stockholm University, Sweden under the leadership of Prof. Andrzej Wojcik.
This seminar featured impressive talks. Prof. Harry Scherthan, from the Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, University of Ulm, Munich, delivered a fascinating talk on “DNA Damage Response After Mixed Internal Irradiation.” Prof. Andrzej Wojcik impressed the audience with his insights on “Individual Sensitivity to Radiation and Its Relation to Radiation Protection.”
Interacting with the curious and motivated students of Hirosaki University was particularly rewarding. Their questions and engagement highlighted the significance of the discussions and reinforced the value of such academic exchanges.
I owe a special thanks to Dr. Satoru Mozen, our research collaborator from Hirosaki University, for organizing this enriching seminar. The invitation from the Dean of the Graduate School added a personal touch to an already unforgettable experience.
This seminar was part of my broader visit to Japan for the EPRBiodose Conference 2024, making the entire trip truly remarkable. Reflecting on this day, I feel deeply honored to have contributed to the exchange of knowledge and to have been part of such an intellectually stimulating environment. Truly, a memorable milestone!
Some memorable pictures below:
Dr. Prabodha Kumar Meher 