MISIP 2026

07/08/2026

Students from the MISIP program took part in the annual Curie Festival’s “Waiwai Parade” in Misasa Town. The festival honors Madame Marie Curie and expresses gratitude for Misasa’s famous radium hot springs. Parading through the heart of the local hot spring town, the students performed traditional dances to “Misasa Kouta,” “Dodonpa,” and “Shin-Misasa Ondo.” Their lively performance brought a wonderful international flair to the event, drawing warm applause from the crowd. https://youtu.be/jyTWTmQeL3k

07/08/2026

We successfully wrapped up MISIP 2026 yesterday (August 6). Over the past 6 weeks, our 5 international intern groups tackled advanced research projects and presented their final results. After the talks, Director Kameda presented completion certificates, followed by a farewell party where students shared their experiences in Misasa. Congratulations to all our students. Watch the recorded presentations and ceremony. https://youtu.be/QKXTaYQY3oo

07/08/2026

We recently hosted a special lunch meeting between Okayama University President Yasuo Nasu and our MISIP (Misasa International Student Internship Program) participants. In a warm and friendly atmosphere, students shared their experiences, from campus tours and the Mount Daisen hike to life in Misasa Town. We also had a great exchange of ideas on how to further improve research environments, student mobility, and international academic exchange. Thank you to President Nasu and everyone who joined us for making this such a memorable milestone for our young researchers. https://youtu.be/FINGVGIBGfI

29/07/2026

The project 4 team (from right to left; Marta, Naphat, Meghna and Bina) are hard at work overlaying the ion intensity images of soluble organic matter from carbonaceous chondrites onto back-scattered electron images of the same meteorites. The objective is to understand how the distribution of soluble organic matter relates to the minerals and textures of the meteorite samples. In turn, this will help them achieve their aim of understanding how the soluble organic matter might relate to certain processes opporating on the planetesimal progenitor of the meteorites, at the dawn of our solar system.

21/07/2026

Peter is exploring lunar seismology, studying seismic observations to better understand the Moon’s internal structure and its geological evolution.
Angana and Adrita are investigating the formation and evolution of Martian brines through laboratory simulations under Mars-like environmental conditions. Their work aims to better understand how transient liquid water may form and persist on present-day Mars, and its implications for Martian surface processes and habitability.
Over the coming days, they will continue their research through experiments and data analysis, contributing to our understanding of the geological evolution of the Moon and Mars while gaining hands-on experience in planetary science at the Institute for Planetary Materials.

21/07/2026

As part of the MISIP internship program, our students embarked on an exciting two-day excursion to Okayama Campus and Kurashiki!
The first day was packed with academic inspiration. Beginning with a facility tour at the Institute of Plant Science and Resources (IPSR) in Kurashiki, students then headed to Tsushima Campus for lunch and an engaging discussion with researchers from the Institute for Advanced Science (IAS), joined by President Yasutomo Nasu and IPM Director Jun Kameda. After touring state-of-the-art facilities like the cryo-electron microscope, the day concluded at L-Cafe with a lively cross-disciplinary student exchange featuring research posters, juggling, and traditional Zenidaiko performances.
On the second day, students immersed themselves in local culture in Kurashiki. They enjoyed hands-on activities, including decorating boxes with masking tape—celebrating Kurashiki as the birthplace of decorative masking tape—and baking Murasuzume, a famous traditional local sweet. It was a memorable two days filled with rich research exchanges, unique cultural discoveries, and wonderful teamwork!

14/07/2026

Elsa is exploring the interior of Mars through high‑pressure synthesis of Martian mantle minerals, aiming to understand Martian-mantle electrical conductivity.
Charbak and Tanvi are investigating the mineralogy of subducting slabs and the pathways of deep water transport and earthquakes in Earth’s mantle.
In the remaining days of their internship, they will continue conducting high‑pressure experiments that bring us closer to unveiling the hidden structures and processes inside Earth and Mars.

05/07/2026

This year, a group of 12 internship students set out to climb Mount Daisen (peaking at Misen, 1709 m) for the annual MISIP nature experience excursion. Departing from the trailhead of the summer mountain trail in the early morning, the participants tackled the climb at their own comfortable paces, adapting beautifully to the challenging weather conditions and physical demands of the trail. The group split into forward and following teams to ensure everyone could hike safely, with each team turning back after a rewarding climb. Along the way, the host faculty member gave an engaging lecture on the geological formation and origins of Mount Daisen, which the students listened to with great enthusiasm. During the descent, the teams smoothly reunited along the lower section of the trail to walk the final stretch back to the base together. Although the weather was unfortunately far from perfect, it did not dampen anyone's spirits. The students thoroughly enjoyed exploring Mount Daisen's unique ecosystem, observing the area's characteristic adakite rocks and a beautiful variety of seasonal flora, including partridgeberry (tsuruaridooshi), Veronica daisenensis (daisen-kuwagata), broad-leaved helleborine (ezo-suzuran), Astilbe thunbergii (toriashi-shouma), meadow-rue (karamatsusou), and spiraea (shimotsuke). Thanks to great teamwork and mutual support, all 12 participants completed the excursion safely, making it a highly fulfilling and memorable day in nature for everyone.

03/07/2026

【MISIP2026がスタートしました！✨ / MISIP 2026 Has Begun! 🌎】

今年も三朝に、世界中から若い研究者の卵たちが集まりました！

国内外の学生を対象としたインターンシッププログラム「MISIP（Misasa International Student Internship Program）」が、6月30日からいよいよ開幕。今年度はアメリカ、イギリス、フランス、インド、タイの5か国から、選抜された12名の学生を迎えています。

初日はオリエンテーションやウェルカムランチ、そしてラボツアーが開催され、最先端の実験・分析機器を前に学生たちの目が輝いていたのが印象的でした。🔬📸

8月6日までの約1か月半、5つの研究プロジェクトに分かれて最先端の研究に挑むほか、共同生活や大山でのフィールドワークを通じて、国際的な絆を深めていきます。

滞在中の生き生きとした様子は、今後も随時お届けします。お楽しみに！

A warm welcome to our next generation of scientists in Misasa! 🌎

The Misasa International Student Internship Program (MISIP 2026) officially kicked off on June 30. This year, we are thrilled to welcome 12 talented students selected from five countries: the USA, the UK, France, India, and Thailand.

On their first day, the students joined an orientation, a welcome lunch, and a lab tour. It was wonderful to see their excitement as they explored our state-of-the-art experimental and analytical facilities! 🔬📸

Until August 6, they will immerse themselves in five cutting-edge research projects, experience community life at the Misasa guesthouse, and explore local geology during a field trip to Mt. Daisen.

Stay tuned for updates on their journey over the next six weeks! ⭐

🔗 詳しくはこちら / Learn more: https://www.misasa.okayama-u.ac.jp/

#インターンシップ #惑星物質科学研究拠点 #国際交流 #若手研究者

03/02/2026

We are pleased to announce that MISIP 2026 is now open for applications. Please see the details below.

The Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University, Japan (https://www.misasa.okayama-u.ac.jp/)
has opened the annual Misasa International Student Internship Program (MISIP) for advanced undergraduate students (3rd–4th year) and Master’s students majoring in earth sciences, physics, chemistry, materials science, or related fields.

Students with a strong interest in pursuing a research-oriented scientific career are encouraged to apply. Applicants from within or outside Japan are welcome, regardless of nationality.

Travel expenses and daily living expenses will be fully covered. Accommodation will be provided at the Misasa Guesthouse, located close to the Institute.

- Total number of participants: 9
- Internship period: June 30 (Tue) – August 6 (Thu), 2026
- Application deadline: March 24, 2026 (23:59 JST)

Further details can be found at the following link: https://www.misasa.okayama-u.ac.jp/joint/misip/

For inquiries, please contact:
Tak Kunihiro
[email protected]

三朝国際学生インターンシッププログラム 三朝国際学生インターンシッププログラム（MISIP）は、共同利用研究拠