How long have you been working in sPHENIX and at what institution?
I've been a member of the sPHENIX collaboration for about two years. I joined as an undergraduate student at Rikkyo University, and I'm now in the second year of my master's program.
What is the focus of your work on the sPHENIX experiment? What is the title of your Ph.D. or tentative title?
As a member of the INTT group, I mainly focused on detector operation and data taking during the past year. I also worked on resolving the long-standing half-entry issue in the detector. Recently, I've started studying transverse single-spin asymmetry (TSSA), which I hope to pursue as my research topic.
Where did you grow up and what is your educational background before your current position?
I'm from Hachioji, Japan. I'm currently a master's student at Rikkyo University. Besides my work in sPHENIX, I have also been involved in tests of Lorentz violation using experiments at J-PARC in Japan and TRIUMF in Canada.
Awards or biggest talk highlight?
Although I haven't received any awards so far, presenting a poster at the Initial Stages 2025 conference was an unforgettable experience for me. It was my first opportunity to present my research at an international conference.
How did you decide to go into heavy ion or spin research?
I've always wanted to experience research in an international collaboration. Joining sPHENIX gave me the opportunity to work with researchers from around the world, and that's what first attracted me to this field.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I have a wide range of hobbies. I enjoy listening to music, playing shogi, and running. I like trying new things rather than sticking to just one hobby.
Fun fact?
I became a first-dan shogi player last year. Since then, I've been exploring chess as well, and it's interesting to see how differently the two games approach strategy. On a completely different note, my personal "record" at BNL is 17 mph on one of the speed displays while out for a run.