This Research Pack Abroad summer research opportunity will provide students the opportunity to sharpen their research skills working with faculty at Nagoya University.

Summer 2026 opportunities

Laboratory of Crop Science
Analysis of transpiration dynamics in field crops:
We are going to investigate the environmental response of stomatal dynamics and water use characteristics in field-grown rice, maize, and soybean using a portable gas-exchange measurement system and a microcontroller-based sap flow sensor.

POSITION FULL: Laboratory for Plant Signaling
Elucidating the function of phytohormones in plant growth and development
We conduct multifaceted research to elucidate the molecular mechanisms that optimize plant growth and development in response to environmental cues. Our work focuses particularly on the roles of phytohormones, investigating the regulatory networks that control shoot and root development under varying nitrogen nutrition and during pathogen infection. Through these studies, we aim to uncover the mechanisms governing sink–source regulation and assimilate allocation.

POSITION FULL: Plant Pathology Laboratory
Analysis of defense compounds produced by plants
Solanaceous plants, such as tomato and potato, produce sesquiterpenoid phytoalexins (antimicrobial substances) against pathogenic fungi, but their biosynthetic mechanisms are largely unknown. Analysis of varietal differences in phytoalexins produced by potato, tomato and petunia by GC/MS (gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer) and RNAseq will be used to identify novel phytoalexins and biosynthetic enzyme genes.

POSITION FULL: Laboratory of Animal Integrative Physiology
Understanding the mechanism of circadian clock and its molecular control. Animals have various biological clocks such as circadian clock, lunar clock, and seasonal clock. Although these phenomena attract tremendous general interest, their mechanisms are one of the great mysteries in biology. The uniqueness of our research lies in the use of various vertebrate species such as fish, birds, and mammals. By applying systems biology approach, we are trying to uncover the mystery of biological clocks.

POSITION FULL: Laboratory of Genome and Epigenome Dynamics
Epigenetic regulation of meiotic recombination in mice.
Meiosis is a unique type of cell division, which occurs only in germ cells. Whereas homologous chromosomes are located separately in the whole life of somatic cells, they pair and exchange genetic materials during meiosis. This genetic exchange is executed via homologous DNA recombination. In mammals, although homologous recombination is a programmed and essential process during meiosis, an excess of homologous recombination results in germ cell death and infertility. We have studied how epigenetic modifications, such as DNA methylation and histone methylation, regulate the initiation of homologous recombination during meiosis of mouse male germ cells.

POSITION FULL: Laboratory of Animal Reproduction
Analysis of neural circuits controlling the activity of kisspeptin neurons
Kisspeptin neurons are the master regulator for animal reproduction to govern the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis in mammals. We are going to identify upstream neural signals that control the activity of kisspeptin neurons in the hypothalamus and analyze their roles in rats.

POSITION FULL: Laboratory of Avian Bioscience (Avian Bioscience Research Center)
Basics and applications of chicken primordial germ cells
Germ cells are special because they can transmit life to future generations without losing quality. Chicken primordial germ cells (PGCs), which are embryonic stem cells, develop into eggs and sperm. They are valuable for cryopreservation of genetic resources and for generating new breeds tailored to human preferences. Currently, research focuses on understanding the mechanisms of PGC growth and developing genome-edited chickens.

Forest Hydrology and Erosion Control Engineering
We are conducting interdisciplinary research on water circulation and sediment
dynamics within watershed ecosystems. Students will explore the interactions between
vegetation and hydrological processes such as rainfall interception, evapotranspiration,
soil erosion, and slope runoff, through field observations and numerical simulations.
Students will also investigate watershed-scale water and soil management by linking
agricultural and forest systems to disaster prevention and resource conservation.

Laboratory of Timber Engineering
We conduct interdisciplinary research on wood utilization in the fields of architecture
and civil engineering, applying wood mechanics and physical properties as foundational
science and applied science. Students explore sustainable wood utilization processes
through wood strength testing, elemental testing of wood structures (such as joints),
dynamic surveys on wood utilization (using parameters like log production areas,
product manufacturing locations, building scale, and construction regions), and
numerical simulation. A key point of note is the interdisciplinary nature of this work,
spanning forestry, wood science, and engineering.

Information

Courses: Independent Study (3 credits)

Program Dates: 2 months during the summer – anytime between Mid-May to August

Deadlines

• Scholarships Application Deadline: Apply by February 15, 2026
• Application Deadline: Rolling admissions through December 12, 2025

Cost

• Students cover the cost of their airfare, housing in Japan and food directly
• Nagoya University will help the students find housing on campus or close to campus
• Students register their participation through Study Abroad Independent Study/Research Abroad
  • $75 non-refundable application fee
  • $150 Study Abroad Fee

How to Apply

•  Email resume/CV to Dr. Adrienne Tucker at adrienne_tucker@ncsu.edu
• Specify preferred partner institution and research interest in email
• Schedule a meeting with Dr. Tucker to discuss your research goals and to identify the best mentor