Internship report by Ms. Ikehata - Global Communication Report #27
May 11, 2026
Global Communication Report #27
Our Graduate Schools of Infectious Diseases and Veterinary Medicine participates in the World-leading Innovative & Smart Education (WISE) program. The special curriculum in our WISE Program includes a variety of internships abroad. Graduate students in the program stay at international organizations, research institutes, and companies to engage in professional internships.
Hokkaido University WISE Program for One Health Frontier Graduate School of Excellence
https://onehealth.vetmed.hokudai.ac.jp/
In this issue, Ms. Mari Ikehata, a fourth-year graduate student in our laboratory, reports on his internship activities.
During this internship, I spent approximately three weeks in the laboratory of Dr. Véronique Delcenserie, who is affiliated with the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and the FARAH (Fundamental and Applied Research for Animals and Health) Research Center at the University of Liège in Belgium. Dr. Véronique’s laboratory, often referred to as the “SHIME Lab,” conducts research primarily using the SHIME system. SHIME, an acronym for Simulator of the Human Intestinal Microbial Ecosystem, is a dynamic gastrointestinal model capable of reproducing the conditions of each segment of the digestive tract from the stomach to the colon. This model enables sample analysis at various stages of digestion and allows precise control and evaluation of numerous parameters, including the microbiota, dietary components, transit time, temperature, and enzymatic activity. Through participation in one of the laboratory’s projects, I was able to gain a comprehensive understanding of the experimental workflow using the SHIME system.
In addition, I traveled from Belgium to France, and on the final day of the internship, I visited Dr. Torii, who is currently working as a postdoctoral researcher at the Institut Pasteur in Paris. At present, seven Japanese researchers, including Dr. Torii, are affiliated with the Institut Pasteur. Over lunch, we exchanged views on research topics and career development, and I was also given a tour of the laboratories to which each researcher belongs.
This internship was not only an opportunity to broaden the scope of my own research but also an invaluable experience in considering my future career path. I strongly hope to revisit both the University of Liège and the Institut Pasteur in the future.
Lastly, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Dr. Véronique, the members of her laboratory, and the Japanese researchers at the Institut Pasteur, including Dr. Torii, for their warm support and for making this internship possible.
Overview of the research facilities at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège
A scene from the research
With the lab members
Overview of the Pasteur Institute
