Photo= Professor Yamanaka delivers a lecture in front of students filling a large lecture hall (May 28, Kyoto University, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City)

On May 28, Professor Shinya Yamanaka, director of the Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, delivered lectures to general students at the Yoshida Campus of Kyoto University in Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City, for the first time after winning the 2012 Nobel Prize. A total of approximately 1,600 students crowded into his two lectures. Professor Yamanaka interspersed the lectures with his own experiences of frustration and sent cheers, saying, "I want you to find a vision that you can pursue all your life."

These lectures are part of the common subjects for all departments, which researchers representing Kyoto University teach in turn. Professor Yamanaka spoke about his research theme of iPS Cells (induced pluripotent stem cells). Particularly because he isn't usually in charge of any classes, the standing-room-only audience overflowed the 500-seat lecture room.

Professor Yamanaka explained the catalysts that led him to become a researcher. Although pursuing medicine, he was unable to do anything for his father's liver failure or patients with one-sided paralysis; nor was he good at surgery. He also confided that he was depressed due to the differences in the research environment after he came back from the United States.

"I had a vision of developing a new treatment for patients with incurable illnesses," he recalled, which was the driving force behind his iPS Cell research. He expectantly said, "It takes some time for fundamental research to be applied to society. I hope that some among you will become researchers or supporting personnel."

A male student who is a freshman in the Faculty of Law and originally from Hirakata City, Osaka Prefecture, was impressed. He said, "It was helpful for considering my future course."