[Kyoto/Barcelona] Design and Experiment with Parasite-driven Behavioral Change

Guests

• Ana Laura Cantera

  Bioelectronic artist, researcher and professor at UNTREF University

  Bioelectronic artist, researcher and professor. She has a Master degree in Electronic Arts at Universidad Nacional de Tres de Febrero (UNTREF), a Bachelor degree in Visual Arts at Universidad de las Artes (UNA) and a degree as Art Teacher at UNA. In her artistic productions she works with the concepts of natures, territories and horizontal entanglements with non-human organisms. She has founded Mycocrea –mycelium lab, where she works with grown designs and other biomaterials. Recently, she received the Global Community Bio Fellows fellowship at MIT, the ELAP Emerging Leaders in the Americas Program (Concordia University-Montreal) and the First Prize Itaú Artes Visuales in Robotic Arts category.

  Bioelectronic artist, researcher and professor. She has a Master degree in Electronic Arts at Universidad Nacional de Tres de Febrero (UNTREF), a Bachelor degree in Visual Arts at Universidad de las Artes (UNA) and a degree as Art Teacher at UNA. In her artistic productions she works with the concepts of natures, territories and horizontal entanglements with non-human organisms. She has founded Mycocrea –mycelium lab, where she works with grown designs and other biomaterials. Recently, she received the Global Community Bio Fellows fellowship at MIT, the ELAP Emerging Leaders in the Americas Program (Concordia University-Montreal) and the First Prize Itaú Artes Visuales in Robotic Arts category.

• Takuya Sato

  The Center for Ecological Research Kyoto University, Associate Professor

  Born in Osaka in 1979. Currently an Associate Professor at the Center for Ecological Research at Kyoto University, studying salmonid biology, forest-stream ecosystems, and host-parasite interactions, with particular interests into host manipulation by horsehair worms.

  Graduated in 2002 from the Fisheries Department within the Faculty of Agriculture, Kinki University, and in 2007 from the Graduate School of Bioresources, Mie University. He has since worked at the KYOUSEI Science Center for Life and Nature of Nara Women’s University; as a JSPS Postdoctoral Fellow at the Field Science Education Center, Kyoto University; as an Assistant Professor at the Hakubi Center for Advanced Research, Kyoto University; as a Visiting Professor of Forestry at the University of British Columbia, Canada; and as an Associate Professor at the Graduate School of Science, Kobe University; before being appointed to his current position in October 2021. He has received awards such as the 18th Denzaburo Miyadi Award from the Ecological Society of Japan, the Shidei Tsunahide Memorial Prize from Kansai Organization for Nature Conservation, Encouragement Prize of Sasakawa Scientific Research Grant for outstanding research activities from the Japan Science Society, and the Shinshu Field Science Award from Shishu University, among others.

  Born in Osaka in 1979. Currently an Associate Professor at the Center for Ecological Research at Kyoto University, studying salmonid biology, forest-stream ecosystems, and host-parasite interactions, with particular interests into host manipulation by horsehair worms.

  Graduated in 2002 from the Fisheries Department within the Faculty of Agriculture, Kinki University, and in 2007 from the Graduate School of Bioresources, Mie University. He has since worked at the KYOUSEI Science Center for Life and Nature of Nara Women’s University; as a JSPS Postdoctoral Fellow at the Field Science Education Center, Kyoto University; as an Assistant Professor at the Hakubi Center for Advanced Research, Kyoto University; as a Visiting Professor of Forestry at the University of British Columbia, Canada; and as an Associate Professor at the Graduate School of Science, Kobe University; before being appointed to his current position in October 2021. He has received awards such as the 18th Denzaburo Miyadi Award from the Ecological Society of Japan, the Shidei Tsunahide Memorial Prize from Kansai Organization for Nature Conservation, Encouragement Prize of Sasakawa Scientific Research Grant for outstanding research activities from the Japan Science Society, and the Shinshu Field Science Award from Shishu University, among others.

• Takehiro Hagiwara

  Senior Manager, MESH Business Office, Sony Marketing Inc.

  Since joining Sony, Takehiro has been engaged in network service planning and development as well as research and development of intelligent information processing systems like machine learning. From 2011 to 2012, he was a visiting researcher at Stanford University, working within their Human-Computer Interaction Group. In 2012, he started the project that would become MESH, which was commercialized in 2015. MESH is currently being used in elementary school programming education, higher education such as universities, and training programs for working adults throughout Japan. MESH has received awards like the Good Design Future Design Award, the Kids Design Excellence Award.

  Since joining Sony, Takehiro has been engaged in network service planning and development as well as research and development of intelligent information processing systems like machine learning. From 2011 to 2012, he was a visiting researcher at Stanford University, working within their Human-Computer Interaction Group. In 2012, he started the project that would become MESH, which was commercialized in 2015. MESH is currently being used in elementary school programming education, higher education such as universities, and training programs for working adults throughout Japan. MESH has received awards like the Good Design Future Design Award, the Kids Design Excellence Award.

• Karen Murata

  Product Planner, MESH Business Office, Sony Marketing Inc.

  As an undergraduate member of a haptics lab, Karen researched tactility within VR/AR spaces, with a focus in digital representations of soft objects. After graduate school, Karen joined Sony Corporation, where she is in charge of developing interaction technology using stereoscopic sound technology along with novel UX proposals and development. In 2024, she joined the MESH team and is currently exploring the next generation of MESH. Her experience studying abroad in Mexico as a student gave her an interest in bridging the gender gap in the IT field.

  As an undergraduate member of a haptics lab, Karen researched tactility within VR/AR spaces, with a focus in digital representations of soft objects. After graduate school, Karen joined Sony Corporation, where she is in charge of developing interaction technology using stereoscopic sound technology along with novel UX proposals and development. In 2024, she joined the MESH team and is currently exploring the next generation of MESH. Her experience studying abroad in Mexico as a student gave her an interest in bridging the gender gap in the IT field.

Planning & Administration

• Nami Urano

  Loftwork Inc. / FabCafe Kyoto Marketing Div.

  After graduating from university, Nami began her work at the creative company, Loftwork, where she was in charge of planning and managing business events and community management. At this time, her focus was on encouraging industry and university collaboration, specifically between Japanese companies and international universities. In 2018, Nami moved to Loftwork in Kyoto where she is in charge of PR, marketing, and recruitment. In 2020, Nami was involved in the launch and management of FabCafe Kyoto’s project-in-residency program, COUNTER POINT. From 2022, Nami launched SPCS (“Species”), a community that explores the uncontrollability of nature. Nami is interested in creating chaos in place, taking inspiration from her personal experiences of living in Folkehøjskole, Denmark, experiencing a kibbutz in Israel, and the fermentation club activities she co-hosted with chef Momoyo Morimoto.

  After graduating from university, Nami began her work at the creative company, Loftwork, where she was in charge of planning and managing business events and community management. At this time, her focus was on encouraging industry and university collaboration, specifically between Japanese companies and international universities. In 2018, Nami moved to Loftwork in Kyoto where she is in charge of PR, marketing, and recruitment. In 2020, Nami was involved in the launch and management of FabCafe Kyoto’s project-in-residency program, COUNTER POINT. From 2022, Nami launched SPCS (“Species”), a community that explores the uncontrollability of nature. Nami is interested in creating chaos in place, taking inspiration from her personal experiences of living in Folkehøjskole, Denmark, experiencing a kibbutz in Israel, and the fermentation club activities she co-hosted with chef Momoyo Morimoto.

• David Tena Vicente

  FabCafe Barcelona CEO

  David Tena Vicente is the CEO of FabCafe Barcelona. David graduated from the University of Barcelona with his degree in physics which has provided an extensive knowledge of mathematics, electronics and the practical application of mechanics. Projects at FabCafe Barcelona are viewed analytically, adapting and altering when necessary due to complex and unexpected situations. These skills are combined to provide training to universities and businesses and also guide David his management of the resources and ongoing projects at FabCafe Barcelona. 

  David Tena Vicente is the CEO of FabCafe Barcelona. David graduated from the University of Barcelona with his degree in physics which has provided an extensive knowledge of mathematics, electronics and the practical application of mechanics. Projects at FabCafe Barcelona are viewed analytically, adapting and altering when necessary due to complex and unexpected situations. These skills are combined to provide training to universities and businesses and also guide David his management of the resources and ongoing projects at FabCafe Barcelona. 

• Naoya Tsuchida

  Technical Director, Loftwork Inc. Technical Group

  After graduating from university, Naoya worked as an embedded software engineer, developing smartphone integrations for next-generation in-vehicle systems software platforms. At Loftwork, he leads product and service development projects using his technical expertise, and he has created various prototypes. He values not only project management but also giving shape to ideas while working with his own hands. Outside of Loftwork, Naoya manages a product development team based on the philosophy of calm technology. With the motto of “Try first,” he pursues the joy of creating things on a daily basis.

  After graduating from university, Naoya worked as an embedded software engineer, developing smartphone integrations for next-generation in-vehicle systems software platforms. At Loftwork, he leads product and service development projects using his technical expertise, and he has created various prototypes. He values not only project management but also giving shape to ideas while working with his own hands. Outside of Loftwork, Naoya manages a product development team based on the philosophy of calm technology. With the motto of “Try first,” he pursues the joy of creating things on a daily basis.

• Gina Goosby

  Creative Director, Loftwork Inc.

  Born and raised in the United States. Graduated from Swarthmore College with a major in Japanese and a minor in computer science. During undergraduate, studied abroad at Doshisha University in Kyoto and conducted research on the local Zainichi Korean community. During the COVID-19 pandemic, they co-founded the New Suns book subscription box, aiming to promote literature and art by LGBTQ+ people and creators of color. As a creative director with Loftwork’s UYN unit, Gina takes part in projects that revitalize local economies around Japan and connect them to the world. In their free time, they make handcrafted webpages and enjoy the Web slowly.

  Born and raised in the United States. Graduated from Swarthmore College with a major in Japanese and a minor in computer science. During undergraduate, studied abroad at Doshisha University in Kyoto and conducted research on the local Zainichi Korean community. During the COVID-19 pandemic, they co-founded the New Suns book subscription box, aiming to promote literature and art by LGBTQ+ people and creators of color. As a creative director with Loftwork’s UYN unit, Gina takes part in projects that revitalize local economies around Japan and connect them to the world. In their free time, they make handcrafted webpages and enjoy the Web slowly.

• Kosuke Kinoshita

  Brand Manager, FabCafe Kyoto

  After graduating from Kyoto Prefectural University’s Department of Social Welfare and Sociology, he worked as a manager of neutron cafe and neutron tokyo art gallery, and as a planner at the now-closed Ikejiri Institute of Design before joining Loftwork in 2015. He participates in the unit MTRL, which supports co-creation and innovation with manufacturing companies with a focus on materials. He was also involved in the launch of FabCafe Kyoto, a community hub where creators, researchers, companies, and other diverse people gather around the concepts of technology and creation. Through workshop management, panel moderation, and exhibition planning and production, Kinoshita aims to “create a place where ‘chemical reactions’ occur” and “design a context that connects things from different fields.” In 2023, he became a part-time lecturer at Kyoto Seika University’s Faculty of Media Expression.

  After graduating from Kyoto Prefectural University’s Department of Social Welfare and Sociology, he worked as a manager of neutron cafe and neutron tokyo art gallery, and as a planner at the now-closed Ikejiri Institute of Design before joining Loftwork in 2015. He participates in the unit MTRL, which supports co-creation and innovation with manufacturing companies with a focus on materials. He was also involved in the launch of FabCafe Kyoto, a community hub where creators, researchers, companies, and other diverse people gather around the concepts of technology and creation. Through workshop management, panel moderation, and exhibition planning and production, Kinoshita aims to “create a place where ‘chemical reactions’ occur” and “design a context that connects things from different fields.” In 2023, he became a part-time lecturer at Kyoto Seika University’s Faculty of Media Expression.

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