Thematic Programs

Spinning the Future of Communication

Information

This symposium brings together leading international and domestic researchers to explore cutting–edge advancements in neuro/bioscience and engineering that can enable seamless and equitable communication for all individuals, regardless of their personality traits or disabilities. In addition to technological innovations, we will discuss the ethical, legal, and social issues (ELSI) of implementing these advancements in society. Through interdisciplinary discussions, we will envision a future where technology bridges communication gaps and fosters true inclusivity.

Date

Wednesday, March 26, 2025 – Friday, March 28, 2025

Venue

Sendai Ryokusaikan Visitor Center [Access]

Invited Speakers

Shinsuke Shimojo *

California Institute of Technology

Sven Bestmann *

University College London

Wen–Sung Lai *

National Taiwan University

Alison E Lane *

La Trobe University

Ko Matsui

Tohoku University

Kentaro Abe

Tohoku University

Ken–Ichiro Tsutsui

Tohoku University

Takuya Sasaki

Tohoku University

Keiichi Kitajo

National Institute for Physiological Sciences

Ayuko Hoshino

The University of Tokyo

Noriko Osumi

Tohoku University

Yukie Nagai

The University of Tokyo

Masahiko Inami

The University of Tokyo

Fumitaka Homae

Tokyo Metropolitan University

Masanori Hariyama

Tohoku University

Shin–ichiro Kumagaya

The University of Tokyo

Motoaki Nakamura

Showa University

Saku Hara

Tohoku University

* keynote speaker

Registration  [Mar. 10, 2025 Updated]

Registration deadline: Friday, March 7, 2025, 16:00 (JST) →Wednesday, March 19, 2025, 24:00(JST)
*Deadline has been extended.
– Closed

Time Schedule

Wednesday, March 26, 2025

13:20 – 14:00

Registration open

14:00 – 14:05

Opening remarks

Ken–Ichiro Tsutsui (Tohoku Univ.)

Chair: Yukie Nagai (Univ. Tokyo)

14:05 – 14:40

Ken–Ichiro Tsutsui (Tohoku Univ.)

Exploring the internal world of body and mind

14:40 – 15:15

Takuya Sasaki (Tohoku Univ.)

Brain–Body Interactions Underlying Emotion, Memory, and Creativity

15:15 – 15:50

Ko Matsui (Tohoku Univ.)

Cellular symphony of emotions: astrocytic ion dynamics in anxiety, aggression, and fear

15:50 – 16:20

Coffee break

Chair: Takuya Sasaki (Tohoku Univ.)

16:20 – 16:55

Keiichi Kitajo (NIPS)

Understanding individual differences in the human mind through EEG network analysis and modeling

16:55 – 17:40

Sven Bestmann (UCL)

Naturalistic neuroimaging with optically–pumped magnetometers

Thursday, March 27, 2025

Chair: Hiroto Saito (Univ. Tokyo)

13:00 – 13:35

Masahiko Inami (Univ. Tokyo)

From JIZAI of the “Body” to JIZAI of the “Mind”

13:35 – 14:10

Masanori Hariyama (Tohoku Univ.)

Exploring Conversational Features with LLMs and Explainable AI for Communication Support

14:10 – 14:45

Yukie Nagai (Univ. Tokyo)

Unraveling Multimodal Signals in Neurodiverse Communication

14:45 – 14:50

Group photo

14:50 – 15:20

Coffee break

Chair: Keiichi Kitajo (National Institute for Physiological Sciences)

15:20 – 15:55

Kentaro Abe (Tohoku Univ.)

Analyzing avian communication to uncover the biological foundation of verbal and non–verbal communication

15:55 – 16:30

Fumitaka Homae (Tokyo Met. Univ.)

Vocal Cues as Honest Signals in Human Communication

16:30 – 17:15

Shinsuke Shimojo (Caltech)

“Flow” experiences, and formation of “Maemuki (positive)” attitude

18:30 – 20:30

Get together dinner

Friday, March 28, 2025

Chair: Amirmohammad Nasiri Kenari (Univ. Tokyo)

10:00 – 10:35

Ayuko Hoshino (Univ. Tokyo)

Exosomes: From Cellular Waste to Disease Biomarkers

10:35 – 11:10

Noriko Osumi (Tohoku Univ.)

Functions of motor proteins in cortical development

11:10 – 11:55

Alison E Lane (La Trobe Univ.)

A sensory view of the autistic mind: Implications for research and technologies promoting person–environment fit

11:55 – 13:00

Lunch

Chair: Fumitaka Homae (Tokyo Metropolitan University)

13:00 – 13:35

Motoaki Nakamura (Showa Univ.)

Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Exploring their Diverse Realities

13:35 – 14:10

Shin-ichiro Kumagaya (Univ. Tokyo)

Tōjisha–Kenkyū on Autism – Participatory Autism Research and Neurodiversity in Japan

14:10 – 14:30

Coffee break

Chair: Ayuko Hoshino (Univ. Tokyo)

14:30 – 15:05

Saku Hara (Tohoku Univ.)

Ethical Legal and Social Issues concerning the At–will Translator (Jizai–Hon–yaku–ki)

15:05 – 15:50

Wen–Sung Lai (Nat. Taiwan Univ.)

他山の石以て玉を攻むべし – Lessons from our journey in developing ‘Magic Pills’ for unmet needs in neuropsychiatric disorders

15:50 – 16:00

Closing remarks

Noriko Osumi (Tohoku Univ.)

Poster

Download [PDF]

Organizers

Ken–Ichiro Tsutsui
(Tohoku University)

Noriko Osumi
(Tohoku University)

Co–hosted by

• Neuro Global International Joint Graduate Program
• Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University
• Tohoku University School of Medicine
• Tohoku University Brain Science Center
• Moonshot Goal 9
• National Research Program for Neurological Disorders and Mental Health
• Multidisciplinary Frontier Brain and Neuroscience Discoveries 

Contact

Email: office*snlabsendai.org (change * to @)