RISA SAWADA, Ph.D.
Science Communicator
Science communicator with a background in education (B.A.) and biology (Ph.D.). Experienced in public outreach, science policy, and education. Worked as a museum tour guide, public relations specialist, and Government Affairs Coordinator, translating S&T policies into accessible reports. Passionate about marine education, exploring aquariums worldwide to study best practices in science communication. Skilled in bridging science, policy, and public engagement.
Freelance Science Communicator
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Deliver guest lectures on science communication for graduate students and professionals
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Develop interactive exhibits and science outreach programs
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Develop and facilitate workshops on marine biology, aquarium education, and hands-on science
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Develop museum and aquarium guidebooks or interpretive materials
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Organize, moderate, and manage study groups on science communication
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Conduct independent research on the diversity of science communication communities in Japan
Relevant Experience
Feb 2024 - Present
Jun 2020 – Aug 2023
2023年1月〜2024年6月
Government Affairs Coordinator
Leading IT & Technology Company | Washington D.C.
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Research S&T policies, tracking legislative and regulatory trends
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Aggregate policy information and produce clear, concise reports
Science & Technology Public Relations Specialist
National Research Institute | Ibaraki, Japan
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Creating outreach contents for Website, magazine, and video.
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Planning and executing events both onsite and online.
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Collecting and analyzing information for research papers.
Aquarium Education & Operations Lead
International Theme Park & Aquarium | Aichi, Japan
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Planning and implementing of educational programs for children
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Making attractive presentations of marine animal to the general public
Activities
Apr 2021 – Present
Committee Chair of Science Communication Study Group
Management of Study group with researchers who lead science communication
Apr 2019 – Mar 2021
Certificate of Communication in Science and Technology Education and Research Program (CoSTEP)
Conducted a comprehensive survey of information on the science communication community that exists in Japan
Apr 2013 – Mar 2018
Certificate of Humanware Innovation Program for Leading Graduate Schools
Published a paper in the interdisciplinary research with engineering researchers.
Education
Sep 2019 | Ph.D. in Science
Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, Osaka
Topic: "Flexibility of Pigment Cell Behavior Enables Robustness of Skin Pattern Formation"
Mar 2013 | Bachelor of Education
Faculty of Education, Aichi University of Education, Aichi, Japan
Achievements
[Academic Papers]
Sawada R et al. (2018). Flexibility of pigment cell behavior permits the robustness of skin pattern formation
Genes to Cells, Volume 23, Issue 7, Pages 537-545,DOI: 10.1111/gtc.12596
Watanabe M, Sawada R et al. (2016). The physiological characterization of Connexin41.8 and Connexin39.4, which are involved in the stripe pattern formation of zebrafish
The Journal of Biological Chemistry, Volume 291, Issue 3, Pages 1053-1063, DOI: 10.1074/jbc.M115.673129
Urai K, Sawada R et al. (2015). Design and control of a ray-mimicking soft robot based on morphological features for adaptive deformation
Artificial Life and Robotics, Volume 20, Issue 3, Pages 237-243, DOI:10.1007/s10015-015-0216-y
[Discussion Paper]
Tani A, Sawada R et al. (2022). A Study of the Job Function and Career Development of Science Communicators
GRIPS Discussion Papers, Report No. 22-01, DOI: 10.24545/00001873 (in Japanese)
[Awards]
Best Presentation Award, 23rd Symposium of the Society for Small Fish Research, 2nd Satellite Symposium of the Society for Small Fish Research: Insects vs. Sakana that have
returned, Yamanashi, September 2017.
Best Poster Award, Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research on Innovative Areas "Generation of Order by Crosstalk between Moving Cells and Fields," 3rd Meeting of Young Scientists,
Tochigi, November 2013.