Saisrinivas Gudivada

Sri, please tell us a bit about yourself.

I'm a senior at the University of California at Berkeley majoring in Physics. My previous research at Berkeley involved working on 2D material synthesis and characterization, which aligned well with my work over the summer of 2023.

Thanks. can you tell us a bit about your IRTE research experience?

I worked with my mentor, Dr. Toshikaze Kariyado, for ten weeks this summer at the National Institute of Material Science in Tsukuba, Japan (which is about an hour away from Tokyo).

What did your research project entail?

My research focused on describing the electronic structure of 2D heterostructures. Specifically, my work aimed to determine if making larger structures while keeping a consistent chemical composition could induce more tunability in properties like bandgap. Thus, exploring this avenue could advise experimentalists looking to build materials with specific properties for use in many fields, from biosensing to commercial electronics to quantum computing.

You lived in Tsukuba for 10 weeks. Can you tell us about the laboratory and your experience living in Tsukuba.

Tsukuba is a very serene suburb that's akin in many respects to the suburbs in America. The city has many shops and large retail chains for regular-day conveniences like groceries, pharmacies, convenience stores, and home décor. However, there are a few key differences. For instance, while cars are a major form of transport, like in America, public transportation has a far greater presence in Japan. As part of the summer program, all interns get bikes. They are a great way to travel around Tsukuba since almost all destinations are easily accessible by bike in less than 10 to 15 minutes from Ninomiya House (where interns stay). Our living arrangements were well-maintained, spacious, and well-furnished. Regarding the lab environment, it depends on the project you work on. My research was purely computing-based, so I only worked in an office

Please tell us about your weekend travel experiences.

Generally, we split off into groups when visiting places in Japan. Since lab work is like a 9-5 job and shops close at 8 p.m., we used to travel only on weekends. Regardless, we all decided to meet on specific days for group trips to other cities such as Nikko, Osaka, and Kyoto. When traveling to cities around Tokyo, subway and bus are the most convenient forms of transport and will take you to your destination in a reasonable amount of time. For travel to cities further away like Kyoto or Osaka, as previously mentioned, bullet trains are the best form of transport and will get you to your location within one or two hours from Tokyo. I visited many fascinating places, but for me, Hiroshima stood out the most. The sheer vibrancy and resilience displayed throughout the city served as a testament to the tenacious resilience of humanity to grow from trauma. Regardless, traveling in groups was delightful and helped enrich the experience of exploring Japan.  

Can you share any overall impressions of your experience?

The IRTE/NNCI Japan REU is an incredible program that pushes you scientifically and socially. You not only do quality research but also interact with people in Japan and researchers from around the world. Communicating with others in Japan can be challenging, but the people are very receptive and understanding. Given the numerous cultural experiences available, there's always something to explore and learn. Overall, this REU program is an excellent opportunity to push your scientific and social skills, making it an exquisite summer research experience.