2017 Osaka University North American Alumni Association Lecture and Annual Alumni Reunion held

With the support of the Osaka University Federation of Alumni Associations, the Osaka University North American Alumni Association Lecture and Annual Alumni Reunion was held by the OU North American Alumni Association and the North American Center for Academic Initiatives at Miyako Hybrid Hotel in Torrance, California on Saturday, September 30, 2017. This event was held in 2 parts: a lecture open to the public and the annual alumni reunion. One hundred and two individuals attended the open lecture, while 40 individuals attended the alumni reunion.

The theme of the open lecture was "Secrets to Health in an Aging Society: 'Intestinal Flora' and 'Thianine.'" After greetings from Osaka University North American Alumni Association Chair ONOE Yuki, Dr. KAJI Izumi (Post-Doc Researcher in Digestive Tract Physiology at the UCLA School of Medicine, VA Healthcare System/BBRI) gave a lecture entitled "Chemosensors in the gut - Working together with gut bacteria to keep you healthy."After that, YONEDA Yukio (Professor Emeritus at Kanazawa University) delivered a speech entitled "Theanine - a gift from green tea."

Both lectures were on familiar topics and were very easy to understand, garnering high praise from attendees and a lively Q&A session following the lectures. Details of these lecture will be uploaded to the North American Alumni Association Facebook page in the near future, and will be covered on the North American Alumni Association Podcast " Machikane FM " in the coming weeks, so please visit these websites.

The Annual Alumni Reunion began with greetings from Ms. ONOE and North American Alumni Association Office Director HASEGAWA Kazuhiko, and continued with a message from Osaka University Federation of Alumni Associations Chair KUMAGAI Nobuaki, general meeting, introduction of current events at OU from Executive Vice President KAWAHARA Genta, self-introductions from attendees, a recent report from Machikane FM, announcement of the results of the 2017 Intercollegiate Golf Tournament, the annual "OU Quiz," and photo session. The event was a success from start to finish, providing for some lively, friendly exchange between attendees.