To Future Lab Members

Hello, everyone at Setsunan University Faculty of Pharmacy. I am Masato Otsuka, the head of the "Creative Learning Lab."

As your lab life is about to begin, you must be seriously thinking about your future, with great expectations like, "What kind of research can I do?" and "Where is the right place for me?"

To you who have opened this page, I have something to convey. Our "Creative Learning Lab" is not just a place to acquire knowledge and skills. It is the **"best playground" and a "serious training ground"** to cultivate **"creativity,"** which is indispensable for navigating this unpredictable era, together with the best colleagues.

Why is "Creative Learning" important now?

In today's rapidly changing world with the evolution of AI and healthcare, knowledge once considered "correct" is no longer enough to overcome the challenges that continuously arise. What is truly required of future pharmacists and researchers is the ability to identify problems independently, explore solutions from diverse perspectives, and create new value—in other words, "creativity."

In this lab, we prioritize creating an environment where you can acquire "the ability to think deeply" and "the ability to collaborate," skills that will be useful no matter what field you pursue after graduation.

Welcome to a Lab that Embraces "Failure"

Research is never a solitary endeavor. That's why, in our lab, we value **"psychological safety"** above all else as our foundation.

"Will I be ridiculed if I ask such a basic question?" "What if my idea is considered outlandish...?"

My promise to you, as the head of this lab, is that you will never feel such anxieties. Feel free to make many mistakes. Engage in serious discussions with your peers.

In a psychologically safe environment, failures are not deductions but valuable learning opportunities that lead to future success. Deepen your thinking through dialogue with colleagues who have different personalities and strengths, and repeatedly challenge yourselves without fear of failure. I am confident that this cycle of proactive learning will be the best engine for your significant growth.

Research Themes Begin with Your "Interesting!"

The doors of our lab are open to all possibilities in pharmacy. We do not impose specific research themes. Let's discuss and create research themes together, starting from your pure curiosity.

For example:

• Exploring innovative drug discovery targets
• Utilizing AI in drug discovery and informatics
• Pharmacokinetic analysis contributing to personalized medicine
• DDS research that dramatically improves patient quality of life
• Exploring new roles for pharmacists in community healthcare

These are just a few examples. Please feel free to bring me any theme that you genuinely find "interesting!" or "want to delve into!"

We Want to Create the Future with Students Like You

No special skills or experience are required. What we value most is your "enthusiasm."

• Those who value "Why?"
• Those who love learning new knowledge and skills
• Those who enjoy collaborating and growing with peers
• Those who are not afraid of failure and can persevere in challenges

"I'm not yet clear on what I want to do, but I want to achieve something in my university life." We warmly welcome students with such passionate aspirations.

As an instructor, I will not teach from above, but will be a **"partner"** running alongside you, believing in each individual's potential and fully supporting their growth. When you face challenges, I want to worry with you, and when you discover something, I want to share the joy with you.

Please feel free to visit our lab. Let's create the future of pharmacy and your own future together in this lab. I sincerely look forward to meeting you in the lab.