Disclaimer: machine translated by DeepL which may contain errors.
Eggs of Science
A Graduate Student Who Will “Start in Earnest Tomorrow”
Masahiro Hoshino (Department of Physics)
Birthplace: Aichi Prefecture
Alma Mater: Okazaki Senior High School
Faculty of Science, University of Tokyo, Department of Physics
Q. What were you interested in when you were in junior high school ?
A. Science, of course.
I wasn’t involved in extracurricular activities outside of club activities, but I remember reading Newton, a popular science magazine, quite often. I was a typical teenager who enjoyed looking at cells under a microscope and playing with electric circuits.
Q. Do you have a favorite motto?
A. “Admiration is the furthest emotion from understanding.”
I’m quite competitive. When I see someone impressive, I push myself to surpass them. This line, spoken by Aizen in the manga BLEACH, perfectly captures that mindset.
Q. What inspired you to pursue studies in the Faculty of Science?
A. I fell into the world of physics.
As a freshman, I was deeply moved by mechanics and thermodynamics. During summer vacation, I even struggled through textbooks like Thermodynamics: A Modern Perspective by Professor Haruaki Tasaki (now at Gakushuin University). Initially, I had considered studying engineering, but physics completely captivated me.
Q. What do you find most enjoyable about research and academia?
A. The ability to try out different ideas.
As you study more, countless research ideas begin to emerge. Most never lead to published results, but the process of trial and error itself is enjoyable. In essence, it may be similar to the way we played as children.
Q. If you were to conduct research in a different field, what would it be?
A. Something with economic impact.
Recently, I’ve come to feel that creating industries to support society is extremely meaningful. Areas like quantum computing and other deep-tech fields are attracting investment. I’d like to see fundamental science contribute to these areas as well.
Q. What are your hobbies?
A. Red pandas.
I love watching red panda videos and photos, and I often go to the zoo to see them. With an annual pass to Ueno Zoo, you can drop by anytime after classes—it’s highly recommended.
Q. If you could be reborn as an animal, what would it be?
A. A red panda.
They use their tails as pillows, look blissful when sleeping, and since they mostly eat bamboo, they don’t smell bad. If they have siblings, they play and frolic together, which looks like great fun. Though, I doubt I’d be able to do physics.
Q. What is your dream for the future?
A. To create a socially meaningful enterprise.
Considering both my expertise in physics and my determination, starting a business could be one possible path. I’m not yet sure if I’m suited for it or what exactly I’d like to pursue, but it feels like a dream worth having.
Q. Are you a morning person or a night owl?
A. Morning in summer, night in winter.
I adjust my schedule so that waking up feels comfortable depending on the temperature. But often, when I’m working at night and start feeling sleepy, I end up thinking, “I can just work harder tomorrow,” and go to bed early.
Q. How do you relax from your daily studies and research?
A. Brewing coffee.
I’ve set up the perfect environment for brewing coffee both in my lab and at home. What started as a way to relax has recently become an obsession—I’ve even been worrying about adjusting the mineral content of the water. Maybe I should take a step back.
Research Notes: Diagrams drawn when calculating entanglement entropy using conformal field theory.
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