Friendly Lab Guardian

"Hisako is absolutely our lab hero. She joined us in 2021 during the crazy times of the COVID-19 pandemic and has been an incredible support ever since. From the moment she walked into our lab, Hisako took on every challenge with a smile. Whether she is prepping reagents, handling DNA work, purifying proteins, or running electrophysiology experiments, she does it all effortlessly. It is like having a superhero on our team—she keeps everything running smoothly, allowing us to focus on our research without any hiccups. But Hisako's awesomeness does not stop there. She is the one who keeps our lab spotless, making sure every corner is clean and organized. Thanks to her, our workspace is always safe and comfortable for everyone. She is also fantastic at setting up and maintaining our lab rules, ensuring we all follow best practices and stay productive. What really makes Hisako stand out is her amazing personality. She is always positive, friendly, and ready to help anyone who needs it. Whether it is lending a hand with experiments or offering a listening ear to a stressed-out graduate student, Hisako is always there. She has built strong, supportive relationships with everyone in the lab, creating a warm and welcoming environment where we all feel like part of a big, happy family. In all the years I have worked across six different labs, I have never met someone as dedicated and uplifting as Hisako. She not only boosts our research capabilities but also makes our daily work life so much more enjoyable with her upbeat attitude and unwavering support. For all these reasons, I am thrilled to nominate Hisako Ikeda for the Lab Heroes Awards™ 2024. She is truly a gem in our team and deserves to be recognized for her outstanding contributions and the positive energy she brings to our lab every day."

Nominated by Hideaki Kato, Hideaki Kato Lab, The University of Tokyo, Japan