Introducing the 2018 Field Team: Ryota Masuko

Ryota Masuko, working hard on a summer assignment in Liberia on an off day.

 Ryota was born and grew up in Saitama, Japan. He is the youngest member of my team came to the United States to study at Marshalltown Community College in Marshalltown, Iowa. Ryota has a younger brother, Shota, and a Shiba-Inu dog named Ryu that he misses back home.

Ryota (right) and his little brother, Shota.

Ryota began swimming at the age of 3, and sarted playing water polo at the age of 10. He also did two years of synchronized swimming in which he was the only male on the team. Because of his excellent talent in the water, we chose him to assist with in-water boat work.

Ryota, bottom photo, third from the right on his synchronized swimming team.

Ryota (left) and Matti (see future blog post) capturing a post-mating couple for sampling.

Ryota came to the U.S. in the fall of 2017 because he wanted flexibility in choosing his future, as universities in Japan require students to choose a major prior to their application and they are unable to change a major once they begin studies. He was searching for additional opportunities and to explore more possibilities for his career while improving his English language skills. Ryota is currently researching larger universities to transfer into to pursue further education in business and science.

Ryota playing with members of his host family.

Ryota joined the lab of Dr. Danielle Kness in spring 2018, working in husbandry of goldfish, frogs, snakes, lizards, cockroaches, tortoises and Mississippi green turtles. Additionally, he began training on molecular techniques such as DNA extractions. Ryota applied to work with Brie in order to have hands-on experience with endangered species, and has been invaluable in capturing post-mating couples. Ryota looks forward to seeing the mass-nesting events and assisting with blood sampling and ultrasound image collection. Ryota struggled at first with culture shock and eating new food, but he has enjoyed talking with his host mom and living so close to nature. Ryota hopes to stay in the United States when he finishes his education and start a family someday.

Ryota restraining an olive ridley sea turtle prior to ultrasound measurements.

Welcome, Ryota, thanks for your hard work and perseverance through seasickness!