Okayama University: Graduate Student Chengyu Shi Selected for International Selective Training Course Hosted by European Society of Cardiology (ESC)

May 1, 2026 National University Corporation Okayama University https://www.okayama-u.ac.jp/ ◆ Overview Chengyu Shi, a doctoral student at the Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University (Headquarters: Kita-ku, Okayama City; President: Yasutomo Nasu), under the supervision of Professor Keiji Naruse and Associate Professor Ken Takahashi of the Department of Systems Physiology, Academic Research Institute for Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, has been selected as a participant for the "ESC Fund Basic Cardiovascular Science Course 2026," an international selective training program organized by the European Society of Cardiology (ESC). This course, established by the European Society of Cardiology (ESC), one of the world's largest cardiovascular societies, is a fully funded international selective program aimed at fostering basic cardiovascular researchers, a field experiencing a global decline. Up to 50 doctoral students (PhD / MD / MD-PhD) and young researchers within five years of obtaining their doctorate are selected based on merit from around the world. All tuition, travel, accommodation, and research training expenses are fully covered by the ESC Fund and the Novo Nordisk Foundation. The program is highly competitive internationally, with only a very limited number of participants selected from Asia each year. The program consists of a one-week intensive on-site lecture series (Genetics, Molecular Biology, Preclinical Models, Regenerative Medicine, Research Methodology, Regulatory Compliance, etc.) to be held in Nice, France, from June 10-14, 2026, and a two-week hands-on research training session to be conducted at major European research institutions between July and December 2026. Ms. Shi is engaged in verifying the effects of antiarrhythmic drugs using human heart-on-a-chip technology in the Systems Physiology laboratory. This laboratory is actively involved in international research for the development and application of biomimetic systems (Microphysiological Systems; MPS), aiming for applications in drug discovery, toxicity evaluation, and personalized medicine. Through participation in this course, Ms. Shi will directly learn the latest methodologies and thinking in basic cardiovascular research from leading European researchers and gain practical experience at European research institutions. This is expected to lead to a further expansion of Okayama University's international collaborative research network. We look forward to the continued efforts of Okayama University, an open regional core and distinctive research university, and Ms. Shi. ○ Comment from Ms. Shi I am deeply honored to have been selected for the ESC Basic Cardiovascular Science Course. I hope to learn basic research methodologies in a European research environment and apply them to my future research. ○ Comment from Associate Professor Ken Takahashi (Supervisor) I am very pleased that Ms. Shi has been selected for this course after international competition. This is a valuable opportunity to directly experience the forefront of cardiovascular research, bridging basic science and clinical practice, and I expect her to bring back her experience to contribute to the research and education at our university. This is a significant step towards nurturing next-generation researchers and internationalizing our university. ◆ References ・ESC Fund Basic Cardiovascular Science Course 2026 https://www.escardio.org/about-us/our-partnerships/philanthropic-partners/esc-fund-basic-science-course/ ・Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences https://www.mdps.okayama-u.ac.jp/ ・Okayama University Academic Research Institute for Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences (Medicine) Department of Systems Physiology https://websv.okayama-u.ac.jp/phy2/?%2F Okayama University Shikata Campus (Kita-ku, Okayama City) ◆ Contact for this matter Associate Professor Ken Takahashi, Department of Systems Physiology, Academic Research Institute for Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences (Medicine), Okayama University 〒700-8558 2-5-1 Shikata-cho, Kita-ku, Okayama City, Okayama Prefecture, Okayama University Shikata Campus E-mail: takah-k2◎okayama-u.ac.jp *@ has been replaced with ◎ https://www.okayama-u.ac.jp/tp/topix/topix_id806.html Okayama University Hospital New Medical Research and Development Center 〒700-8558 2-5-1 Shikata-cho, Kita-ku, Okayama City Please inquire about relevant cases from the URL below http://shin-iryo.hospital.okayama-u.ac.jp/ph_company/

Back to Newsroom (129)