Ms. Michiko Kyokan
Country : Japan
· Employement
- Institute for Advancement of Clinical and Translational Science, Kyoto University Hospital, Japan
- Médecins Sans Frontières Japan (consultant)
· Diplomas
- MSc in International Public Health, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, UK
- Associate Degree in Nursing, Tokai University Junior College of Nursing and Medical Technology, Japan
· Biography
Michiko is a registered nurse with a strong academic and practical background in medical innovation, as well as field experience with Médecins Sans Frontières. She studied qualitative and quantitative medical research methods at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine and has applied and honed that expertise through multiple research projects.
Michiko worked as a medical innovation manager acting as a major advocate of the Learn-Do-Teach approach to innovation in Médecins Sans Frontières between 2015 and 2020. Since May 2020, she has been a project manager for medical device research and development in the Institute for Advancement of Clinical and Translational Science, Kyoto University Hospital, Japan.
· Why is this PhD important for you (for your career, organization or country)
Prior to enrolling to the PhD, I was involved in medical device development projects for newborns in low-resource settings. Technology development alone cannot reduce the high mortality rate of newborns. At the same time, medicine needs technology innovation to improve neonatal care. Technology development needs to be evidence-based. I strongly believe that the PhD will help me to build the capacity to contribute to the evidence-based medical device innovation in global health.
· Why did you choose our PhD?
I chose the PhD program in Institute of Global Health at University of Geneva as it had strong links to the major actors of global health such as the World Health Organization, Médecins Sans Frontières and reputable academia. The institute’s multi-disciplinary approach was another motivating factor for me as I believed it enhanced the quality of the research project that I was proposing. It was also a fortunate that I met my supervisor, Prof. Riccardo E. Pfister, who has been fascinated with my research topic since the first contact.