MeioScool Held for the First Time in Japan

From October 6th to 10th, 2025, Kumamoto University hosted MeioScool 2025 Japan at the Aitsu Marine Station, part of the Center for Water Cycle, Marine Environment, and Disaster Management (CWMD). This marked the first time that MeioScool has been held in Japan, bringing together 29 participants from 9 countries, including students, faculty, and researchers from universities, research institutions, and museums. The program was led by Prof. Motohiro Shimanaga from CWMD, with significant contributions from Dr. Daniela Zeppilli of IFREMER (France) and Dr. Hidetaka Nomaki of JAMSTEC (Japan), all of whom provided invaluable resources and expertise. MeioScool is an international program dedicated to the study of meiofauna—tiny organisms that live between grains of sediment in the ocean, ranging from several tens of micrometers to 1 millimeter in size. These organisms play a crucial role in marine ecosystems, and the school aims to increase understanding of their diversity and ecology.

A Rich Blend of Theory and Hands-On Learning

MeioScool is known for combining expert lectures with field and laboratory work, allowing participants to gain both theoretical knowledge and practical experiences. On October 7th, Dr. Pedro Martinez Arbizu from the Senckenberg Nature Museum (Germany) delivered an engaging lecture on copepods, a type of meiofauna. He discussed their taxonomy, ecology, and the latest research findings, followed by a lively Q&A session.

Later in the afternoon, participants went to the shore to collect sediment samples from the intertidal zone. They gathered samples from muddy and sandy areas, which they then analyzed and sorted back in the laboratory. This hands-on experience helps participants develop their skills in sample processing, microscopy, and marine biodiversity research.

The Perfect Location for Marine Research

The Aitsu Marine Station is located on Maejima Island, part of the Amakusa Islands in Kumamoto. This area is known for its rich marine environment, ideal for marine study. As Prof. Shimanaga explained, the unique tidal range—up to 4 meters—creates varying sediment conditions, which helps enhance nutrient mixing and contributes to the diverse habitats essential for studying meiofauna.

Participants Share Their Expectations and Excitement

For many participants, MeioScool 2025 offered a rare opportunity to interact with leading experts from a wide range of disciplines. One participant, a master's student from Germany, shared that the event expanded her research perspective. Although her focus is on coral ecosystems, the lectures on copepods introduced new ideas that may complement her studies. She was also excited about the hands-on experience with advanced microscopy and imaging technologies.

A faculty member from the Philippines also spoke about the value of collaborating across fields. He hopes to bring new research ideas to the Philippines, especially in areas not yet explored there, and looks forward to building connections with international researchers.

An International Initiative of Aitsu Marine Station, Kumamoto University

MeioScool 2025 Japan is one example of how Aitsu Marine Station, as a key research hub of Kumamoto University, is actively contributing to global scientific research and fostering international cooperation in marine and environmental studies. Through initiatives like MeioScool, the station continues to support cutting-edge research and training in marine biodiversity, providing a platform for experts and students from around the world to collaborate and advance scientific knowledge.

About MeioScool
Started in 2013, MeioScool is an international initiative aimed at improving understanding of meiofauna, small organisms that are vital to marine eｃosystems. The program helps bring together experts in taxonomy, ecology, molecular biology, and microscopy to train a new generation of scientists. The MeioScool 2025 is part of the “Massive mEIOfauna DiscoverY of new Species of our oceans and SEAs ” (MEIODYSSEA) project, supported by the Ocean Shot Research Grant Program, implemented by the Ocean Policy Research Institute of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation with funding from the Nippon Foundation, which aims to discover new meiofauna species in our oceans.