Since April 2020, Nagasaki University School of Medicine has established the Nagasaki University Medical Research Fund Scholarship (commonly known as the NUMF Fund) to promote deeper researcher-level exchanges with Leiden University (Netherlands) and the University of Würzburg (Germany), both of which have academic exchange agreements with our institution. This program provides financial support for travel and living expenses for stays of up to three months.

In fiscal year 2025, we welcomed Ms. Veronika Selzam, a young researcher from the University of Würzburg. Below is Veronica’s report on her two-month research stay at Nagasaki University.

Report on the Visit of Ms. Veronika Selzam

Through the NUMF exchange program I got the chance to join Prof. Fukuoka`s Lab at the Department of Pathology Informatics for six weeks in January and February 2026.

When I arrived, I was kindly welcomed by the lab with a welcoming dinner. At the beginning of my stay a project was already organised for me to start without the need to collect data first. My task was to create a machine learning pipeline to classify tissue infected by tuberculosis bacteria. I received regular teaching and valuable feedback to improve my coding skills and further the project. Attending daily pathology meetings broadened my knowledge in clinical pathology as well. I was quickly integrated in the team and got a grasp of the Japanese working culture and the daily life.

Overall, the organisation of the program was very good, the accomodation was organised and I always received very friendly help when needed.

On the weekends I explored Nagasaki and the surrounding area. In Nagasaki I visited Glover Garden, Mount Inasa, the Atomic Bomb Museum, Peace Park, Sōfuku-ji-, Kofukuji-Temple and various neighborhoods. Additionally, I went on trips to Arita, Unzen, Shimabara and Ioujima Island. I especially enjoyed the natural surroundings of Nagasaki and the warmer weather. Some of my highlights were attending the Nagasaki Lantern Festival which had magnificent views of Chinatown and taking part in a traditional tea ceremony.

I also got to enjoy the various food options like Ramen, Tonkatsu and Sushi around Nagasaki that I enjoyed very much. This exchange program was a very valuable program for me and I thank everyone who made this stay an incredible experience for me!

Welcome Dinner with the Pathology Informatics Lab

Working on the Project

With the colleagues

Visit Arita Porcelain Park

Weekend Trip to Unzen

At Myoken-dake, Unzen

Experiencing the Nagasaki Lantern Festival