Celebrating International Day of Women and Girls in Science with…
Miyu Maemura
BSc Food, Nutrition and Health (Dietetics Major) 2028
What excites you about science?
I enjoy studying science, especially physiology and nutrition, because it is directly connected to our everyday lives. What excites me most is learning how precisely and efficiently the human body functions, and how everything we eat can influence our body’s performance.
Even simple, everyday experiences can be explained through science. For example, eating instant ramen late at night may lead to a puffy face the next morning. This happens because the high sodium content causes the body to retain fluid in order to maintain homeostasis. Moments like this make science feel tangible, practical, and relevant.
I am also excited by how deep and limitless science is. Even a single physiological response involves multiple substances and interactions, revealing how complex the body truly is. There are also still many areas within nutrition and health sciences that remain unexplored. Knowing that there is always more to learn is what motivates me to continue studying science.
When did you realize science was for you?
I first discovered my interest in science during high school, when I realized that I genuinely enjoyed studying biology and chemistry. I was drawn to the fact that science is grounded in evidence and often offers clear, logical answers, which really resonated with how I like to think and learn.
That interest grew stronger once I entered university. Even within the sciences, I found myself particularly drawn to physiology and nutritional science rather than areas like microbiology or chemical kinetics. Despite having a heavy workload, especially during exam periods, studying physiology and nutrition remained enjoyable, and I was able to stay focused and engaged for longer periods of time. This consistent enjoyment of learning made me realize that science was the right path for me.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
As a future dietitian, I am still exploring and refining the area of practice I would like to pursue. One field that particularly interests me is pediatric critical care, such as working in the NICU or PICU, where I hope to provide both evidence-based nutritional care and compassionate, family-centered support during vulnerable moments in patients’ lives.
I also have a strong passion for social and public health nutrition. I am deeply interested in contributing to the establishment and further development of Canada’s school food system. Growing up in Japan, I fostered healthy eating habits and learned the social value of shared meals through Japan’s extensive school lunch. I believe many elements of this system could be adapted within the Canadian context. In the long term, I hope to help strengthen and expand the dietetics knowledge exchange between Japan and Canada.
Additionally, I aspire to pursue graduate studies and obtain a master’s degree. Whether my focus becomes more clinically or socially oriented, I see myself as a lifelong learner and would like to continuously grow, contribute, and explore the evolving field of health and nutrition science.
Tagged with: 2026, Dietetics, Equity Diversity Inclusion and Indigeneity, Food Nutrition and Health, Undergraduate, Women and Girls in Science