 |
|
September 26, 2005 Vol.
77, no. 5F
 |
| ME professor and Cheryl and John
Neerhout Jr. Distinguished Professor Masayoshi Tomizuka received
his B.S. and M.S. degrees from Keio University in 1968 and 1970,
respectively, and his Ph.D. from MIT in 1974. He joined the Berkeley
faculty in 1974. Tomizuka’s research covers control theory
and its applications to various mechanical systems. (Photo
credit: Peg Skorpinski)
|
Professor
Minute with ME professor Masayoshi Tomizuka
What first inspired
you to go into engineering?
I attended a private school in Japan called Keio Gijuku, which begins
with elementary school and continues through to graduate school. I entered
Keio at the elementary level and moved up through the school system
without any further entrance examinations. When I was finishing high
school, I had the option of either medical school or engineering. My
first choice was the Keio Medical School, one of the best medical schools
in Japan, but my father told me that it would take too long to become
financially independent as a physician and that he was old. He asked
me to go to the engineering school instead. I did not argue with him
and followed his wish.
To date, what has been the most memorable moment in your career
and why?
The most memorable moment in my career was my first research presentation
at MIT as a first-year graduate student. Ever since I was in elementary
school, I have had my upper two front teeth crowned. While I was eating
a sandwich for lunch on the day of my first research presentation, I
accidentally bit into a hard vegetable piece and lost the two crowns.
Giving a presentation without two front teeth was a tough act for a
first-year international graduate student.
Whom do you most admire?
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. He was a true genius. During his short life
of 35 years, he composed well over 600 musical pieces, which have enriched
the lives of countless numbers of people.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I have a long list of to-do’s that cover house and yard maintenance.
I wish I could clear the list.
If you would like us
to feature your favorite professor, please e-mail his or her name to
engnews@coe.berkeley.edu.
|
|
