On October 11, 2025, I lost not just an academic mentor, but a person who had become family. Prof. Kazuhisa Seta was 55 years old โ far too young, far too soon. The news shattered me in ways I still struggle to put into words. How do you say goodbye to someone who shaped not only your career, but the very person you've become?
Our Journey Together
I joined his laboratory as a bachelor student, uncertain about my path. From that very first meeting, he saw something in me that I couldn't yet see in myself. He took me under his wings, nurturing my curiosity and gently guiding me toward research.
When I got married, the global pandemic made it impossible for my biological parents to travel from Benin to Japan. Without hesitation, Prof. Seta and his wife stepped in, standing in their place at my wedding. That day, he wasn't just my professor โ he was my father figure, beaming with pride as if I were his own son.
When my mother finally visited Japan two years later, he welcomed her into his home with the warmth of an old friend. They shared meals, laughter, and stories, transcending language barriers with kindness alone.
He celebrated the birth of my children, each milestone met with genuine joy. We spent countless hours visiting each other's homes โ BBQs in the summer, dinners that stretched into the night, our families growing closer with each passing season.
More Than a Mentor
Over the years, Prof. Seta became more than an academic advisor. He was a life mentor, an ideal to pursue. He taught me not only how to conduct research, but how to live with integrity, how to balance ambition with humility, how to lead with compassion.
His guidance extended far beyond the laboratory walls. In moments of doubt, he offered wisdom. In moments of success, he reminded me to stay grounded. In moments of failure, he helped me find the courage to try again.
He was HUMAN โ with the biggest heart I have ever known.
His Legacy Lives On
His legacy will be preserved in everything I do. In every student I mentor, I will carry forward his patience. In every challenge I face, I will remember his resilience. In every success I achieve, I will honor his belief in me.
Prof. Seta showed me that being a great researcher means first being a great human being. That lesson โ his greatest gift โ will guide me for the rest of my life.
Cherished Memories





