NHK's 7 o'clock news opened with a long interview with Dr. Obokata. It was full of high praise, yet dreadfully sexist. It is hard to believe they could be so obnoxious in the 21st century. They were astounded that she likes to wear nice clothes and that she is just an "ordinary girl."
She said that during the long years of rejection she often cried at night, which may have contributed to the sexism. She is honest, anyway. She seems like a nice person, especially for someone from Haaaavard. (Speaking from my own bias: you can always tell a Harvard man, but you cannot tell him much.) CNN and others reported this, ascribing the research to her co-author Vacanti instead of her. I complained. - Jed
