Dear society member, first of all many thanks for the nominations, it is an honour for me to run the election for the ICS council. It has been 25 years since I started researching about the carotenoids. My first contact with the fascinating carotenoid science was during my undergraduate research at the National Institute for Amazonian Research in Manaus, Brazil, on the bioavailability of beta-carotene from a tropical palm fruit. From the Brazilian Amazon I have moved to Japan, and during my post-doctoral years at the National Agricultural Research Organization, in Tsukuba, I have worked on the bioavailability and metabolism of fucoxanthin and other xanthophylls. My dedication to carotenoid studies continues until now, as Associate Professor at Kagawa University, with both a research line on carotenoid bioavailability and laboratory practicals to undergraduate students. 

I have been member of the ICS since 2008, when I have attended the 15^th International Symposium on Carotenoids in Okinawa. At that occasion I have witnessed the strong support from ICS to students and young researchers through travel awards and prizes, something I have also seen at the 1^st VICC, in the shape of presentation awards. I believe that giving support to young researchers and students, especially those in developing countries, is of tremendous importance. Receiving an award from an academic society can be life changing for a young researcher, and for sure will encourage the formation of a new generation of enthusiastic carotenoid researchers. For that reason, I think that the time has come for me to support new and young researchers through the ICS.

My goals if elected as council member are to work towards the objectives of the International Carotenoid Society, especially providing support to new and younger carotenoid researchers, and also promoting cooperation in carotenoid science across fields and geographical regions. I will dedicate myself and in cooperation with the council will work towards making the ICS even more attractive for all generations of researchers.

Lina Yonekura
Associate Professor
Faculty of Agriculture, Kagawa UniversitY
2393 Ikenobe, Miki-cho, Kita-gun, Kagawa 761-0705, JapaN
Tel +81 (0)76 891 3105 
Fax +81 (0)76 891 3021