James Godde, associate professor of biology, is spending his fall 2007 sabbatical in the Land of the Rising Sun. Godde and his family left for Japan after the conclusion of the spring semester, and they will return shortly before Christmas. He, his wife and his two sons were able to squeeze in some travel time during the summer break.  They successfully toured China, Singapore, Cambodia, Thailand and Myanmar in the short span of three weeks.

Godde is no stranger to Japan. He accompanied Don Capener, associate professor of business, Kristin Larson, assistant professor of psychology and a group of science and business students on a 10-day trip to Japan in 2006.

Godde professes both a personal and professional interest in Japan. On the professional end, Japan has a reputation for technological superiority, which makes it the ideal setting for a molecular biologist. He also had the opportunity to work with a former colleague from his days of postdoctoral research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Godde says that he is currently writing an article about his work in chromosome structure, and plans to write a more extensive piece after he has completed his research.

He also admits to a personal interest in Japanese culture.  This cultural investment led him to take Japanese language courses at Monmouth College. Additionally, Godde says that he is keeping a daily record of his life in Japan, and would eventually like to work this material into a book. 

Despite the physical distance, Monmouth isn’t far from Godde’s mind. He says that he is already planning for next semester’s courses, including a Global Perspectives course, “The World Impact of East Asian Science.” 

Godde has kept in touch with students through Facebook, and, he said, “I have posted all of my pictures online and continue to get comments on them from current students at MC, as well as recent alums.”

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