GYSS 2025: A Journey of Discovery, Connection, and Friendship
January 23, 2025
Xueting Shen
Attending the GYSS 2025 has been an incredible experience and a true highlight of my journey at ETH Zurich. Meeting Nobel Prize winners, Fields Medalists, and Turing Award recipients in person was truly inspiring. Each conversation with them left me deeply motivated by the passion they share for their research fields. What surprised me was how many Nobel Laureates have shifted their focus away from the work that earned them the Prize. Instead, they have embraced new challenges and are actively engaging with pressing global issues.
Among the many enriching sessions, I was particularly captivated by Steven Chu‘s talk. His multidisciplinary expertise in physics, chemistry, and environmental science has enabled him to tackle diverse scientific challenges. Beyond his research achievements, I was also deeply impressed by his involvement in policy and decision-making in environmental sustainability, demonstrating how scientists can effectively communicate with broader audiences to drive impactful change.
For me, the most meaningful part of any event is the people I meet along the way. What I cherished most at the summit were the connections and interactions with fellow young scientists from around the world. Through this event, I’ve made amazing friends, and these relationships are the most valuable takeaway from this unforgettable experience.
Matthew Maitra
The Global Young Scientists Summit (GYSS) 2025 was a rare chance to hear from leading scientists and connect with peers from different fields. Its focus on interdisciplinarity highlighted both its potential and its limits.
A panel on interdisciplinarity stood out, with Wendelin Werner pushing back against the usual praise. He argued it should be treated as a tool, not a goal: valuable in the right context but not always the best approach. His critique stirred thoughtful debate.
Luck in science was another recurring theme. Nobel laureates Tim Hunt, Richard Roberts, and Joseph Louis Ignarro shared stories of chance findings and unexpected collaborations that shaped their careers. All this showed just how often discovery depends on being open to the unexpected (and, in some cases, to being allowed to smoke in the lab).
Duncan Haldane’s talk on condensed matter physics, especially the aftermath of the fractional quantum Hall effect, sketched a clear path for where the field might head next. His ability to make tough ideas feel within reach hinted at the exciting future of quantum science.
Just as memorable were the peer connections: poster sessions sparked surprising conversations — about Cambodian central bank policy among other things — while wandering through Singapore with other attendees brought personal moments that deepened the experience.
GYSS 2025 offered fresh ideas, sharp debates, and new connections, while driving home the point that, of all our tools, luck might just be the most powerful.
