In November 2025, during the final edition of the long-standing public dialogue series Treffpunkt Science City at ETH Zurich, I had the opportunity to listen to a deeply personal and moving talk by Daniel Albertin, the mayor responsible for the small mountain village of Brienz in the canton of Graubünden. His story stayed with many in the audience that afternoon. Today it resonates even more strongly. The residents of Brienz can finally return to their homes after more than a year of evacuation. The danger of a major rockfall has eased for now. It is a moment of joy for the community and for the authorities who carried this responsibility.

When a mountain begins to move

Albertin opened his talk with a simple yet powerful question: What does a mayor do when his entire village must leave its homes?

Brienz is a small village of around 80 residents in the Swiss canton of Graubünden. For generations the mountain above the village moved slowly. A few centimetres per year felt normal to those who lived there. Monitoring began around the year 2000 to observe the slope. The situation changed in 2017 when the speed of the landslide suddenly increased. Movement that once measured six or seven centimetres accelerated to forty centimetres per year. Later it reached more than two metres annually.

Scientists and authorities realised that something unusual was happening. Beneath the mountain lies a massive sliding layer around 150 metres deep. Millions of cubic metres of rock move slowly across this surface. Over time, measurements, drilling projects and geological studies helped experts understand the scale of the phenomenon.

Researchers from ETH Zurich played an important role in analysing this complex situation. Using advanced computer simulations and hazard modelling, scientists helped authorities better understand how the mountain might behave and what risks the village could face.

Still, knowledge does not remove uncertainty. It only helps people prepare.

The difficult decision to evacuate

Albertin described the moment when theory turned into reality. In 2023 authorities ordered the first evacuation of Brienz. Residents had to leave their homes within a strict deadline. The mayor walked through the village with local firefighters to confirm that everyone had gone.

A place filled with familiar faces suddenly felt empty. Closed shutters replaced daily life. For Albertin it was one of the most difficult moments of his public service.

A massive rockfall soon followed. Nearly two million cubic metres of debris rushed down the slope and stopped about fifty metres before the village school building. The evacuation had been the correct decision.

Scientific modelling helped guide these critical decisions. Jordan Aaron, an expert in engineering geology at ETH Zurich, ran thousands of simulations using a computer model he developed to assess how far and how fast a potential rockfall could travel. The results were incorporated into the risk assessment used by authorities in Graubünden and the municipality of Albula/Alvra when deciding whether evacuation was necessary.

A second evacuation began in 2024 as the situation remained uncertain. Residents lived away from their homes for more than a year. Some families found temporary housing elsewhere. Children moved to different schools. The community learned to live with waiting.

Science, monitoring and difficult choices

Throughout the crisis, cooperation between scientists, engineers and local authorities proved essential. Monitoring systems track the movement of the slope day and night. Sensors measure ground displacement and provide early warning if conditions change.

Another important contribution came from the research of Johan Gaume, professor of Alpine Mass Movements at ETH Zurich and the WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research SLF. Together with his team, Gaume developed simulation software to estimate how far landslides and rock avalanches could travel. Shortly before the major rockfall in 2023, his team produced a blind prediction of where the sliding mass might come to rest. When the event occurred, the outcome closely matched the model’s forecast. The result provided rare empirical confirmation of the model’s accuracy.

Such research highlights how scientific expertise can support communities facing natural hazards. Data, simulations, and field observations help decision-makers evaluate risks and prepare for events that cannot be controlled but can sometimes be anticipated.

Albertin spoke with great respect about the role of research and scientific advice. Experts from universities and geological institutes worked closely with cantonal authorities and the municipality.

A major technical solution also emerged. Engineers constructed a drainage tunnel designed to reduce water pressure inside the mountain. Early results show that the movement of the landslide has slowed significantly. What once moved more than two metres per year now moves only a few centimetres.

Even so, Albertin emphasised caution. Technical structures can stabilise a slope for decades or perhaps longer. No solution can control nature forever.

Between staying and starting again

One of the most sensitive questions concerns the future of the village. Some residents want to remain in Brienz and rebuild their lives there. Others prefer to start again somewhere else.

Authorities therefore created an additional option. Residents who do not wish to return permanently can move to a new location with financial support before disaster strikes. This preventive relocation model recognises that safety and peace of mind mean different things to different families.

Albertin explained that both choices deserve respect. Those who stay must feel that their home still has a future. Those who leave must receive support and dignity in their decision.

A day of return

Today the story of Brienz enters a new chapter. Geological assessments show that the immediate threat of a major rockfall has decreased. The movement of the slope has slowed to millimetres per year. Authorities have lifted the evacuation order.

For many people the moment is emotional. Some homes reopen after months of silence. Others remain closed for now while families consider their next steps. Life does not return overnight. Communities need time to rebuild routines, restore services and rediscover the rhythm of daily life.

Albertin described it as a day of joy for the people of Brienz and for the authorities who guided the village through years of uncertainty.

Lessons from a mountain village

The story of Brienz offers lessons far beyond one Alpine valley.

• First, it shows the importance of trust between science, authorities and citizens. Research from institutions such as ETH Zurich helped authorities evaluate risks and prepare for potential disaster.
• Second, it highlights the human side of natural hazards. Evacuation is not only a technical measure. It touches identity, home and belonging.
• Finally, it reminds us that resilience grows through cooperation. Engineers, geologists, researchers, local officials and residents worked together to face a challenge that none of them could solve alone.

During his talk, Albertin spoke with honesty about uncertainty, responsibility and hope. Now, as the village opens its doors again, those words feel even more meaningful.

For the people of Brienz, the mountain remains part of daily life. Yet today the village breathes again. And that alone is a reason to celebrate.

Watch the talk below in German:

In January, I packed my bags and flew to Pasadena, California, to start a six-month adventure at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. I joined the team working on a future Mars rotorcraft, contributing to a project aimed at pushing the boundaries set by Ingenuity, the pioneering Mars helicopter. This marked the start of an unforgettable chapter, both as an engineer and as a person.

Life at JPL

Life at JPL was unlike anywhere else I’ve worked before. On any given day, you might walk past engineers testing new rover prototypes in the courtyard or catch a glimpse of hardware being readied for launch in the clean rooms. I even got to meet the astronauts from the Artemis crew when they dropped by to visit! All of this felt extraordinary at first, but gradually became part of everyday life. I was part of the software team developing algorithms for an Earth-based demonstrator drone, which serves as a testbed for technologies that could one day guide a future Mars rotorcraft. My main focus was on the autonomy side: designing and refining the software that allows the drone to plan missions, execute waypoint navigation, and make real-time decisions during flight. This is critical, since a drone on Mars cannot be controlled in real time due to communication delays among other things. I also contributed to perception algorithms that detect safe landing sites in rough terrain which is a crucial capability for future planetary flying vehicles. Beyond coding, a big part of the work was integrating and testing everything on real hardware, ensuring the algorithms performed just as well in the lab and outdoors as they did in simulation. Beyond developing algorithms, a big part of the experience was bringing them to life through real drone tests. Our lab had an indoor drone testing room where we could fly whenever needed, and the campus also featured an outdoor drone yard which is essentially a large netted area designed specially for safe flight testing. Supervisors and senior engineers, many of whom had actually worked on Ingenuity itself, stopped by regularly to give guidance and feedback. It was a great environment to learn and develop in, and it was extremely motivating and inspiring.

Testing in the Desert

A particularly memorable part of the internship was a field trip to Death Valley National Park, where our team tested our drones in Mars-like terrain. The goal was to evaluate how well our algorithms handled challenging, unstructured environments which is a valuable step before moving to more advanced trials. The setting, with its dry valleys and rugged rock formations, offered a striking reminder of what exploration on another planet might feel like and the challenges it posed for our perception algorithms. It was demanding work under the sun, but a great opportunity to see our software perform outside the lab. Being out there also made me realize how, while small errors are part of testing on Earth, a similar mistake millions of kilometers away on Mars could mean the end of an entire mission. This makes Ingenuity’s success even more impressive.

Beyond the Lab

Of course, California itself was a whole other adventure. Pasadena quickly became home, even if finding a place to live wasn’t easy when wildfires swept through Los Angeles in January. Daily life was quite different to Switzerland with the car-centric culture, the long distances, and the contrasts of city life. Luckily, it was easy to settle in thanks to the people I met, especially the other interns and students from Caltech in the neighborhood. Together, we filled our weekends with road trips and new experiences: hiking through Joshua Tree, Zion, and Sequoia National Parks; catching sunsets and learning to surf in Malibu, sometimes accompanied by dolphins; exploring San Diego and San Francisco; and even flying to Hawaii. Standing on a surfboard in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, surrounded by turtles, is a memory that will stay with me forever.

Reflections

Looking back, my time at JPL was as much about algorithms and drones as it was about people and places. I met brilliant engineers, many of whom had shaped historic missions, and shared adventures with interns from around the world. I learned that true engineering isn’t about complex solutions, but about making things simple, reliable and robust, especially when they need to work flawlessly millions of kilometers away. Most importantly, I left California hungry for more. More travel, more exploration, and more opportunities to work at the frontier of robotics and autonomy. Whether I continue in industry or one day pursue a PhD, one thing is clear: this internship confirmed that I love the blend of research, teamwork and experimentation that pushes technology and robotics forward.

Closing Thought

Back in Zurich, I’m grateful for how much this experience broadened my perspective: on technology and science, teamwork, and what it means to explore. The mindset I took from JPL stays with me every day, pushing me to keep learning, improving, and reaching further, not only in robotics, but also personally.

The ENHANCE Alliance is a network of ten leading European technical universities (Chalmers, TU Delft, Gdańsk Tech, NTNU, Polimi, RWTH Aachen, TU Berlin, UPV, WUT, and ETH Zurich), founded as part of the European Universities Initiative. ETH Zurich joined the Alliance in November 2022 (see ETH news).

My first assignment as the ENHANCE Core Officer at ETH Zurich took place in May 2022 at the Leadership Meeting in Warsaw, following the decision by ETH Zurich’s Executive Board to join the ENHANCE Alliance. The focus there was the proposal for the four-year ENHANCE+ project. Following intensive brainstorming and negotiations, my colleagues and I visited the botanical garden. Inspired by the exotic plants and the colourful flowers, we reflected: ETH’s engagement in ENHANCE will flourish if the institution, its students and staff all benefit from it. ENHANCE should become a garden of innovative education, where ideas can grow.

As the Core Officer, I had the privilege of being one of the gardeners. Among other things, my task was to prepare Rector Günther Dissertori, and Vice-Rector Jan Vermant, for the governance meetings and to accompany them. When ten universities sit down to negotiate, there will be twenty different opinions. Nevertheless, we always managed to reach compromises because we are all working towards the same goal: to prepare our students for their future challenges in business and society. I experienced that ETH’s commitment in the European Higher Education Area is highly valued. ETH is often looked upon as a role model. Of course, we can also learn from our partners, who are pursuing many initiatives, such as digitalisation, with just as much drive and innovation.

The seed of ENHANCE has been sown. It is growing and the first buds are beginning to bloom. Thanks to Julia Wussler and her colleagues, there are now more opportunities for short-term mobility, which enables students to learn and collaborate in an international context. Thanks to project funding from Movetia, the National Agency for Exchange and Mobility, students have access to scholarships. ETH faculty also contributes to attractive learning opportunities, such as the Summer School in Transdisciplinary or in Urban Planning.

The entire Swiss higher education sector benefits from the European Universities Initiative. We exploit synergies in the digitalisation of administrative processes. Florian Hilfinger from RWTH Aachen and David Sichau from ETH Zurich jointly lead the IT Infrastructure & Services work package. They have carried out a feasibility study on the use of verifiable credentials for digital data transfer between universities. We have shared these findings with swissuniversities and launched a national project for issuing digital credentials.

The benefits for ETH go beyond academic collaboration. It is the many personal connections between people that bring significant individual and institutional value – they are the “fertiliser” for trust, ongoing collaboration and development. I now hand over the “rake and hoe” to my successor, Anna-Katharina Lautenschütz. I would like to express my gratitude for all the wonderful encounters with the people who contribute to the garden of ENHANCE, ensuring that it continues to flourish and bear fruit.

Almost a year ago, I stumbled upon an Instagram post from ETH Zurich about an internship offer for the United Nations Office in Bangkok, more precisely at UNDRR (Disaster Risk Reduction). The 21-year-old, applied Maths master’s student I was at the time, with close to no professional experience, did not think for a minute I had a chance. For some reason I decided to I read the offer and noticed met all the requirements, so I gave it a shot.

I applied internally with the ETH Studios, passed this first screen, then with the UN, got the interview, did the interview, got the position, each step being a complete surprise for me and I still was a bit baffled (and jet-lagged) on my first day in office in September. Everything was new (and a bit scary) to me and the onboarding process was a lot to assimilate.

I would describe this internship as a double way learning and teaching experience: I learned from my supervisors and my team (the Tech & Design team of UNDRR) how a big international agency works, and what current technologies are used in disaster mitigation. In turn, I got to teach them a bit about I learned at ETH: neural networks, LLMs, reinforcement learning… and how these tools can be used in the organisation.

As I was the first ever data and AI intern, I had to build from scratch with minimal resources and no pre-existing workflows. We figured out a lot of things on the go. The arrival of two other new interns at the same position as me, one of whom is also an ETH student, helped to speed up our work.

I primarily worked on two projects: a machine learning based catastrophic model for fragility assessment during seismic events, which I did alone, and a RAG chatbot based on UNDRR, with 3 other people. We were able to deliver working Proof Of Concepts for both, which was a big success given our modest beginnings. I was also the first presenter of a series of webinars about AI related topics, which are still delivered weekly to the entire UNDRR staff to this day. 

This goes in hands with what I would consider as my biggest accomplishment during this internship: planting the seeds of a proper machine and deep learning service at UNDRR (which was the vision our team’s boss had in mind when creating the internship offers). By the end of my six months, the proof of concept opened up opportunities for potential partnerships and funding to continue the work. A new ETH student is also starting her internship right when I finish and I personally see a real potential in a closer ETH/UNDRR partnership.

On a personal level, those past 6 months were an amazing adventure, full of new people from all over the world and travels around Thailand and Asia in general. Bangkok ended up feeling like home and coming back to Switzerland and its 9 million people (half of the population of metropolitan Bangkok) will certainly be quite the change; that and the price of groceries!

It feels like I took off for BKK airport only two weeks ago but in the meantime, the person I am now is fundamentally different from the student who arrived a bit late to work with his brand-new suit in September. I guess this is how growing up feels like.

ETH Studios

ETH Studios are global innovation outposts where ETH students tackle real-world challenges alongside companies, researchers, and startups. Whether in New York, Heilbronn, Davos, or at the experimental StudioX, students gain entrepreneurial and interdisciplinary experience while contributing to sustainable and tech-driven solutions.

Contact eth-studios@ethz.ch if you are interested in more information on and about the ETH Studios.

Co‑moderating our Global Lecture last week on “The Search for Life in the Universe” felt a bit like opening a window onto the cosmos. Together with my colleague Chris Luebkeman, we had the pleasure of welcoming two exceptional guests: Sir Pete Worden, Executive Director of the Breakthrough Initiatives, and Professor Sascha Quanz of ETH Zurich, who leads the visionary LIFE Space Mission.

In an hour that passed at orbital velocity, we explored what may be the most compelling question of all: 

“Are we alone?“

Pete Worden’s Cosmic Perspective

Sir Pete brought the kind of perspective only a career spent at the frontiers of astronomy, space policy, and technological disruption can provide. With characteristic wit, he framed the central dilemma quoting Arthur C. Clarke:

“Either we’re alone in the universe, or we’re not, and both possibilities are equally terrifying.”

Pete walked us through why the coming decades may finally allow us to resolve this dilemma. His work with the Breakthrough Initiatives spans the search for technosignatures, the development of next‑generation telescopes, and even early concepts for interstellar probes. A few of his points stayed with me:

• The nearest stars matter most. Alpha Centauri remains a scientific and symbolic target, close enough that one day a probe might realistically get there.
• Not all signals are created equal. He told the story of a supposed detection from Proxima Centauri: champagne briefly opened, only for the signal to be revealed as interference. A reminder that discovery requires rigour, patience and humility.
• The technological landscape is shifting fast. Private investment, falling launch costs, and rapid iteration are transforming space science. As Pete put it, much of what once looked like science fiction “now simply looks like a very ambitious engineering project”.

He also emphasised the value of asking daring questions. Could we one day use the Sun itself as a gravitational lens to image a distant world in detail? The idea sounds wildly futuristic, yet it is grounded in real physics. Listening to him, one had the sense that the horizon of the possible is still expanding.

The LIFE Mission: Reading the Heat of Other Worlds

Professor Quanz introduced LIFE, ETH Zurich’s bold proposal for a space observatory designed to detect the heat signatures of exoplanets in the mid‑infrared.

This technique would allow scientists to probe atmospheric composition, surface temperature and pressure, and other factors essential for assessing habitability. As he explained:

“Thermal emission lets us look much deeper into an atmosphere than reflected light ever can.”

If even one planet shows the right combination of gases or thermal patterns, it could point to biological processes. This would be a milestone that could reshape science and society.

When Finding Nothing Still Teaches Us Everything

One of the most thought‑provoking themes came from Professor Quanz: the scientific value of a “null result”.

Searching dozens of planets and finding no biosignatures would still tell us something profound about Earth’s rarity, resilience, and fragility.

“If you look at enough planets and still find no signatures of life, at some point you are no longer just unlucky; you have learned something fundamental.”

Pete agreed, noting that truly alien life may be so different from anything we can currently detect that we will only recognise it in hindsight.

A Journey That Outlasts Us All

Both speakers insisted that the search for life is more than a scientific challenge; it is a civilisational one. It spans disciplines, cultures, and generations. Sir Pete phrased it simply:

“This is our future… and we need everyone’s help.”

Moderating this conversation was a reminder of how powerful curiosity can be. In looking outward to the stars, we inevitably reflect inward on our own place in the universe, and the responsibilities we carry here on Earth.

Whether Earth 2.0 turns out to be just next door, or impossibly rare, the search itself is a unifying journey. And it has only just begun.

Check out the pictures from the event here: Meet ETH Flickr

And in case you missed it, watch the talk here:

I hope this glimpse encourages you to join us at a future event. I find that with our Global Lecture Series, we begin a new journey every time, giving ourselves pause to reflect on key topics on the global agenda and learning from individuals with remarkable clarity and foresight. I invite you all to come and join us!

To mark the upcoming International Women’s Day on 8 March 2026, and inspired by this year’s theme Give to Gain, we are shining a light on some of the remarkable women whose perspectives and experiences enrich the ETH Ambassadors blog. By giving our attention to their stories, we gain a deeper appreciation of the curiosity, creativity and commitment that shape our community.

Below, we invite you to revisit a selection of their posts. Each one offers a unique window into the people and ideas that make ETH Zurich a vibrant, diverse and forward‑looking place.

1. NASA JPL: Building a Researcher in Turbulent Times

“I can confidently say that during my time at JPL, I grew both as a researcher and as a person.” In this article, Tenzin Tsultrim shares how a four-month internship at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory shaped her. 

As part of the inaugural Space Systems Master’s programme at ETH Zurich, launched by former NASA Head of Science Thomas Zurbuchen, Tenzin stepped straight into the heart of planetary research. From numerically simulating Venusquakes to field-testing infrasound sensors, she contributed to work that could one day help detect seismic activity on Venus.

At the same time, she witnessed the realities of turbulent times in the U.S., including visa delays, budget cuts, and uncertainty at JPL. What stayed with her most was the resilience, humility, and optimism of the people around her.

Read more: NASA JPL: Building a Researcher in Turbulent Times

2. Trust, Transparency, and the EU AI Act

In the piece as captured by Viktoria Österdahl, Liisa-Ly Pakosta, Estonia’s Minister of Justice and Digital Affairs, and ETH Professor Effy Vayena, a leading voice in digital ethics, explore how trust, transparency, and practical regulation are shaping AI governance in Europe.

Drawing on Estonia’s digital-first model and Switzerland’s sectoral approach, they discuss the implementation challenges of the EU AI Act, the importance of citizen data ownership, accountability, and clear limits for AI systems, and the need to balance innovation with protection. The conversation highlights that building trustworthy AI requires courage, cross-border learning, and regulatory frameworks that earn public confidence while keeping pace with rapid technological change.

Read more: Trust, Transparency, and the EU AI Act

3. From Pilot to Practice: Building Plant-Based Value Chains at ETH Zurich

In the blog piece, Daniela Hoffmann shares how she is leading the transdisciplinary Plant4Value project at ETH Zurich to accelerate the shift toward sustainable, plant-based food systems in Switzerland. 

By bringing together 24 partners across the entire value chain, from farmers to policymakers, the project pilots practical solutions such as farmer support schemes, technological innovation, and demand-generation strategies, all rigorously evaluated for their social, economic, and environmental impact. Hosted at the Albert Einstein School of Public Policy, Plant4Value demonstrates how collaboration between science, policy, and practice can unlock scalable pathways to a more resilient food future.

Read more: From Pilot to Practice: Building Plant-Based Value Chains at ETH Zurich

4. From Olympian to Cookbook Author

What does it mean to balance excellence in sport, academia, and beyond? Few people embody that question more fully than Emma Pooley, ETH alumna, Olympic silver medalist, world-class endurance athlete, and now engineer and author.

In this piece based on a recent We Are ETH podcast, Emma Pooley shares her extraordinary path from Cambridge mathematics student to elite endurance athlete, a PhD in engineering at ETH Zurich, and authoring and publishing a cookbook – Oat and Joy. 

Read more: From Olympian to Cookbook Author

Want to listen to more content instead? We have curated a list of all the women guests of the We Are ETH Podcast.

When we say it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, we really mean it: you can only attend the Global Young Scientists Summit (as a student…) once. Yet, by the end of the week, we all agreed that we would return every year if we could. The summit offered a rare opportunity to hear from and interact with Nobel Prize, Turing Award, Millennium Technology Prize and Stockholm Water Prize laureates. Some of us were also selected to give a five-minute pitch to the plenary. Here, we share our personal experiences of this remarkable event.

Lucas Gobatti

The most special thing about this event for me was a sense of scale of scientific impact. Meeting researchers whose work has fundamentally changed how we understand the world, puts one’s own research into perspective. From reshaping our perception of physical reality to reducing the cost of sequencing the human genome from billions of dollars to around a thousand it makes clear why such contributions are recognised with the highest scientific awards. On a much smaller scale, my research on urban greenery was selected for a quickfire pitch: by far the most important presentation I have given in life. You can watch the video here.

Tatiana Akhmetshina

GYSS 2026 was definitely the most special conference of my life. Not because of the credentials in the room—though yes, there were Nobel laureates everywhere—but because these scientific heroes turned out to be approachable human beings who genuinely wanted to talk with us.

My personal highlight was Sir Tim Hunt asking about my quickfire pitch presentation (you can find the recording here). There I was at the conference closing event, explaining my research to a Nobel laureate, and it felt both completely surreal and oddly normal. Like talking to a mentor over coffee, except the mentor discovered cell cycle regulation. The fireside chats captured this perfectly—a format that felt relaxed and natural. We could ask anything, and they answered honestly, sharing conversations about science, failures, career pivots, and what keeps them going.

The fellow participants were just as inspiring. Scientists from different countries and fields, all genuinely curious about each other’s work and excited to learn something new. It had the energy of summer camp, but for people who get excited about research and science. I have to mention the organizers too. They created such a welcoming atmosphere that everything ran smoothly without ever feeling stiff or overly orchestrated.

And Singapore itself! The city is a living testament to what happens when science and technology are prioritized. Exploring the futuristic architecture in my jet-lagged haze made everything feel even more dreamlike (the jetlag definitely added to the surreal quality of the whole experience). I’m deeply grateful to my supervisor, department, and ETH Zürich for making this possible. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I’ll carry the inspiration and connections with me for a long time.

Kostiantyn Sakhatskyi

GYSS 2026 in Singapore was a tremendous source of inspiration for both my life and my scientific path. I was genuinely moved by the chance to listen to and speak with some of the brightest scientific minds in the world. One thing that stayed with me was how often the laureates returned to the same idea, each in their own words: breakthroughs rarely arrive like lightning; they come from stubborn curiosity, years of iteration, and a clear sense of why the work matters. Several conversations left a particularly strong impression. Professor B. Jayant Baliga linked decades of semiconductor impact to practical, experience-tested advice on bridging academia and industry. Torsten Hoefler’s urgency about accelerating AI computation — and why it matters for science and society — felt like a direct challenge to think bigger. Konstantin Novoselov’s view of science as an art and his thoughts on how we shape papers to communicate truth clearly have stayed with me since. Beyond the core programme, it was also exciting to explore Singapore with fellow young scientists. Wandering through the city—especially the Marina Bay district—added an extra spark and made the whole experience feel even more special. I returned home with fresh ideas for my own projects at the materials–devices–systems interface, and renewed motivation to pursue research that can benefit society. I’m grateful to ETH Zurich for the nomination, and to the National Research Foundation of Singapore and the GYSS team for creating a week that felt intense, human, and genuinely inspiring.

Mitchell Taylor

What stood out most to me during this event was the people. The energy of the young participants was palpable, and the advice from the laureates was invaluable. I met talented researchers working on a vast array of difficult problems – ranging from water conservation to neuroscience – who were at the same time genuinely pleasant and easy to talk to. Singapore was also the ideal location for the conference, offering a vibrant and modern place for people to further explore and be inspired by.

Eliane Ballmer

Having started my PhD just two months before GYSS 2026, I arrived at the conference in the middle of an inner rollercoaster. Waves of excitement about finally shaping my own project were chasing moments of doubt about what I was doing here, and whether any of my ideas would meaningfully contribute, or even work at all. However, participating in GYSS 2026 reminded me of why I chose to be in science in the first place, and let me rediscover the passion and fascination I have for contributing to unravelling the secrets of this world. GYSS brings together scientists from all over the world, ranging from early-career scientists to established, top scientific minds. The diversity of backgrounds and research interests is truly unique, which allows you to step out of your scientific bubble, acquire new ways of thinking, and look at your field from a completely different perspective. Hearing the Laureates speak about their non-linear trajectories, how moments of uncertainty and doubt were also part of their lives, but how their scientific curiosity, their consistency and their courage to venture from the known into the unknown led to truly remarkable and transformative discoveries, was profoundly inspiring. By the end of GYSS, the conversations I had, the connections I built, and the vibrant energy of Singapore itself had shifted my perspective entirely, leaving me ready to embark on my own scientific journey. I would like to thank D-USYS, where I completed my Bachelor and Master’s studies, as well as ETH Zurich for the opportunity to participate in GYSS 2026. The insights and the spirit I gained will accompany me throughout my scientific career!

Jan Meissner

For one intense week in Singapore, science transcended borders: lecture halls filled with big, bold ideas; conversations over morning picnics turned into spontaneous idea-swaps; and thoughts exchanged between students and Nobel, Turing, and Millennium Prize laureates. I began to sense a sort of momentum: when curious people from many countries and disciplines meet in the same place, progress feels achievable.

What surprised me most was how quickly very different topics began to feel connected. One moment we were discussing how large language models are changing the way we work and think; the next we were diving into quantum computing, personalized medicine, or how new proteins can be designed with deep learning.  Even when these subjects were far from my field of research, the underlying themes were familiar: uncertainty, creativity, and the discipline of testing ideas against reality. Some laureates wove parts of their life stories into their lectures. That not only made them feel more approachable; it also reminded us that behind the breakthroughs that move humanity forward are real people – people who also wrestled with doubts, took uncertain turns, and still found a way through.

ETH Zurich gave me both the opportunity – and the confidence – to step onto the stage for a five-minute Quickfire Pitch. I spoke about my research on methane clumped-isotopes, and how improving the way we “read” methane molecules in the atmosphere can help constrain where methane emissions come from and how they change over time. This time, the challenge wasn’t the science itself, but communicating it: stripping a complex topic to its core without losing its meaning and making it accessible to an audience spanning many fields and levels of expertise. It forced me to notice where I hide behind jargon, where my logic needs sharpening, and where a story carries more truth than a slide full of details. But it also reminded me why I chose this path in the first place: because rigorous science can be both technically demanding and deeply human.

Beyond the sessions, the most lasting part of GYSS was the people: spontaneous debates, shared doubts and hopes, and the feeling that science is an international language – even when our accents, disciplines, and perspectives differ. I came back to Zurich inspired, a little humbled, and grateful to ETH Zurich for being the kind of place that encourages stepping outside your comfort zone. If you are interested in my talk, you can watch the video here.

We are all deeply grateful for the opportunity to attend the Summit. It was both inspiring and humbling, and we would wholeheartedly recommend the experience to other ETH scientists if they have the chance to attend in the future.

We are four students with backgrounds in Chemical, Computer & Electrical Engineering as well as Computer Science, and we’d love to share our unforgettable internship experience in Japan. Through a collaboration between Marui Group in Nakano, Tokyo and ETH Studios, we were given the opportunity to explore the intersection of culture, sustainability, and design innovation.

Our journey began on June 27th, 2025, when we arrived at the Marui headquarters, jet-lagged but excited for what was ahead.

27.06–28.06 (Carla):

Our first day at Marui HQ kicked off with warm welcomes and a wave of introductions. Ms. Ibun, our project leader fluent in Japanese and English, guided us through a tour of the building. We had the honor of meeting Mr. Aoi, CEO of Marui Group, who shared his inspiring vision: a platform to connect international visitors with “Hidden Japan,” beyond the well-known paths of Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka.

On Day 2, we met Sybilla Patrizia, an Austrian filmmaker and the design director of the project. Her passion for local craftsmanship and storytelling brought our mission into focus. We explored how the SUKI platform could support sustainable tourism and empower regional artisans. The day concluded with a serene Zen ritual, tea ceremony, and a reflective conversation with a local priest about the tourist experience.

29.06–30.06 (Marlon):

We took the Shinkansen to Okayama and visited Kurashiki, a beautiful Edo-era town. Our goal: to interview tourists about why and how they discovered the town. Surprisingly, few foreign tourists were present, but the interviews gave us deep insights. We closed the day with dinner alongside our Marui friends.

The next day, we toured Marugo, a historic tabi shoe factory, guided by CEO Fujiki Shige-san. Watching artisans at work, and trying it ourselves, was unforgettable. We lunched with the staff and ended the day at Nishigawa Terrace, Fujiki-san’s sustainable restaurant complex. The food and heartfelt conversations reminded us how unmatched Japanese hospitality is.

01.07–02.07 (Gilles):

Day 5 was our free day. Marlon hit Nintendo World at 6 a.m., Gilles explored Kamakura, Carla wandered Kyoto, and Pierre returned to Tokyo. Day 6 was our first full-on workday: Carla and Pierre worked from HQ, Marlon and Gilles from a café. We aligned on our vision, outlined our pitches, and dove into development. The day ended with karaoke in Shinjuku that went from “just one hour” to “singing ‘til late”, the perfect team bonding moment.

 03.07–04.07 (Pierre):

Day 7 began with a creative brainstorm at Marui HQ. We shared key insights, refined our ideas, and practiced our final pitches. It was intense but energizing.

On the final day, we said goodbye to Gilles, who prerecorded his part. Presentation time came fast: the board, the SUKI team, and the CEO were in the room. No pressure! Carla and Pierre kicked it off, followed by Marlon’s pitch with virtual-Gilles via Facetime. The Q&A was rich, the feedback rewarding. We wrapped it all up with an apero and one last onsen + shabu-shabu night before heading back to Zurich.

My name is Tenzin and I am part of the inaugural cohort of the new Space Systems Master’s programme at ETH Zurich launched by Thomas Zurbuchen, former Head of Science at NASA. From the get-go, the programme has not been leaving room to breathe – and continued to challenge me throughout, even more so when I started my internship at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena!

The path has not been straightforward: the current political situation in the US has led to several stressful moments such as delayed Visa issuance, government shutdowns and layoffs at JPL due to budget cuts. Experiencing these circumstances firsthand, rather than through the news alone, provided a eye-opening insight into the realities faced by those living and working in the U.S. Throughout this period, I developed deep respect for the resilience and unwavering optimism displayed by the people at JPL, as well as for the strong sense of community and humility they upheld, particularly during challenging times.

Despite the situation, my four months at JPL have proven to be an exceptional learning experience: from numerical simulations of Venusquakes to field testing infrasound sensors to using advanced signal processing tools – each day brought new challenges and opportunities to learn! Contributing to a project involving an instrument that could potentially detect Venusquake was both exhilarating and rewarding. It taught me to tackle complicated problems without feeling (too) overwhelmed and that my insights and contributions are valued. I can confidently say that during my time at JPL I not only grew as a researcher, but as a person as well!

But how did this come about?

We — Defne Çetinkaya and Michelle Reinschmidt — both study architecture at ETH Zurich and attended Mariam Issoufou’s studio in 2024. Together, we developed a semester project that reimagined two ethnographic museums in Zurich at the “end of the world” — a world in which all acquired objects had been restituted.

In September 2025, we received the exciting news that our project had been selected for a panel discussion in New York. On 18 October 2025, we boarded a plane bound for JFK — excited, slightly nervous, and eager to discover what awaited us.

After breakfast on our first day, we took the subway from Brooklyn to Central Park. New York in the fall felt magical, and we must have said, “We can’t believe we’re here,” at least ten times. After a stop at the Guggenheim, we continued to Times Square — Michelle’s first time in the city made it a must.

The next day brought growing anticipation: the reception at the Swiss Consulate, which opened the exhibition Museums as Shared Spaces: Imagining New Possibilities and previewing the panel. Earlier, we had visited Mariam Issoufou Architects’ office and met Zahra’a for lunch. Meeting her in person and seeing Mariam again felt very special.

That evening at the Consulate, our nervousness quickly faded thanks to the warm welcome. The reception gathered a diverse group from the Swiss and international cultural scenes, and we found ourselves in many inspiring conversations. The ease of connecting with people truly lived up to New York’s reputation.

The following day — panel day — marked the peak of our nervousness and excitement, especially after learning the event was fully booked. We spent the morning strolling through Brooklyn Bridge Park, rehearsing and calming our nerves. 

Later, at the Van Alen Institute, Mariam Issoufou opened with an inspiring keynote before we presented our project. The discussion that followed expanded into broader questions of architecture, responsibility, and the role of institutions in shaping cultural narratives.

What stayed with us most was the openness of the audience and the depth of the exchange. It was incredibly rewarding to see a student project spark dialogue beyond academia. The evening ended with happy faces having ice cream together with Zahra’a, her friends, and Jonathan, whom we had met through the event. 

During the remaining days, we explored the city: walking the High Line, visiting the Whitney, eating bagels with Jonathan in Washington Square Park, and touring the UN with Loris from the Swiss Mission. Experiencing New York through such meaningful encounters made the trip truly special.

Looking back, this journey was not only unforgettable on a personal level but also a significant academic milestone. We are deeply grateful to the Swiss Consulate in New York, Professor Mariam Issoufou, Zahra’a, and ETH. The experience reminded us why we study architecture: to think critically, engage in dialogue, and imagine alternative futures — sometimes at the other end of the world.