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.

As the summer season is underway, it is the perfect time to slow down, rewind, reflect, and grab the opportunity to read some inspiring stories that showcase how science, innovation, and passion are shaping a better world. At ETH Zurich, sustainability is more than a buzzword, it is a commitment that drives research, education, and action across disciplines.

In this summer reading list, we bring you five interesting stories from the Development & Sustainability section of the ETH Ambassadors Blog. These contributions spotlight how members of the ETH community are engaging with real-world challenges, from climate justice to clean energy, circular construction to future cities and even career reinvention.

Here’s your curated selection of thought-provoking, inspiring and interesting reads for sunny days at your cozy balcony, at the lake, at a beach, or while enjoying the panorama somewhere in the mountains:

1. From “Never Build” to “New Beginnings”

By Dimitri Durst

Can discarded railway tracks become a foundation for sustainable construction? ETH alumnus Dimitri Durst thought so and proved it. This story follows his journey of turning high-quality scrap into an architectural statement of environmental innovation.

Read more…

2. Bridging Climate Justice and Urban Policies

By Dr. Fernando Túlio Salva Rocha Franco

From São Paulo to Berkeley, this reflection reveals how cross-continental research collaborations are addressing climate inequality through data-driven urban solutions. A powerful exploration of the intersection between social justice and climate science.

Read more…

3. CERAWeek 2025: Navigating the Energy Landscape in an Era of Change

By Ayca Duran, Fiona Kriwan, and Giacomo Mastroddi

Three ETH students offer their insights from CERAWeek, the world’s leading energy conference in Houston, Texas. Their report captures how the global energy conversation is shifting in response to climate challenges and technological breakthroughs.

Read more…

4. Envisioning Cities Yet to Come

By Dr. Julio Paulos & Joanna Sleigh

What will the cities of tomorrow look like? As ETH Zurich’s Future Cities Laboratory enters its fourth phase (FCL IV), this piece explores how researchers are imagining and building future-positive urban environments rooted in equity, sustainability, and design innovation.

Read more…

5. Unexpected Journeys: My Path from Flight Attendant to Environmental Scientist

By Bettina Hänny

In this personal and inspiring narrative, Bettina Hänny shares how she transitioned from a career in aviation to environmental science and how ETH Zurich played a transformative role in reshaping her life and professional purpose.

Read more…

Science with Purpose

Each of these stories reflects ETH Zurich’s commitment to advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through education, research, and global collaboration. Whether you are relaxing by the lake or planning your next academic adventure, let these articles inspire you to think differently about development, sustainability, and the role we each play in building a better future.

To find out more about ETH Zurich’s sustainability work, visit https://ethz.ch/en/the-eth-zurich/sustainability.html

Happy reading!