Through its role as nominating partner of the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings, the Global Young Academy puts forward outstanding early-career researchers to take part in these meetings and engage in exchange with Nobel Laureates and other leading researchers. The 75th Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting (Interdisciplinary), held from 28 June to 3 July 2026 in Lindau, Germany, convened around 70 Nobel Laureates and around 600 young scientists from across the globe.
For its 75th meeting, held under the motto “Science Transcending Borders”, the Council for the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings selected GYA member Meriem Chaanoui (Hassan 1st University, Morocco) and Zhen Xin Phuang (Xiamen University Malaysia). Phuang was nominated by GYA member Vincent Kok Sin Woon (The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou), China). Both participants share their experiences of the meeting below, capturing the scientific and personal impact of the meeting:
Meriem Chaanoui: “This unique gathering offered far more than the opportunity to attend outstanding lectures delivered by Nobel Prize winners. It also created rare opportunities for open and inspiring discussions with Nobel Laureates through various activities, including scientific walks, lunches, and informal exchanges. […] This experience was truly transformative. It reminded me why I chose the path of science and reinforced my commitment to contributing to research, innovation, and society.”
Zhen Xin Phuang: “’Does anyone still believe in science?’ This was the first question posed by the main protagonist in the short snippet released during the opening ceremony […]. In the current multipolar world, science has once again become the center of attention amid geopolitical turmoil. […] For the past 6 days in Lindau, I attended thought-provoking lectures, panel discussions, and partner dialogues to catch a glimpse of cutting-edge technologies across different scientific disciplines, while gaining profound insights into the influence of artificial intelligence (AI) on science’s future and autonomy. Having the Nobel Laureates share their research discoveries full of passion with a touch of humanity by narrating their ups and downs in life, made me reflect on my research journey.
Interacting with the Nobel Laureates and over 600 Young Scientists is another fruitful outcome from this meeting. Despite different academic disciplines and nationalities, I had shared in-depth conversations with plenty of brilliant minds and crossed paths with potential collaborators, who had stimulated various new ideas for my recent research interest – sustainable plastic waste management for data-driven policymaking.”
(Photo credit: Torben Nuding and team, and other fellow Young Scientists)