Texas A&M Graduate Students Attend Global Young Scientists Summit in Singapore  

The annual event in Singapore brings together bright young researchers and top scientific minds from around the world to discuss science and how research can address major global challenges. 

By Kahkasha Wahab, Texas A&M University Graduate and Professional School

Seven Texas A&M graduate students and one post-doc represented the university at the Global Young Scientists Summit (GYSS) 2025 in Singapore, joining 350 young researchers from 49 countries to learn from, be inspired by and engage with Nobel Laureates, Fields Medalists and Turing Award winners. The Texas A&M delegation included Kimberly Branan (Biomedical Engineering), Shruti Hariyani (post-doc - Chemistry), Hadear Hassan (Mechanical Engineering), Ashfaq Ifthaker (Chemical Engineering), Fatima Mahnaz (Chemical Engineering), Jake Nicholson (Chemistry), Paris Reuel (Chemistry) and John Soukar (Biochemistry & Biophysics). 

“The summit was a life-changing experience,” said Kimberly Branan, a biomedical engineering Ph.D. student. “Interacting with top researchers broadened my perspective, opening my mind to all the new possibilities to approach a problem, the opportunities that await me in academia after I graduate with my Ph.D, and the collaborations and connections I otherwise wouldn't have made.” 

The GYSS is an annual, highly selective international gathering of preeminent and upcoming scholars and researchers from an array of scientific disciplines. The young scholars selected to attend are chosen after a competitive application and nomination process based on their academic excellence, research contributions and leadership potential. Participants have the opportunity to interact with some of the most accomplished scientists in the world, gaining exposure to new research methodologies and breakthrough discoveries. 

The summit featured discussions on artificial intelligence, quantum computing, climate change, energy systems, and satellite technology. The Texas A&M attendees actively participated in keynote lectures, panel discussions, fireside chats and networking sessions, sharing insights and learning from world-renowned scientists. 

Texas A&M’s connection with the GYSS stems from the university’s partnership with the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings, explains Jörg Steiner, Regents Professor and University Distinguished Professor of small animal internal medicine in the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences and coordinator of the Singapore trip.  

“There are three major gatherings in the world where young, up-and-coming scientists can meet with the world’s most renowned scholars,” said Steiner. “Those are Lindau, the Heidelberg Laureate Forum and Singapore’s Global Young Scientist’s Summit. After our engagement in the Lindau Nobel Laureate meeting, I was approached by the organizers of the GYSS to see if Texas A&M would be interested in sending some of our students to Singapore,” Steiner said.  

Inviting scientists and young scholars from multiple disciplines makes GYSS unique. “You have scholars and students there from physics, chemistry, informatics, mathematics, medicine and more,” Steiner said. “So not only will our students meet the world’s top scientists who will demystify great research (because they’re people just like us) and inspire them to reach further in science, but they also get the benefits of thinking about how to collaborate with and communicate clearly to people from other disciplines” Steiner said. 

Chemistry doctoral student Paris Reuel said the multidisciplinary gathering was a highlight: “Engaging with global experts from other fields emphasized the importance of interdisciplinary approaches in solving complex global challenges we are facing,” Reuel said.  

Hadear Hussan, a doctoral student in mechanical engineering, agreed: “It was fascinating to see how different disciplines approach problem-solving. And improving my ability to communicate research across fields was an essential takeaway for me.” Hussan said. 

Steiner hopes to create a more formal arrangement to take students every year to the GYSS in Singapore. “It’s a transformative experience for our students, as well as a great opportunity to continue to build a global reputation for Texas A&M,” he said. “Fostering global academic engagement and research excellence only broadens the impact Aggies can make around the world.” 

For more details, please visit Global Young Scientists Summit.