From January 9 to 10, 2026, the TISA 2nd Annual Academic Conference was successfully held at the Longwu Campus. The conference was structured into four main sections: research progress presentations, special lectures, thematic reports, and interactive discussions, comprehensively showcasing the Institute's scientific advancements and developmental achievements over the past year. Nearly 200 attendees—including members of the Advisory Committee, domestic and international experts and scholars, all faculty and students of the Institute, and representatives from the Tsientang Materials Laboratory—gathered to participate in a high-level academic event featuring interdisciplinary dialogue across the sciences and humanities, as well as East–West academic exchange.

On the first day, a special session of the Tsientang Lectures—the Institute’s flagship distinguished lecture series—featured Professor Drew Weissman, recipient of the 2023 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, and internationally renowned scholar Professor Ali Naji. Together, they shared cutting-edge academic insights that set the tone for the conference and fostered a vibrant international research atmosphere.

The following day, during the thematic report session, principal investigators from the Institute's various research units provided detailed accounts of key developments and breakthrough achievements in the fields of physical sciences, life sciences, artificial intelligence & informatics, and humanities & social sciences. The ensuing discussion was dynamic and engaging, with participants delving into topics such as the Institute's disciplinary structure, talent development, and laboratory construction, contributing numerous forward‑looking and practical insights.

Additionally, the conference featured a dedicated research exhibition highlighting outstanding work from the Institute’s laboratories and research institutes over the past year. The exhibition provided attendees with opportunities to engage closely with the latest scientific advances and real-world technology applications.

This year's conference not only served as a comprehensive review of the Institute's annual research activities but also acted as a vital platform for intellectual exchange, strategic alignment, and resource integration. By fostering an open, interdisciplinary, and international platform for dialogue, the conference further demonstrated the TISA’s commitment and capacity to address national strategic priorities and advance scientific innovation, while strengthening its trajectory toward becoming a globally influential center for advanced research and talent cultivation.

Source: Research Collaboration Office

Editing: Mengyao Cai, Zilong Zheng

Review: Peifeng Liu, Wei Zhang, Zilong Zheng