NanoDay 2026, held on Friday, May 8, and organized by the Bilkent University National Nanotechnology Research Center (UNAM), once again brought together leading figures from the international scientific community.
Celebrating its 12th edition this year, NanoDay welcomed Prof. Valentin Valtchev from the University of Caen Normandy and The French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS). Prof. Valtchev is recognized for his pioneering work in porous materials and zeolite chemistry. Prof. Roland Netz from Free University of Berlin, renowned for his work in soft matter and theoretical physics, was also featured at the event.
Following inspiring talks that highlighted some of today’s most advanced and rapidly evolving areas of scientific research, the afternoon UNAMTalks session brought together Prof. Refet Gürkaynak, Dean of the Faculty of Economics, Administrative and Social Sciences and faculty member of the Department of Economics at Bilkent University, alongside Prof. Roland Netz and Prof. Valentin Valtchev. In the session titled “The Economics of Science—Research and the Future in an Age of Global Uncertainty,” the speakers discussed the role of scientific research in economic transformation, the impact of global uncertainties on research ecosystems and the strategic importance of science in shaping the knowledge economy of the future.
The program also showcased captivating poster presentations by MSN students. As a part of the event, the winners of the NanoArt competition were announced and honored in order to promote the appreciation and excitement of images from diverse disciplines that were captured at the nanometer scale through the innovative use of imaging methods and technologies.
