From June 22 to 26, 2026, the Academy of Sciences of Moldova is hosting the 4th edition of the Summer School “The Path to Scientific Discoveries” , an event dedicated to young people passionate about science and technology, bringing together students, researchers, academics and prominent figures from the international scientific community. Participants have the opportunity to interact with Nobel Prize laureates, academicians and renowned researchers from the Republic of Moldova and abroad.

The opening ceremony, held in the Blue Hall of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova (ASM), was inaugurated by the ASM president, academician Ion Tighineanu, who welcomed the participants and highlighted the importance of fostering a passion for research among young people. A welcome message was delivered online by Prof. Hiroshi Amano, Nobel Laureate in Physics and professor at Nagoya University in Japan, who encouraged the young people to follow their curiosity and view science as a path to knowledge and to transforming the world.

The program of the first day included a series of lectures delivered by prominent figures from the international academic and scientific communities.

Academician Ioan-Aurel Pop, president of the Romanian Academic Council and honorary member of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova, delivered a lecture titled “Education Through History,” in which he highlighted the role of understanding the past in shaping the identity, values and civic consciousness of contemporary society.

Next, Prof. Florin Stănică, a corresponding member of the Romanian Academy and president of the Romanian Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences, presented the paper “New Fruit Tree Species and Their Place in the Future of Fruit Growing,” addressing the prospects for the development of modern agriculture through the application of research, innovation and new technologies.

The afternoon session began with an online presentation by Prof. Richard Roberts, Nobel laureate in Physiology or Medicine, who delivered the lecture “The Path to the Nobel Prize,” sharing with participants his scientific experience and the lessons learned during an outstanding professional career.

Next, Academician Isaac Bersuker, a professor at the University of Texas in Austin, USA and a full member of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova, presented the lecture “The Jahn-Teller and Pseudo-Jahn-Teller Effects as Powerful Tools in the Search for Novel Properties of Matter” dedicated to fundamental phenomena in materials physics and chemistry.

A highlight of the first day was the lecture by NASA astronaut Jeffrey N. Williams, titled “Building the International Space Station,” in which he spoke about the process of constructing the International Space Station, international scientific collaboration and his experiences during space missions.

The Summer School “Path to Scientific Discoveries” continues through June 26 with lectures on medicine, engineering, artificial intelligence, economics, law and other current topics, offering participants the opportunity to engage in dialogue with researchers and professors from the Republic of Moldova and abroad.

The event is organized by the Academy of Sciences of Moldova, in cooperation with the Romanian Academy, Romanian Academic Council, Technical University of Moldova, “Nicolae Testemițanu” State University of Medicine and Pharmacy, “Alecu Russo” State University in Bălți, A.O. InfoGroup, and A.O. Moldova Young Academy, with financial support from the European Union in the framework of the Sci-TRUST project, GA nr. 101305415.