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Academia Sinica, Kyoto University (KU), and the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) are jointly holding a trilateral symposium from May 18 to 20, 2026. Following the inaugural symposium in Los Angeles in 2025, this year’s event has moved to Taipei, bringing together leading scholars from the three institutions to focus on new materials and renewable energy, biomedicine and human health, plant and microbial research, and agricultural development. Through active dialogue and interdisciplinary collaboration, the symposium aims to advance the translation of scientific discoveries into concrete solutions for the sustainable development.

On the opening day, the symposium featured a keynote lecture by 2025 Nobel Laureate in Chemistry and Distinguished Professor at Kyoto University, Professor Susumu Kitagawa, titled “Designing Molecular Space: From MOFs to a Better Future.” In his lecture, Professor Kitagawa shared the research journey that led to the development and advancement of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs).

In his opening remarks, President James C. Liao noted that Professor Kitagawa’s work not only demonstrates chemists’ precise mastery of molecular structures but also opens new possibilities for understanding the world and shaping the future. MOFs have inspired scientists to use new materials to capture carbon, store energy, purify the environment, and address shared global challenges such as climate change and resource sustainability. This, President Liao emphasized, reflects the essential value of fundamental research and the power of science to move society toward a better future.

MOFs are a new class of molecular materials composed of metal ions linked by organic molecules. Their structures resemble sponges with nanoscale pores. Scientists can design the size, shape, and function of these pores according to specific needs, much like assembling Lego blocks. Over the past several decades, through the sustained efforts of Professor Kitagawa’s team and research teams around the world, these materials have been applied in areas such as harvesting water from desert air, removing pollutants from water, capturing carbon dioxide, offering innovative solutions for environmental science, energy, medicine, and beyond. Professor Kitagawa noted that if such porous materials can be effectively used at scale, even countries lacking natural resources might have new opportunities to develop new resources from the environment. As humanity becomes better able to harness technology and reduce its dependence on finite resources, he said, science may help lessen conflicts and tensions arising from resource competition.

Professor Kitagawa also shared his expectations for young researchers. He observed that this is an era in which science can contribute to peace, but that goal cannot be realized overnight. It requires decades of sustained commitment and accumulation by younger generations. Drawing from his own experience, he encouraged the audience to embrace the idea of “the usefulness of the seemingly useless,” and not to abandon research or work simply because it appears impractical at first glance. The most valuable breakthroughs are often hidden in profound questions that few people are willing to pursue. Citing the saying “Chance favors the prepared mind,” he encouraged young scholars to follow their intuition, venture into the unknown, and remain committed over the long term so that they may be ready when opportunities for breakthrough arise.

This year’s AS–KU–UCLA trilateral symposium is held under the theme “Redesigning Materials and Life for Planet and Human Health.” Within a broad interdisciplinary framework, the symposium explores topics such as energy efficiency, cancer immunotherapy, cross-species viral transmission, plant resilience, and the stability of microbial communities. Over the course of three days, the symposium features nearly 30 academic presentations and discussion sessions. In addition to showcasing the latest scientific advances, the event also invites young scholars and doctoral students to participate, fostering cross-generational and international collaboration while encouraging the exchange of new ideas.

2026 AS–KU–UCLA Symposium:https://as-ku-ucla2026.dia.sinica.edu.tw