See full agenda Wed May 20 / 09:25 AM - 09:45 AM PST

How Science and Collaboration Shape Resilience

In an era defined by accelerating technological change, geopolitical uncertainty, and increasingly sophisticated digital and societal threats, it has become a question of resilience, sovereignty, and collective responsibility. Drawing on my experience at the forefront of nanomaterials and energy-storage research—one of the most competitive and strategically critical scientific fields today—I will explore striking parallels between advanced materials science and modern cybersecurity. Both domains operate under intense global pressure, both depend on long-term investment in fundamental research, and both reveal how scientific excellence, independence, and collaboration are essential for sustained technological leadership. This keynote will examine why science and innovation are the true foundations of societal resilience, and why independent research, trusted infrastructure, and home-grown expertise have become a strategic imperative for Europe and beyond. Through concrete examples from nanotechnology and energy innovation, the talk will illustrate how interdisciplinary collaboration, cross-border partnerships, and persistence in “deep tech” research enable success even in super-competitive landscapes dominated by global powers. Ultimately, the session invites the audience to rethink cybersecurity not only as protection against threats, but as a shared ecosystem—where resilience is built together, over time, through trust in science, investment in people, and a commitment to technological autonomy.

Valeria Nicolosi Bio

Professor Valeria Nicolosi is a leading expert in nanomaterials and advanced microscopy, currently based at Trinity College Dublin (TCD), where she heads the Characterisation & Processing of Advanced Materials (CPAM) Research Group. Her work focuses on the development and processing of low-dimensional nanomaterials such as graphene, carbon nanotubes, inorganic nanowires, and 2D nanosheets, with applications in energy storage, electronics, and sustainable materials.

She is internationally recognized for her pioneering contributions to electron microscopy and nanomaterials processing, particularly in the scalable fabrication of functional nanomaterials. Her group is known for integrating advanced structural characterization techniques with materials engineering, enabling breakthroughs in fields like electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding, where they are currently developing MXene-based composite materials using recycled wood and additive manufacturing technologies.

Professor Nicolosi’s research is supported by prestigious funding, including a European Research Council (ERC) Proof of Concept (PoC) grant, and she collaborates widely across Europe. Her work has attracted over €40 million in research funding, including eight ERC grants - a record in Europe. Her leadership extends to mentoring PhD and undergraduate students, and she plays a key role in interdisciplinary projects that bridge chemistry, physics, and materials science.

Keynote
02. Valeria Nicolosi - Nanotechnologist and academic, Trinity College Dublin
Valeria Nicolosi Nanotechnologist and academic, Trinity College Dublin
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