TASSA 2026 Conference
The TASSA 2026 Conference takes place this weekend, October 2-4, 2026, at the Sancar Turkish Cultural and Community Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Registration is sold out, and we look forward to welcoming a full house of scholars, scientists, students, and professionals from across the United States and Türkiye.
The theme of TASSA 2026, “Bridging Innovation in the Era of AI: Transnational Impact Across the U.S. and Türkiye,” highlights the transformative role of artificial intelligence, science, engineering, health, education, social sciences, and the humanities in shaping the future of global collaboration.
We are especially pleased to gather at the Sancar Center, founded by Nobel Laureate Dr. Aziz Sancar and Dr. Gwen Sancar as a place to celebrate Turkish culture, community, and scholarship.
Dates: October 2-4, 2026
Location: Sancar Turkish Cultural and Community Center, 1609 E Franklin St, Chapel Hill, NC 27514
Final Program
The TASSA 2026 Conference Program is now final, with the Schedule at a Glance, session descriptions, speakers, the lightning talk lineup, and the full list of accepted posters.
The conference opens on Saturday, October 3 with a keynote and fireside chat with Nobel Laureate Dr. Aziz Sancar and Dr. Gwen Sancar, and features a keynote by Dr. Kenan Şahin on Sunday, October 4. Six panels bring together university presidents and leaders from Türkiye, AI researchers and technology executives, founders, philanthropists, and immigration attorneys: reverse brain drain and the Türkiye-U.S. innovation bridge, the future of AI, embodied intelligence and robotics, technology translation from lab to market, science and philanthropy, and immigration pathways for scientists and scholars. The program also includes an entrepreneurship workshop, three lightning talk sessions, 49 posters, a job fair, a cultural tribute to Aşık Veysel, the Young Scholars Awards, and a Saturday evening reception and dinner.
On Friday, October 2, registered attendees arriving early are invited to optional tours of UNC Chapel Hill research facilities, including the Aziz Sancar Lab and the Biomedical Research Imaging Center, and a campus tour led by a Turkish student. Lab and campus tours have limited seats and require advance sign-up; details and sign-up links are on the Program page.
Registration: Sold Out
Thank you for the overwhelming interest. TASSA 2026 has reached the capacity of the venue and registration is now closed. On-site registration will not be available.
If you are already registered, please bring your confirmation and pick up your name badge at the registration desk, which opens Friday afternoon and at 7:30 am on Saturday and Sunday. If you can no longer attend, please let us know at conference@tassausa.org so that your seat can be offered to someone on the waiting list. To join the waiting list, email conference@tassausa.org with your name and affiliation; we will contact you if a seat opens.
For travel and lodging, please see the Hotels, Meeting Location, and Airport pages.
Posters and Lightning Talks
Abstract submission has closed. Thank you to everyone who submitted. Accepted posters are presented in two groups, Saturday and Sunday, and the lightning talk speakers selected from the submitted abstracts are listed on the Program page. Presenters: please check the poster list for your day and board number, and bring your printed poster to set up on the morning of your poster day before 10:00 am.
Young Scholars Awards
Nominations have closed. The TASSA 2026 Young Scholar Award recipients will be recognized on Sunday, October 4, followed by short presentations of their research. Please see the Young Scholar Award page for details on the program.
Job Fair: Talent and Career Hub
Universities, companies, and startups from the U.S. and Türkiye will meet students and researchers seeking positions, internships, and collaborations on Saturday evening. Organizations wishing to host a table should contact conference@tassausa.org.
Share your photos and highlights with #TASSA2026. For questions, contact conference@tassausa.org. Program updates and any schedule changes will be posted on the Program page.