The third and final Café Scientifique of the year took place on November 21, 2026 at the residence of the Consul General of Switzerland in Vancouver, located in West Vancouver. A heartfelt thank you to Thomas Schneider and his wife for graciously opening their home to us. Although the evening was dark and overcast, preventing attendees from fully enjoying the stunning views, the atmosphere inside was warm and inspiring.

Over thirty guests gathered, eager to hear Professor Jörg Gsponer share how artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing his field. Jörg, who heads the Department of Biology and Molecular Biology at the University of British Columbia (UBC), holds degrees in medicine from the University of Lausanne and in biochemistry from the University of Zurich.

He began by introducing the three main macronutrients: carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, before focusing on proteins, using egg whites as a familiar example. His presentation explored how researchers identify protein structures by unfolding them, a process that was once painstakingly slow. Thanks to AI tools like Google DeepMind’s AlphaFold 2, this work has accelerated dramatically, enabling scientists not only to identify protein structures quickly but also to design and test new ones. Jörg emphasized that his dynamic team of young, enthusiastic students keeps his research at the cutting edge of AI innovation.

The talk concluded with a lively Q&A session, after which attendees enjoyed delicious food and beverages generously provided by the Consulate General of Switzerland in Vancouver. The discussion reassured everyone that AI, far from being a threat, offers exciting and positive applications in science.

This event marked the largest turnout for an alumni gathering to date, with familiar faces and several newcomers, including alumni from the École Hôtelière de Lausanne (EHL). We hope to see them again at future events!

As we look ahead to 2026, we are planning a full calendar of Apéro and Café Scientifique event.
 Perhaps even a Soirée Raclette. Stay tuned!

Thank you to all our members for making 2025 such a memorable year. We wish you Happy Holidays and look forward to seeing you in 2026!