On 04 February 2026, the highly anticipated MAP Poster Session took place, marking a truly remarkable milestone: the 20th anniversary of the program. Current MAP Chairs Dr. Vogel and Dr. Felfer opened the ceremony with an enthusiastic speech, presenting MAP as an international and interdisciplinary Master’s program. They highlighted the positive opinions of past alumni, emphasizing the significant impact of the program on their diverse career paths.
Then, former lecturers Dr. Müller and Dr. Peukert gave a heartfelt speech reflecting on the early days of the MAP program, looking back at the initial idea, the challenges faced during its establishment, and how the program contributed to the creation of new collaborations and research initiatives within FAU throughout the years. Lastly, Dr. Boccaccini presented the importance of the international aspect of the MAP program. Drawing from his own academic journey, he illustrated the true aim of an international Master’s program: to establish connections between different countries to promote advancement and innovation. After each speech, current members of the MAP Office thanked these lecturers for their hard work and their contributions to the MAP program.
Immediately following the inspiring 20th-anniversary speeches, the poster session emerged as a vibrant hub of scientific exchange and celebration. During this dynamic event, third-semester MAP students presented their mini-projects and other research work in a high-quality scientific poster exhibition, showcasing the depth and innovation of their academic pursuits.
The exhibited posters encompassed a diverse array of interdisciplinary fields, specifically covering computational methods, biomaterials, nanotechnology, and chemical processing. This provided an excellent opportunity for attendees, including students and scientists, to freely walk through the poster rows, inquiring about the research and engaging in scientific discussions with the presenters. For junior students, the exhibition was particularly beneficial. By exploring the wide variety of research topics, they gained valuable insights and inspiration, helping them to determine their future Focal Subjects and providing a clear direction for their upcoming mini projects.
Throughout the session, guests enjoyed a welcoming and joyful atmosphere, helping themselves to snacks and refreshing drinks provided while conversing about the various aspects of each work. At the end of the event, the celebration culminated in an award ceremony. To honor the outstanding achievements within the MAP community, awards were granted for Best Student, Andrea Rojas Nóvoa; Best Lecturers, Nicolas Vogel and Carlos Bassani; and Best Posters, made by Niloufar Kardan (first prize), Laura Adilova (second prize) and a tie for the third prize between Swathi Wadavi and Hossein Emadi, bringing a memorable close to this special anniversary edition of the MAP Poster Session.
By MAP students Shu-Che Huang and Tu-Jiuan Cai (Matriculation group 2025) and Andrea Rojas Nóvoa (Matriculation group 2024)