Prof. Dr. Pimchai Chaiyen, President of the Vidyasirimedhi Institute of Science and Technology (VISTEC), officially signed a memorandum of understanding at the Strategic Partnership Signing Ceremony during the launch of the Future Founders Bootcamp 2026, held on June 18, 2026, at PTT Public Company Limited Headquarters. Initiated under the concept "Mixing Great Ingredients", this program is a powerful collaboration between VISTEC, VISUP, BUSEM (Bangkok University), and Harbour.Space@UTCC, alongside key partners TED Fund and Techsauce. The initiative aims to build an innovation ecosystem and drive the development of next-generation Deep Tech and innovation entrepreneurs. As a co-founder, VISTEC is proud to announce that our talented students and researchers have been selected to join this elite entrepreneurial incubation program, with 11 of our members participating in this cohort. Their participation reflects VISTEC's strong commitment to transforming high-impact research into real-world commercial ventures (Deep Tech Commercialization) through the bootcamp’s comprehensive training journey. VISTEC extends its full support to our 11 researchers and all participants as they step forward to become future innovation leaders, driving sustainable national growth. Credit images: https://www.facebook.com/FutureFoundersBootcampTH

VISTEC's Three Pillars Model is not just a strategy. It's a promise — and today, that promise is delivering results you can see.🔬 Pillar 1 — Develop Global Science & Technology TalentsWe cultivate world-class researchers through four schools, exceptional faculty, students, and postdocs, supported by world-class academic infrastructure and a deep culture of research excellence.💡 Pillar 2 — Impactful Research & InnovationOur research doesn't stop at publication. Through pathbreaking quality research, Research Fellows, Investigators, and Industry-Sponsored Postdocs, we generate innovations that matter — to industry and to society. 🚀 Pillar 3 — Speed Up from Research to MarketWe close the gap between discovery and deployment through Mentoring & Advisory Support, state-of-the-art Facilities & Collaborations, and a robust ecosystem of Funding, Networks & Linkages — all grounded in an entrepreneurial culture.✅ GreenGen Biotechnology is living proof —As a VISTEC University Spin-off, GreenGen joined WHA Group's WeCYCLE initiative on June 11, 2026 as a technology partner. GreenGen Biodigester is now transforming organic waste and food scraps into valuable resources — cutting greenhouse gas emissions and driving real progress toward Net Zero Emissions at an industrial scale.This is what all three pillars working together looks like.We are immensely proud of the GreenGen team, and grateful to WHA Group for championing Thai deep tech on this scale. Interested in how we turn food waste into bioenergy? Discover it here:https://greengenbiotechnology.com/en/Email: greengen@greengen.co.th Tel +66 65 250 8085

Day 5 Highlights — ISBC & ISLS 2026 | Rayong, Thailand After four days of inspiring science and meaningful connections, it was time to sit back, explore, and simply enjoy! 🌟 Our ISBC & ISLS 2026 participants wrapped up the symposium with a well-deserved Day 5 excursion, choosing between two wonderful experiences in beautiful Rayong.Trip A — Rayong Botanic Garden 🌿🚣Participants paddled through the serene waterways of Rayong Botanic Garden, surrounded by lush greenery and the tranquil beauty of nature — a perfect breath of fresh air after four days of brilliant science. 💚Trip B — Tropical Fruits Buffet 🍈🥭What better way to say goodbye than with Rayong's finest tropical fruits! Participants indulged in a vibrant spread of durian, mangosteen, and local delights — sweet memories to take home alongside the science. 😄🌺Moments like these remind us that great science is always best shared with great company. Thank you to every participant who joined us on this journey — we hope you carry a piece of Rayong warmth with you wherever you go. See you in Europe, 2028! 💚View the day 5 gallery here. https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1W2IBc-DfyweLRgabIEHZAMg76AbgiVlp?usp=sharing

  The 2026 Inaugural ISBC Fellows RecognitionISBC Fellows of the SocietyThe International Society for Bioluminescence and Chemiluminescence (ISBC) is proud to introduce its newly launched ISBC Fellows of the Society program. This prestigious designation formally honors individuals who have made outstanding, longstanding contributions to the ISBC and driven significant advancements in the fields of bioluminescence and chemiluminescence. Moving forward, a selective group of distinguished scientists will be named every two years. The 2026 Inaugural ISBC Fellows RecognitionFor this historic inaugural cycle, we are privileged to recognize 16 distinguished members whose dedication and groundbreaking work have fundamentally shaped our scientific community.16 distinguished members:We are celebrating and presenting certificates to the following Fellows in person during the conference, and we also extend our deepest gratitude and recognition to our absent Fellows, including a special posthumous honor celebrating the enduring legacy of Professor Yoshihiro Ohmiya:NoNameAffiliation and Country1Shimshon Belkin*Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel2Pimchai Chaiyen*Vidyasirimedhi Institute of Science and Technology (VISTEC), Thailand3Jérôme Mallefet*Université catholique de Belgique, Belgium4Alexei Trofimov*Emanuel Institute of Biochemical Physics of Russian Academy of Sciences, Russia5Keith Wood*CEO of Light Bio, Inc., United States6Yoshihiro Ohmiya**University of Bucharest, Romania7Josef Wilhelm BaaderUniversity of São Paulo, Brazil8Bruce R. BranchiniConnecticut College, United States9Sylvia DaunertUniversity of Miami, United States10Ludmila FrankRussian Academy of Sciences, Russia11Arne LundinFounder of BioThema AB, Sweden12Reinhard NiessnerTechnical University of Munich, Germany13Aldo RodaUniversity of Bologna, Italy14Gérald ThouandUniversity of Nantes, France15Vadim VivianiUniversidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCar), Brazil16Eugene VysotskiRussian Academy of Sciences, Russia* Fellows in person Inaugural ISBC Fellows Recognition** Posthumous Recognition  Nakashima Prize & Ohmiya PrizeThe Nakashima Prize and Ohmiya Prize are the two most prestigious awards at the ISBC&ISLS2026 conference, specifically designated for young scientists (students and postdoctoral researchers). Winners are selected through a rigorous screening process by the central Selection Committee to ensure absolute fairness and identify the most prominent and outstanding individuals among the applicants. Eligible candidates are strictly excluded from the evaluation process to maintain neutrality.Prize: Each award includes a cash prize of $700 USD, funded by Lumica.Sponsor & Presenter: Both awards were co-founded and sponsored by Lumica in connection with the late Professor Ohmiya and Professor Nakashima. During the final scientific session on May 28, Mr. Shiro Harada (President/CEO of Lumica) will physically present the awards, alongside key representatives Dr. Kazuki Niwa (AIST) and Yoshihiro Nakajima (AIST).  Outstanding Oral PresentationAwards were given for Outstanding Oral Presentations. Each award recipient received a cash prize of USD 100 for their excellent contribution.  Outstanding Poster PresentationAwards were given for Outstanding Poster Presentations. Each award recipient received a cash prize of USD 100 for their excellent contribution.

Day 4 Highlights — ISBC & ISLS 2026 | Rayong, Thailand What a grand finale to the scientific program of ISBC & ISLS 2026! Day 4 brought together some of the most inspiring plenary lectures of the entire symposium — a truly fitting close to four days of world-class science. This afternoon's plenary talks in the Grand Bilan Hall:•    Prof. Robert E. Campbell on evolving fluorescent biosensors to spy on cell signaling and metabolism•    Prof. Tony D. James presenting the latest in fluorescent chemosensors and imaging agents•    Prof. Martin Vacha exploring nanoscale properties of organic and hybrid materials at the single-molecule level•    Prof. Elisa Michelini closing with novel bioluminescent biosensors for portable and wearable diagnosticsThe morning sessions were equally outstanding, with exciting talks on luminescent biosensors for environmental detection, advanced luminescent materials for bioimaging and display technologies, and so much more.The day wrapped up with the 2026 Inaugural ISBC Fellows Recognition, the Award Announcement, and the Closing Ceremony—congratulating the brilliant scientists recognized for their exceptional contributions to the field (see separate post at the link: https://vistec.ac.th/news-events/vistec-news/92).And the celebration continued into the evening with a wonderful buffet dinner at the Grand Lomtalay — a perfect night to celebrate science, friendship, and the spirit of global collaboration. Thank you to every speaker, participant, and delegate who made this symposium truly unforgettable. Thailand is so proud to have hosted you all! 💙View the day 4 gallery here. https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1KXEKzwZ3zx5RdqHdwkuouq9vajZulsVk?usp=sharing

Day 3 Highlights — ISBC & ISLS 2026 | Rayong, Thailand Day 3 delivered another spectacular journey into the world of light and life! From the deep ocean to living cells, today's sessions truly showed how luminescence science touches every corner of the natural world. Morning highlights included:✦ Prof. Cassius V. Stevani with fascinating field observations on Motyxia sequoiae bioluminescence.✦ Prof. Jerôme Mallefet asking the big question — why do marine animals glow?✦ Assoc. Prof. Anchana Thancharoen on firefly conservation and sustainable practices right here in Thailand.The afternoon sessions dove deep into advanced bioimaging, biosensing, and clinical diagnostics — with keynote speakers Prof. Takeharu Nagai, Dr. Ryo Nishihara, and others presenting cutting-edge bioluminescent tools for life science research.On the ISLS side, sessions on luminescent coordination compounds and optical spectroscopy brought equally exciting new perspectives.Another poster session this evening kept the conversations — and the science — glowing well into the night! We are so proud to see Thailand inspire the world's brightest scientific minds.View the day 3 gallery here. https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Fm5kjO0FoeQk72T61f6NRUSlQKfPrmL5?usp=sharing

Day 2 (An evening) Highlights — ISBC & ISLS 2026 | Rayong, ThailandAn evening of science, remembrance, and connection here in Rayong, Thailand. In Loving Memory of Professor Yoshihiro Ohmiya. We opened the evening with a heartfelt Memorial Session honouring Professor Yoshihiro Ohmiya, a true pioneer in bioluminescence who passed away in January 2026.Chaired by Professor (Emeritus) Shimshon Belkin, the session brought together four distinguished colleagues who shared their memories, reflections, and tributes:✦ Professor Vadim Viviani✦ Professor Aldo Roda✦ Professor Kazuki Niwa✦ Professor Pimchai ChaiyenProfessor Ohmiya dedicated his life to understanding how living things produce light — and his work continues to illuminate the path for researchers around the world. He will be deeply missed, and forever remembered. 🌸Flash TalksEnergy filled the room as 11 early-career and emerging researchers took the stage to share their latest findings in bioluminescence and luminescence spectrometry. Each talk — sharp, exciting, and full of fresh ideas — reminded us why this field continues to shine.Poster Session — 38 PostersThe evening came alive with science and conversation as researchers gathered around 38 posters, sparking discussions, exchanging ideas, and building connections that go beyond borders.This is what makes ISBC & ISLS 2026 so special — world-class science, shared with heart. 💡View the day 2 - evening gallery here.https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1U4wBZ06yPRiAGULtKIeqShzcFHpL4iF4?usp=sharing

Day 2 Highlights — ISBC & ISLS 2026 | Rayong, Thailand What an incredible day of science! Day 2 of the XXIII International Symposium on Bioluminescence and Chemiluminescence (ISBC) & XXI International Symposium on Luminescence Spectrometry (ISLS) was packed with brilliant minds and groundbreaking research. This morning's plenary sessions brought us:• Prof. Martin Marek unraveling the complexity of Renilla bioluminescence.• Prof. Jose M. Costa-Fernandez on innovative photoluminescent nanoparticles for healthcare diagnostics and food safety.• Prof. Tirayut Vilaivan showcasing fluorogenic styryl dyes and PNA probes for nucleic acid imaging.• Prof. Micha Fridman shedding light on chemical probes for antifungal drug design.The afternoon broke into three exciting parallel sessions covering reaction mechanisms of chemi- and bioluminescence, advanced luminescent nanomaterials, and luminescent biosensing — with keynote speakers and researchers from around the globe sharing their latest discoveries.The day wrapped up with a heartfelt Memorial Session honoring the legacy of Prof. Yoshihiro Ohmiya, followed by energetic flash talks and a vibrant poster session. Every session reminds us why Thailand is so proud to be the first Southeast Asian host of this landmark event. The future of luminescence science is glowing bright! 💡View the day 2 gallery here.https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1TwVJbA9w_PIHWEOvjrHcn8yf_PBs6H1R?usp=sharing

✨ A Historic First for Southeast Asia — ISBC & ISLS 2026 Kicks Off in Thailand! ✨Day 1 of the XXIII International Symposium on Bioluminescence and Chemiluminescence (ISBC) and the XXI International Symposium on Luminescence Spectrometry (ISLS) — what a beginning it was! For the very first time in the history of these prestigious international symposia, Southeast Asia — and Thailand — proudly takes center stage as the host of this landmark scientific gathering. We are deeply honored to welcome distinguished scientists, researchers, and delegates from across the globe to Rayong, Thailand. Day 1 opened with inspiring words from Prof. Pimchai Chaiyen, followed by outstanding plenary lectures from Prof. Nathan Shaner on Reporting Cell Signaling Events Using Bioluminescence, and Prof. Vinich Promarak on the fascinating world of ESIPT luminophores. The evening continued with a special reflective session by Dr. Keith Wood — "Luminescence Then, Now, and Next" — and a warm welcome cocktail bringing together brilliant minds from around the world.We are so proud to host this incredible community of scientists here in the Land of Smiles. Four more exciting days await — with cutting-edge talks on Bioluminescence, Chemiluminescence, Luminescent Nanomaterials, Biosensors, and so much more that will inspire and shape the future of Luminescence Science.View the day 1 gallery here. https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1tJvSlHVsWqL5iUcNQ9m6qQflep7dMu77?usp=sharing