Laurentian Researchers Join Team Canada at Berlin Science Summit

November 4, 2026 — Three researchers from Laurentian University have been selected to represent Canada internationally at the upcoming Falling Walls Science Summit, taking place November 6 to 9, 2026, in Berlin, Germany.

With partial support from the Office of the VP and Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), Steven Beites, Meng Cheng Lau, and Mateus Pepinelli will join "Team Canada" following an initiative led by ISED and Universities Canada to showcase the country’s leading research talent.

The Falling Walls Science Summit is a premier global forum connecting international science leaders, innovators, and policy changemakers bto address humanity’s most pressing challenges through groundbreaking scientific discovery, collaborative round-table discussions, and interdisciplinary partnership.

Canada will serve as the Featured Country at the summit on November 6 and 7, hosting a dedicated presence in the Global Connections Pavilion and Lounge, as well as an evening networking reception designed to foster international research ties.

The three Laurentian delegates bring diverse, high-impact expertise spanning sustainable architecture, artificial intelligence, and biodiversity preservation:

Steven Beites, Assistant Professor, Northern Housing and Architecture 

• Applies robotics, advanced fabrication, computational design, and bio-based materials to  deliver affordable, scalable, and lower-carbon housing solutions tailored for Northern Ontario and cold-climate communities.

Dr. Meng Cheng Lau, Assistant Professor, Artificial Intelligence and Robotics 

• Develops mobile and humanoid robotic systems using artificial intelligence, focusing on autonomous perception, decision-making, and interaction within complex operational environments.

Dr. Mateus Pepinelli, Assistant Professor, Climate and Biodiversity 

• Studies insect biodiversity and plant–pollinator interactions, developing innovative environmental DNA (eDNA) tools and low-cost, user-friendly, 3D-printed samplers to understand how climate change and seasonal shifts reshape plant–pollinator networks and ecosystem functioning.

Through their participation in Berlin, the Laurentian delegation aims to advance global scientific dialogue while highlighting Northern Ontario as a hub for cutting-edge innovation and sustainable research solutions.