John Soukar Selected for Prestigious Global Young Scientists Summit 2025 in Singapore

John Soukar, a graduate student from Dr. Akhilesh Gaharwar’s laboratory at Texas A&M University’s Department of Biomedical Engineering, has been honored with the opportunity to represent Texas A&M and the United States at the 2025 Global Young Scientists Summit (GYSS) in Singapore. This highly selective summit brings together the brightest young researchers from around the globe to engage with some of the most renowned scientific minds, including Nobel Prize, Fields Medal, and Turing Award winners.

The GYSS, organized by Singapore’s National Research Foundation, is a multidisciplinary gathering where participants explore cutting-edge trends in science and technology, exchange ideas, and address global challenges. The summit fosters dialogue between early-career scientists and world-leading researchers through lectures, panel discussions, and intimate mentoring sessions.
Only a limited number of participants are selected each year, with nominations made by leading scientific institutions worldwide. Representing, John joins an elite group of young scientists from Texas A&M who are honored to share their research and insights on topics spanning medicine, mathematics, physics, computer science, and more.

Achievement and Research Focus
John Soukar received his B.S. at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, where he got his start in research. Currently pursuing a PhD in the Interdisciplinary program of Genetics and Genomics at Texas A&M, is working on nanomaterials that enhance and augment mitochondrial biogenesis for a variety of therapeutic applications. Their research focuses on how cells may be turned into biofactories of mitochondria, providing a source of energy generating machinery that can repair dysfunctional cells — offering transformative possibilities for regenerative medicine, disease treatment, and cellular engineering. John ongoing work builds upon the framework in the recently published “Atomic vacancies of molybdenum disulfide nanoparticles stimulate mitochondrial biogenesis” in Nature Communications and transforms the work into a disease agnostic therapeutic strategy.
At the summit, Soukar will present their findings and engage in discussions on how scientific innovation can address pressing global issues such as climate change, healthcare advancements, and technology accessibility. By leveraging the potential of nanomaterials to enhance mitochondrial generation, their work addresses key biomedical challenges, such as developing treatments for mitochondrial disorders and creating cutting-edge therapeutic tools.

Looking Ahead to GYSS 2025
Held annually in Singapore, the four-day event not only provides a platform for intellectual exchange but also aims to inspire young researchers to pursue interdisciplinary collaborations. For John, the summit offers a unique chance to interact with peers and gain mentorship from world-class scientists.
“This is an incredible opportunity to exchange ideas with leading minds in science and technology,” said John. “I’m excited to represent Texas A&M and contribute to meaningful discussions that could shape the future of innovation.”

About the GYSS
Since its inception in 2013, the GYSS has been a flagship initiative to inspire the next generation of scientists and researchers. The summit is a testament to the importance of global collaboration in science and its potential to address humanity’s greatest challenges.

Soukar is advised by Dr. Akhilesh Gaharwar, a Tim and Amy Leach Endowed Professor in the biomedical engineering department, and conducts his research in understanding the cell-biomaterials interactions and developing strategies for modulating stem cell behavior for repair and regeneration of damaged tissue.