On September 5, 2024, the Department of Chemistry at the University of Fribourg hosted the SCS Fall Meeting, one of Switzerland's largest and most anticipated research conferences.

Organized by the Swiss Chemical Society, this annual gathering serves as an invaluable platform for sharing the latest advancements and cultivating connections across the chemical sciences community. The SCS Fall Meeting is a staple in Swiss chemistry, drawing over a thousand participants each year and offering a rare blend of academic rigor, networking, and inspiration. For decades, it has welcomed senior scientists eager to share their latest research breakthroughs and provided young chemists with the exciting chance to present their findings—often for the first time in such a distinguished setting.

The 2024 program was packed with enriching sessions that offered both depth and diversity across chemical sciences. Highlights included:

• Poster session & exhibition where emerging researchers presented innovative projects, complemented by a commercial exhibition showcasing industry advancements.
• Plenary sessions featuring lectures by four esteemed SCS award winners of 2024, each delivering insights on groundbreaking research.
• Award ceremony recognizing excellence in oral and poster presentations.
• Nine thematic sessions with keynote lectures and dedicated 15-minute PhD presentations, covering topics from analytical sciences to organic chemistry.

A poster presentation by our partners from The School of Engineering and Architecture (HEIA-FR) showcased their innovative work on extracting, isolating, and purifying antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) from chicken feathers. Their approach—evaluating multiple extraction and purification methods—opened new possibilities for sustainable bioproducts, contributing to the meeting's theme of advancing chemistry for a better world.

The SCS Fall Meeting 2024 exemplified the power of collaboration and shared knowledge in driving chemistry forward. With its unique blend of cutting-edge research and community spirit, the meeting left participants inspired and connected, ready to apply new insights to their work.