Canan Dagdeviren is co-organizing the 2026 Turkish American Scientists and Scholars Association (TASSA) Conference, themed “Bridging Innovation in the Era of AI: Transnational Impact Across the U.S. and Türkiye.” The conference will take place October 2–4, 2026, at the Sancar Turkish Cultural and Community Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

Together with TASSA President Dr. Ercan Alp and fellow conference co-organizer Prof. Hasan Ayaz of Drexel University, Dagdeviren will help bring together scientists, scholars, students, innovators, entrepreneurs, and community leaders for three days of scientific exchange, collaboration, and community building.

This year’s conference will explore the transformative possibilities of artificial intelligence and its growing impact across science, engineering, healthcare, education, entrepreneurship, and society. Through talks, discussions, and opportunities for interdisciplinary exchange, TASSA 2026 aims to strengthen connections between the United States and Türkiye, foster new transnational collaborations, and create opportunities for the next generation of researchers and innovators.

A special highlight of the conference will be an intimate conversation over Turkish coffee with Prof. Aziz Sancar and Prof. Gwen Sancar, offering a personal discussion about science, life, partnership, perseverance, and the values that have shaped their extraordinary journey.

By connecting researchers and communities across disciplines and borders, TASSA 2026 seeks to turn shared knowledge and emerging technologies into meaningful and lasting impact.