Young Scholars Workshop 2026

The Young Scholars Workshop provided an academic platform for undergraduate students to present and discuss their experimental results on the extraction, phytochemical characterization, and biological activity evaluation of medicinal plants. The workshop emphasized the connection between bioactive compound recovery, chemical composition, and biological effects, encouraging students to critically interpret their findings and relate them to potential therapeutic or nutraceutical applications. Students presented their extraction strategies and yields, the main phytochemical constituents identified or predicted, and the results of their biological activity evaluations, with particular emphasis on antimicrobial and anticancer potential. Presentations also addressed possible mechanisms of action, structure–activity relationships, and the relevance of the findings in the context of previously reported scientific evidence. The workshop aimed to strengthen students’ abilities in experimental design, scientific communication, data interpretation, and critical analysis, while fostering interdisciplinary thinking in phytochemistry, natural products, pharmacology, and biotechnology. It also provided an opportunity for discussion and feedback from peers and faculty, helping students identify future research directions and potential applications of their findings.