I Island² Chem Conference

Bridging Tenerife & Manhattan

2 - 4 september 2026

La Laguna, Tenerife

The Conference

days of Conference

distinguished speakers

countries represented

A story that began far from home. A reunion that once again spans the Atlantic.

From Columbia classrooms to the slopes of Mount Teide

In the mid-2000s, a group of young chemists from Tenerife, trained at Columbia University, began building an invisible bridge between New York and Tenerife. What started as an academic connection evolved into a lasting network of scientific collaboration and personal ties.

From that connection, the I Island² Chem Conference emerged

Two decades later, this transatlantic bond takes shape as a shared physical space: a conference that celebrates collaborative science, enduring friendships, and a return to one’s roots. A place where knowledge once again crosses the ocean.

A journey back to the starting point — to move forward together.

The Community

An international network of speakers and collaborators making this conference possible.

Colin Nuckolls

Columbia University

Get to know the speaker

Ohyun Kwon

University of California (UCLA)

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Antonio Echavarren

Instituto de Investigaciones Químicas de Cataluña (ICIQ)

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Pauline Chiu

University of Hong Kong

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Helma Wennemers

Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH)

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The Schedule

Three days to reconnect

september

2nd

Welcome and opening day of scientific exchange.

Opening ceremony and two plenary sessions
Panel discussions and networking breaks
Institutional welcome

september

3rd

A day bridging research and local perspective.

Plenary session and invited talks
On-site lunch featuring Canarian cuisine
Scientific excursion to El Teide

september

4th

Closing the conference while looking ahead.

Final plenary sessions and closing discussion
Closing Lunch

The Location

Tenerife: where science meets nature

Held in the heart of La Laguna, a UNESCO World Heritage city, the conference takes place at the intersection of history, mountains, and the Atlantic Ocean

Teide National Park

A UNESCO World Heritage landscape where science and nature meet at every step: lava fields, endemic flora, and viewpoints above 2,000 metres.

Nuestra Señora de África Market

Colour, aromas, and everyday life. A place to taste fresh local produce and experience the island’s daily rhythm.

Tenerife Auditorium “Adán Martín”

An architectural icon and cultural landmark, hosting music, art, and major international gatherings.

Masca (Teno Rural Park)

Nestled between ravines, offering some of the island’s most striking views and an unmistakably authentic atmosphere.

Benijo Beach

Wild, open to the ocean, and framed by green cliffs. Ideal for experiencing the island’s rawest landscape.

Church of La Concepción

The city’s most recognisable landmark, visible from almost anywhere.

University of La Laguna

The first university in the Canary Islands and the academic soul of the island.

Discover Tenerife

Become a sponsor

Take part in an international conference that brings together science, culture, and place. The NY–TF Conference offers a unique platform to support research, academic collaboration, and scientific development in the Canary Islands.