Summer 2026 was filled with exciting research, conferences, summer schools, and new experiences for members of the Bergmann Group. Here are a few highlights from the summer.

Uwe gave keynote lecture at the European Conference on X-ray Spectrometry (https://www.exrs2026.com/) in Catania, Sicily, where he and his wife Elisabetta visited Mount Etna.

Varun visited the Kapteyn–Murnane Group at the University of Colorado Boulder to foster research collaboration and exchange ideas on ultrafast science.

Sophie and Minhal attended the Gordon Research Conference for Scientific Methods in Cultural Heritage Research in Les Diablerets, Switzerland! Sophie presented her poster on characterizing Australian plant exudates via FTIR, py-GCMS, NMR, and synchrotron X-ray Raman scattering. And, Minhal presented her poster on studying early metal type printed documents via synchrotron X-ray fluorescence. They also got to enjoy the beautiful Swiss Alps!

A very special congratulations to Sophie on her wedding! The Bergmann Group wishes Sophie and her husband, Perri, a lifetime of happiness, love, and wonderful adventures together.

Aakankshya attended the Ultrafast X-ray Summer School (UXSS) at SLAC, where she received hands-on technical training, and participated in a group mock proposal presentation. She also attended CAMPS at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, where she presented her work on Tracking Element-specific Carrier Dynamics in MnPtGa using XUV Femtosecond Absorption Spectroscopy Tabletop (X-FAST) Instrument in the Bergmann’s Lab in physics department.

Roberta attended International Conference on X-ray Absorption Fine Structure (XAFS) in Thailand, where she presented her research on “Probing the Water Structure Around Dissolved Argon via EXAFS Spectroscopy”.