MecaNano Pitching Event + Round Table on Machine Learning Applications (WG1–WG3)

Friday 12 Dec 2025, 10:00 → 15:00 Europe/Vienna

Online

Claus Trost (Erich Schmid Institute of Materials Science of theAustrian Academy of Sciences), Edoardo Rossi (Università degli Studi Roma Tre)

This online event is designed to foster collaboration across WG1, WG2, and WG3 by connecting researchers with varying levels of expertise in machine learning. Participants will have the opportunity to present their problems, datasets, or methodological questions in short 5-minute pitches.

The session will be guided by machine learning experts, who will provide feedback and facilitate discussion during a structured round table. The goal is to create a space where non-experts can receive targeted advice, experts can share best practices, and all participants can identify opportunities for cross-disciplinary collaboration.

The event will combine concise pitch presentations with an interactive round table discussion, ensuring that both practical challenges and conceptual developments are addressed.

10:00 → 10:15 Welcome & Objectives

A short introduction to the event, outlining the goals of the pitching session and the expected outcomes for participants across WG1–WG3.

10:15 → 11:30 Pitching session

Pitching Session

The pitching session is the core of the event. Each contributor has 5 minutes to present a specific problem, dataset, or methodological question related to machine learning. The goal is a concise, problem-driven input to seed the expert-guided round table.

Guidelines for contributors

• Time limit: 5 minutes (strict).
• Focus: present the challenge and why ML is needed; avoid full result talks.
• Slides: optional, max 1–2 slides to show context/data.
• Be explicit: state the question you want experts to answer (e.g., model choice, data readiness, validation strategy).
• Data note: briefly indicate data size, format, labeling status, and constraints (privacy, IP, access).
• Outcome target: what would “success” look like in the next 3–6 months?
• Logistics: if using slides, upload via Indico before the session (PDF preferred).

Expected outcome

• A curated set of well-defined research questions from WG1–WG3.
• Actionable guidance from ML experts to be addressed in the round table.
• Identification of potential collaborations and follow-up actions.

11:30 → 11:45 Coffee break

11:45 → 12:45 Round table discussion

Interactive discussion guided by ML experts. Focus on addressing the problems raised in the pitches, exchanging best practices, and identifying possible collaborations.

12:45 → 13:45 Lunch Break

13:45 → 14:45 Round table discussion – Part II

Interactive discussion guided by ML experts. Focus on addressing the problems raised in the pitches, exchanging best practices, and identifying possible collaborations.

14:45 → 15:00 Wrap-up & outlook

Final summary of the event outcomes, highlighting recommendations, possible follow-up actions, and perspectives for the network.