Lecture & Exhibition Tour (ENGLISH)

Meet the Scientist Nicolò Zava: Coffee Cups, Donuts, and Everything in Between

On this special tour, you'll meet mathematician Nicolò Zava. Nicolò's specialty is topology, so he studies the properties of geometric spaces and shapes. How do such shapes behave when we're allowed to stretch, bend, and twist them without restrictions? And how do these insights help us understand patterns in nature that would otherwise remain hidden?

Nicolò provides an insight into his research and the world of topology, showing you how it can help us understand complex data from science and engineering. After guiding you through the VISTA exhibition „Science in the Making,” he will also show you some places on campus that hold special significance for him and the institute's mathematics community. Come along and find out how a coffee cup can become a donut!

At the VISTA Science Experience Center, you'll gain fascinating insights into the world of research at the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA), and learn about the ideas, people, and often surprising processes behind science.

The free tour is conducted in English and is recommended for ages 12 and up. Those under 14 must be accompanied by an adult.

Saturday, March 14, 2026, 2:30 PM – 4:30 PM / Lecture & Tour of the Exhibition

Lecture and tour will be held in ENGLISH.

Booking – Lecture & Tour:

Meet the Scientist: Nicolò Zava