2025 Future Science Prize to Honour 7 Scientists Hong Kong to host Prize Week in October Awards ceremony to take place at Hong Kong Cultural Centre

At a live-streamed press conference held in chorus in Beijing and Hong Kong today, the Hong Kong Future Science Prize Foundation announced the winners of this year's Future Science Prize (the “Prize”) for Life Science, Physical Science, and Mathematics and Computer Science. A total of 7 outstanding scientists will be honoured, they include Qiang JI, Xing XU, Zhonghe ZHOU for the Life Science Prize, Zhong FANG, Xi DAI, Hong DING for the Physical Science Prize, and Chih-Yuan LU for the Mathematics and Computer Science Prize (Please refer to the attachment for details of the laureates). Since 2016, a total of 46 renowned scientists have been awarded by the Prize.

The Hong Kong Future Science Prize Foundation announces laureates of this year's Future Science Prize in the categories of Life Science, Physical Science, and Mathematics and Computer Science at a press conference broadcasted live in chorus in Beijing and Hong Kong. 7 scientists are to receive the 2025 Future Science Prize. (Photos provided by the Future Science Prize)

Professor Dong SUN, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of the HKSAR Government, delivered a pre-recorded speech.

In his speech, Professor Lian-Tao WANG, Chairman of the 2025 Science Committee of the Future Science Prize, said that the term "Future" in the Future Science Prize represents two of our expectations. First, we aim to recognise groundbreaking scientific achievements that have the potential to change the course of various disciplines, and even shape the future of humanity. Second, we trust that these exceptional scientists will continue to push the boundaries of knowledge, offering transformative contributions to the world through their insights and capabilities. Professor Wang added that this year marks the 10th anniversary of the Prize, signifying not just a milestone, but also the beginning of a new chapter. The Prize will look to discover and honour those committed to its mission of discovering and honouring scientific achievements that can shape the future and change the world as we know it.

Mr Victor WANG, Rotating Chairman, 2025 Future Science Prize Donor’s Congress, stated that in the last decade, he has witnessed every step of the prize’s journey from its inception. The scientific achievements represented by each laureate have undergone rigorous scrutiny over time and made profound impacts internationally, truly pushing the boundaries of human knowledge and demonstrating outstanding contributions.

Mr Victor WANG, Rotating Chairman, 2025 Future Science Prize Donor’s Congress, stated that the scientific achievements represented by each laureate have undergone rigorous scrutiny over time and made a profound impact internationally. (Photos provided by the Future Science Prize)

Professor Dennis Yuk-Ming LO, Co-Chair of the 2025 Future Science Prize Week Program Committee and President of the Hong Kong Academy of Sciences, congratulated this year’s laureates. He also said this year, being the 10th anniversary of the Future Science Prize as well as the Hong Kong Academy of Sciences, marks a "double blessing", the time to not only celebrate past accomplishments, but also to move forward into a brighter future.

Professor Lo expressed gratitude to the Hong Kong Government for its continued support in hosting this mega scientific event in Hong Kong, fostering a strong scientific research atmosphere in the city and igniting public interest in science, and that it has also become an important force driving scientific and technological advancement in China and the world, letting the world appreciate the research strength of the Greater China Region.

Professor Dennis Yuk-Ming LO, Co-Chairman of the Program Committee of the 2025 Future Science Prize Week and President of the Hong Kong Academy of Sciences, describes the event this ear as a "double blessing", being the 10th anniversary of both the Future Science Prize and the Hong Kong Academy of Sciences. (Photos provided by the Future Science Prize)

He stressed that this year’s Prize Week activities will focus more on community engagement, bringing science into daily life to inspire everyone. The awards ceremony will be held for the first time at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, in the hope of integrating science, art and culture.

Mr Leon MENG, Member of the 2025 Executive Committee of the Future Forum, said the growth of the Future Science Prize relies on the strong support from all sectors of society. It is through our collective efforts that this esteemed international scientific event has been successfully held in Hong Kong for two consecutive years. Through Hong Kong, a global platform, the Prize would be able to share a 'scientific feast' with peers around the world who are passionate about science. In the future, the Prize hopes to inspire even more people to engage in volunteer efforts that promote scientific progress.

Laureates of the 2025 Future Science Prize are announced in the presence of Professor Dennis Yuk-Ming LO, Co-Chairman of the Program Committee of the 2025 Future Science Prize Week and President of the Hong Kong Academy of Sciences (second left); Mr Victor WANG, Rotating Chairman, 2025 Future Science Prize Donor's Congress (second right), Mr Leon MENG, Member of the 2025 Executive Committee of the Future Forum (first right) and Professor Ming LI, Member, Science Committee of the Future Science Prize (first left) and. (Photos provided by the Future Science Prize)

The Future Science Prize Week 2025 will take place in Hong Kong, featuring a series of events that will liven the scientific atmosphere in the city. Highlights will include Science and Technology Forum and the 2025 Asian Young Scientist Fellowship Annual Conference to be held on 22 and 23 October, respectively, a two-day Science Symposium to be held on 24 and 25 October, the Future Science Prize Laureate Dialogue with the Youth and the 2025 Future Science Prize Awards Ceremony to take place on 26 October. A number of globally renowned scientists have been invited to participate in those events, including the previous laureates of the Future Science Prize, Professor Randy Schekman, 2013 Nobel laureate in Physiology or Medicine, Professor Arieh Warshel, 2013 Nobel laureate in Chemistry, Professor Reinhard Genzel and Professor David Gross, 2020 and 2004 Nobel laureates in Physics, and also fellows from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the US National Academy of Sciences and the Academia Europaea. There will also be two exhibitions open to the public at the Hong Kong Science Museum and the Hong Kong Cultural Centre in late September and October.

The Future Science Prize Week 2025 will be live streamed on its official website
(https://www.futureprize-hk.org) and the social media platforms of the Hong Kong Academy of Sciences.

The “Science Symposium”, one of the key events of the 2025 Future Science Prize Week (“Prize Week”) co-organised by the Future Science Awards Foundation and the Hong Kong Academy of Sciences, is taking place today and tomorrow (24 to 25 October) at the Hong Kong Science Museum.This year’s symposium has invited more than 30 leading international scientists to Hong Kong, including three Nobel Prize laureates, to deliver keynote speeches. Today, Professor Arieh WARSHEL, Nobel Prize Laureate in Chemistry 2013, shared his insights on the past and future of computational biology with symposium participants. Tomorrow, the symposium will feature keynote speeches by David GROSS and Reinhard GENZEL, laureates of the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2004 and 2020, respectively.

Professor Arieh WARSHEL, Nobel Prize Laureate in Chemistry 2013, delivered a keynote speech in the Science Symposium, sharing his insights on the past and future of computational biology with participants. (Photo provided by the Future Science Prize)

Other guests attending the symposium today included Professor Rob KNIGHT, Wolfe Family Endowed Chair in Microbiome Research at Rady Children’s; Professor Ngaiming MOK, Member, Hong Kong Academy of Sciences, and Edmund and Peggy Tse Professor in Mathematics, Chair of Department of Mathematics, and Director of the Institute of Mathematical Research, The University of Hong Kong; Professor Jun YU, Member, Hong Kong Academy of Sciences, and Assistant Dean, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong; Professor Song SUN, Laureate of 2021 Breakthrough New Horizons in Mathematics Prize, Professor, Institute for Advanced Study in Mathematics, Zhejiang University; and Professor Qilin ZHOU, Laureate of Physical Science Prize of 2018 Future Science Prize, Member, Chinese Academy of Sciences. They engaged in the exchange of research findings across the three major fields of chemistry, life sciences, and mathematics, exploring topics such as the principles of artificial intelligence, the pivotal role of gut microbiome in human health and disease, and perspectives on geometry.

The 2025 Future Science Prize Week kicked off today with a two-day Science Symposium gathering top international scientists. (Photo provided by the Future Science Prize)

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Future Science Prize, making it a milestone of exceptional significance. Nearly 500 people attended the first day of the symposium, while many members of the public with an interest in scientific research joined online via live streaming to collectively witness this decade-defining moment. Ms. Man Lei CHEONG, Acting Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of the Hong Kong SAR Government, officiated at the Prize Week Opening Ceremony and delivered a speech. Mr. Kwok Bun LEE, Commissioner for Innovation & Technology, also showed their support by participating in the event.

Ms. Man Lei CHEONG, Acting Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of the Hong Kong SAR Government, officiated at the Prize Week Opening Ceremony and delivered a speech. (Photo provided by the Future Science Prize)

Professor Dennis Yuk-Ming LO, Co-Chair of the 2025 Future Science Prize Week Program Committee and President of the Hong Kong Academy of Sciences, delivered the welcome address, noting that this year marks both the 10th anniversary of the Future Science Prize and the 10th anniversary of the Hong Kong Academy of Sciences, making it a true "10 x 10" milestone and a double cause for celebration. He stated that this is also the third consecutive year that the Future Science Prize Week has been held in Hong Kong. Professor LO said that this annual scientific event not only showcases the scientific achievements of the Greater China region, highlighting the research strengths across the Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan, but also reinforces Hong Kong’s role as an international gateway and academic exchange hub. It fosters interdisciplinary collaboration,facilitates the exchange of top-tier talent, and enhances Hong Kong’s position and influence within the global landscape of innovation and technology. Through a wide range of public science outreach activities, the event also aims to ignite young people’s passion for science, nurture the next generation of innovators, and contribute to the national goal of becoming the “world’s primary centre for science and high ground for innovation”.

Professor Dennis Yuk-Ming LO, Co-Chair of the 2025 Future Science Prize Week Program Committee and President of the Hong Kong Academy of Sciences, said that the Future Science Prize Week enhances Hong Kong’s position and influence within the global landscape of innovation and technology and nurtures the next generation of innovators. (Photo provided by the Future Science Prize)

The symposium will continue tomorrow with various sessions on physics and computer science. As this year marks the 10th anniversary of the Future Science Prize, a special session will be held tomorrow to explore "How to Run a Successful Prize". This session will feature distinguished guests who are or have been representatives of major international award committees, including Professor Thors Hans HANSSON, Former Chairman of the Nobel Physics Committee; Professor Ehud KEINAN, Council Member at the Wolf Foundation; and Professor Ingrid K. GLAD, Chair of the Board, The Abel Prize.

The first day’s session of the Science Symposium on Chemistry featured speakers including Professor Xinyuan LIU (Second Left), Chair Professor, Southern University of Science and Technology; Professor Qilin ZHOU (Second Right), Laureate of the 2018 Future Science Prize in Physical Science; and Professor Zhiwei ZUO (First Right), Professor, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Professor Zuowei XIE (First Left), Member of the 2025 Future Science Prize Week Program Committee served as moderator. (Photo provided by the Future Science Prize)

The 2025 Future Science Prize Week events are being live-streamed and can be watched on the official website of the 2025 Future Science Prize Week (https://www.futureprize-hk.org) and on the social media platforms of the Hong Kong Academy of Sciences.

The 2025 Future Science Prize Week kicked off today with a two-day Science Symposium gathering top international scientists. (Photo provided by the Future Science Prize)

Highlights of the 2025 Future Science Prize (Hong Kong)

Details can be found on the official website of the 2025 Future Science Prize Week
(https://www.futureprize-hk.org)