Hong Kong Academy of Sciences Elects Five New Members

The Hong Kong Academy of Sciences (ASHK) held its tenth annual general meeting today (11 December) and elected five new members, namely, Professor Xuhua HE , Professor Mei-Po KWAN , Professor Siew Chien NG , Professor Michael HÄUSSER and Professor Wai-Yeung WONG Raymond. Professor Dennis Yuk Ming LO, President of the Hong Kong Academy of Sciences, congratulated the five newly elected members, praising them for their outstanding achievements in scientific research and significant contributions to social progress. He hopes that by bringing together more scientists who have made remarkable contributions to Hong Kong’s scientific development, ASHK can further promote the city’s research capabilities, reinforcing its position as an international innovation and technology centre, and continue to promote the popularisation of science, nurturing a new generation of research talent to contribute to Hong Kong and the nation as a whole.

Professor Xuhua HE is a mathematician who is conducting research in areas that include arithmetic geometry, algebraic groups, and representation theory. His work on finite and affine Weyl groups, and flag varieties, has gained wide recognition for its innovative approaches and applications.

Professor Xuhua HE

Professor Mei-Po KWAN is a geographer who applies cutting-edge geographic information science and remote sensing methodologies to address pressing health, transport, environmental and social challenges in urban settings. Her pioneering work has led to the identification of two major conceptual breakthroughs - the Uncertain Geographic Context Problem (UGCoP) and the Neighbourhood Effect Averaging Problem (NEAP) - which challenge traditional residence-based approaches to neighbourhood effect research and have driven a paradigm shift toward mobility-based environmental exposure assessment.

Professor Mei-Po KWAN

Professor Siew Chien NG is at the forefront of epidemiology research on inflammatory bowel disease and the role of gut microbiota in health and disease. She has discovered novel gut microbial signatures and transformed such signatures into clinically applicable non-invasive tests for early diagnosis of colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease and neurodevelopmental disorders in children.

Professor Siew Chien NG

Professor Michael HÄUSSER is a renowned neuroscientist. He has made significant discoveries that have deepened the understanding of how single neurons contribute to computation in the mammalian brain, particularly in the role of dendritic cell in information processing. Through his lab, he has adapted and developed ‘neurotechnologies’, such as combining two photon imaging and two-photon optogenetics, to study the function of neural circuits in the cerebellum and neocortex, alongside careful quantitative analysis and modelling.

Professor Michael HÄUSSER

Professor Wai-Yeung WONG Raymond is a chemist engaging in research on the designing and synthesizing of molecular functional materials and metallopolymers (1D and 2D) with photofunctional properties and energy applications. His team is committed to developing sustainable energy sources and enhancing energy conversion technologies to address upcoming global energy needs while promoting a cleaner, more resilient future.

Professor Wai-Yeung WONG Raymond

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.