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.
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Professor Michael HÄUSSER
Professor Wai-Yeung WONG Raymond
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
Hong Kong is making comprehensive efforts to advance technological innovation, with a robust scientific foundation and widespread science education serving as the cornerstones for nurturing future innovators in the field. The eighth round of the “Distinguished Master, Accomplished Students” Mentorship Programme, jointly organised by the Hong Kong Academy of Sciences (ASHK), the Hong Kong Academy of Engineering, the Hong Kong Institution of Science, and the Hong Kong Young Academy of Sciences (YASHK), was officially launched today (22 March).
The kick-off ceremony of the eighth round of the “Distinguished Master, Accomplished Students” Mentorship Programme was held today. A total of 60 renowned scientists and engineers will voluntarily mentor 119 local high school science students, passing on the torch of scientific knowledge. (Photo provided by organiser)
Dr Jeff SZE, the Acting Secretary for Education of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and Professor Dennis LO, President of ASHK, officiated the ceremony as guests of honour and delivered speeches. Together with approximately 300 participants, including guests, school principals, parents, and students, they witnessed an important moment for 119 secondary school science students. Under the voluntary mentorship of 60 scientists and engineers, these students are poised to take a pivotal step forward on the path of scientific exploration.
The kick-off ceremony of the eighth round of the “Distinguished Master, Accomplished Students” Mentorship Programme was held today. A total of 60 renowned scientists and engineers will voluntarily mentor 119 local high school science students, passing on the torch of scientific knowledge. (Photo provided by organiser)
Since its launch in 2018, the “Distinguished Master, Accomplished Students” Mentorship Programme has benefited over 900 students, establishing itself as a flagship initiative for science popularisation in Hong Kong. This year, 60 mentors whose expertise spans life sciences, engineering, chemistry, physics, mathematics, computer science, and environmental sciences, are serving as mentors to students. In addition, distinguished scholars such as Professor Lap-Chee TSUI, Founding President of ASHK and former President of The University of Hong Kong; and Professor Nancy IP, Founding Member of ASHK and President of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, continue their commitment to guiding the next generation. Newly elected Members of ASHK, including Professor KWAN Mei-Po, Professor in the Department of Geography and Resource Management at The Chinese University of Hong Kong; and Professor NG Siew Chien, Professor in the Department of Medicine and Therapeutics of the Faculty of Medicine at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, joined the Mentorship Programme as mentors for the first time.
Dr Jeff SZE, the Acting Secretary for Education of HKSARG, officiates the “Distinguished Master, Accomplished Students” Mentorship Programme kick-off ceremony. (Photo provided by organiser)
Professor Dennis LO, President of ASHK, emphasised that promoting science education and nurturing young I&T talent are core objectives of ASHK, serving as crucial cornerstones for Hong Kong's development as an international innovation and technology hub. He noted that since its launch in 2018, the Mentorship Programme has expanded each year, with nearly 1,000 students having participated to date. Many of these mentees subsequently chose to pursue science-related degrees and entered the research or engineering sectors, thereby contributing to Hong Kong's new wave of technological innovation. Professor LO expressed his hope that current mentees would cherish the opportunity to interact closely with leading scientists, gain a deeper insight into the world of scientific research and personally experience its appeal, laying the groundwork for their future careers in technology and innovation.
Professor Dennis LO, President of ASHK, encourages participants to seize the opportunity to engage closely with leading scientists and experience the excitement of scientific research first-hand. (Photo provided by ASHK)
Professor LO said that, as the nation advances its 15th Five-Year Plan, Hong Kong is actively aligning with national strategies, focusing on cutting-edge fields such as artificial intelligence to foster the development of new productive forces. He added that nurturing a new generation of local scientists and ensuring the intergenerational transmission of the scientific spirit and expertise is not only the shared responsibility of the scientific community, the education sector, and the government, but is also crucial for Hong Kong to capitalise on national developmental opportunities and contribute to the country's pursuit of high-level scientific and technological self-reliance and self-improvement.
Daniel CHUNG, currently enrolled in the International Research Enrichment Programme in Biochemistry and Cell Biology at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, says that the “Distinguished Master, Accomplished Students” Mentorship Programme inspired his career direction. After graduation, he aspires to pursue a career in scientific research and contribute to society. (Photo provided by organiser)
Daniel CHUNG, a former mentee in the “Distinguished Master, Accomplished Students” Mentorship Programme, is currently enrolled in the International Research Programme in Biochemistry and Cell Biology at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. He shared his experiences and insights from the Mentorship Programme at the event. Daniel expressed special gratitude to his mentor, Professor Stephaine MA, Vice-President of YASHK and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research) at the University of Hong Kong. He noted that Professor MA not only shared her research journey and invaluable knowledge in the biomedical field, but also provided guidance on his academic progression and career planning. Through this mentorship, Daniel has clarified his future path in science and solidified his determination to pursue a career in research and contribute to the nation and society.
Dr Jeff SZE, the Acting Secretary for Education of HKSARG (Second Right), and Professor Dennis LO, President of ASHK (Second Left), interact with students participating in this year's Mentorship Programme. (Photo provided by organiser)
