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The "2024 Asian Young Scientist Fellowship (AYSF) Annual Conference”, one of the highlights of the 2024 Future Science Prize Week, was held on 31 October at The University of Hong Kong. Twelve outstanding young scientists from China (Mainland and Hong Kong SAR), Japan, South Korea, India, and Singapore were awarded the “2024 Asian Young Scientist Fellowship”. The awardees gathered at today's Conference to present their research findings.

Professor Xiaobo YIN, Associate Vice President and Professor of Department of Mechanical Engineering at The University of Hong Kong, and Professor Hong WU, Chair of 2024 Steering Committee of Asian Young Scientist Fellowship and Professor of the School of Life Sciences of Peking University, attended the event to deliver the opening remarks. The award ceremony was hosted by Professor Hong Wu (represent), Dawei Ma, Kaoru Ono, and K T Tim Cheng, who serve as the Chairs of the Sub-Committee in Life, Physical, Mathematics, and Computer Science. The Conference was also attended by around 150 young scientists, entrepreneurs, investors, business leaders, and educators from Hong Kong, Mainland China, and various other cities, promoting interdisciplinary dialogues and innovative discussions among young scientists.

This year, the 12 recipients of the "Asian Young Scientist Fellowship" shared their research findings at the Conference, including three young scientists from Hong Kong. Among them was Dr Hoi Chun PO, Hari Harilela Assistant Professor of Physics of The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, who was recognised for his research in condensed matter physics, symmetries in quantum materials and topology. He was previously the recipient of the Croucher Tak Wah Mak Innovation Award 2023. Dr PO shared his views on "Entanglement and Locality of Electrons in Solids" in today’s Physics Session.

Dr Kai LENG, Assistant Professor of the Department of Applied Physics of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, was recognised for her remarkable achievements in the isolation of 2D hybrid perovskite monolayers. She was previously honoured with the China Excellent Young Scientist Award and the Croucher Tak Wah Mak Innovation Award. Dr LENG delivered a presentation on "Molecularly Thin 2D Organic-Inorganic Hybrid Perovskite: Structure, Properties and Device Applications" at today’s Conference.

Dr Man-Chun LEE, Assistant Professor of Mathematics Department of The Chinese University of Hong Kong, was awarded the "2024 Asian Young Scientist Fellowship" for his research in geometric analysis and complex geometry. He was a previous recipient of the NSFC Excellent Young Scientist Fund (Hong Kong and Macau) in 2022. In today’s Mathematics Session, he shared his research on "PDE and Geometry" with the audience.

The “Asian Young Scientist Fellowship (AYSF) Annual Conference” aims to encourage and support promising and outstanding young researchers in Asia to conduct pioneering research and to nurture future world-class scientists. 

The 2024 Future Science Prize Week events are being live-streamed and can be watched on the official website of the 2024 Future Science Prize Week (https://www.futureprize-hk.org) and on the social media platforms of the Hong Kong Academy of Sciences.

 

About the Asian Young Scientist Fellowship (AYSF)
The Asian Young Scientist Fellowship (AYSF) was launched in 2022 by the founding members of the Future Science Prize, which is established to reward young scientists who have made outstanding scientific achievements, and encourage more private funds to promote basic science research in Asia. The AYSF provides a funding of USD$100,000 to each selected young fellow in life science, physical science, mathematics and computer science for their research, and creates a community that promotes explorative thinking, cross-disciplinary collaboration, international exchanges and mentorship.

The AYSF has partnered with the University of Hong Kong (HKU) to co-organise a series of collaborative events, such as the AYSF Annual Conferences and Webinars.  These initiatives aim to promote scientific and technological innovation, entrepreneurial incubation and public-private partnership, and drive innovation and entrepreneurship through research and talent development.

About The Future Science Prize
The Future Science Prize is a privately funded science prize jointly established by scientists and entrepreneurs. It is established by the Future Science Awards Foundation Limited, which was incorporated in Hong Kong in 2016. Each prize carries a monetary award of one million US dollars, with three award categories: life science, physical science, and mathematics/computer science. The Prize aims to recognize scientific breakthroughs that are original, innovative, and have long-term significance. Regardless of the researcher’s nationality, the nominated work should be completed mainly in Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan. 

Through awarding those who have made great contributions to society, the Future Science Prize expects to enlighten the spirit of science, to arouse enthusiasm for science, to influence social trends, and to attract more young people to pursue science as their own career.

About The Hong Kong Academy of Sciences (ASHK)
The Hong Kong Academy of Sciences (ASHK) was established by a group of most distinguished scientists in Hong Kong in 2015 to promote the development and advancement of science and technology in Hong Kong, and to raise Hong Kong’s profile as a centre of scientific excellence. The Academy brings together leading scientists in Hong Kong as well as from overseas who have contributed significantly to promoting science and technology in Hong Kong. With the vision that “The Academy thrives to provide leadership in developing Hong Kong as a centre of scientific and technology excellence”, the Academy and all its Members have worked unceasingly for the mission that “The Academy promotes the development and advancement of science and technology in Hong Kong and informs the public on relevant issues.

To recognise the indispensable contribution of young scientists in Hong Kong and to leverage their enthusiasm for promoting science and technology, the Academy set up the Hong Kong Young Academy of Sciences (YASHK) as an autonomous chapter in 2018.

Members of ASHK and YASHK are now working together complementarily in science popularisation, deepening cooperation between scientists and industrialists, nurturing talents, advising the public and the authority on matters relating to science and technology, recognition of outstanding scientists and other aspects promoting and advancing science and technology.