PAIR Distinguished Lectures

Unlocking brain signals: Prof. George Malliaras, Fellow of the Royal Society, explores frontiers of electrophysiology in PAIR Distinguished Lecture

Recent advances in cortical and cutaneous electrophysiological recordings are rapidly expanding our ability to decode neural information. On 30 September 2025, Prof. George MALLIARAS from University of Cambridge, United Kingdom, delivered a PAIR Distinguished Lecture titled “How Much Can We Learn from Cortical and Cutaneous Electrophysiology?” He shared insights into the recent studies that explore the boundaries of cortical and cutaneous electrophysiology. The lecture attracted nearly 100 in-person attendees, with more than 13,500 online viewers tuning in via various social media platforms.

Member of the National Academy of Engineering Revolutionises Sustainable Energy Through Catalytic Innovation

Catalysis can accelerate chemical reactions and plays a key role in producing cleaner and more economical fuels. On 17 September 2025, Prof. WANG Yong from Washington State University, USA, delivered a PAIR Distinguished Lecture titled “Catalysis: Driving Affordable Clean Energy”. He shared insights into the potential of advanced catalytic technologies in revolutionising fuel production and reducing emissions. The lecture attracted over 120 in-person attendees, with more than 17,900 online viewers tuning in via various social media platforms.

Robot metamorphosis: Prof. DAI Jiansheng, Fellow of the U.K. Royal Academy of Engineering, delivers PAIR Distinguished Lecture

Metamorphosis is an innate natural attribute in the evolution and survival of species. The development of shape-shifting robots is a core area within the field of intelligent structures. By integrating computational intelligence, there is hope for achieving true embodied intelligence in today’s rapidly advancing world of artificial intelligence.

Uncertainty posed by AI: Geospatial science pioneer Prof. Michael GOODCHILD, Member of the US National Academy of Sciences, dissects past, present and future

Geospatial data finds applications in a wide array of fields, including urban planning, environmental management, disaster response, and transportation, leveraging spatial patterns to support decision-making in various sectors. Nevertheless, errors, imprecision, and complexities in datasets containing information about space and/or time can undermine the quality and reliability of spatial data and analyses. This issue of uncertainty in geospatial science (GIS) is expected to intensify as AI-driven geospatial applications become increasingly widespread, according to Prof. Michael GOODCHILD, Distinguished Professor Emeritus in the Department of Geography, University of California, Santa Barbara, USA.

Towards the future of long-duration energy storage: Prof. ZHAO Tianshou, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences on noval flow cells

Prof. ZHAO Tianshou, Director of Energy Institute for Carbon Neutrality, Chair Professor of Mechanical and Energy Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech), China, delivered the 41st PAIR Distinguished Lecture titled “Flow Cells for Long-Duration Energy Storage” on 4 July 2025 on the PolyU campus. The lecture drew over 90 attendees in person and captivated an online audience of more than 15,400 from different countries and regions who watched the live broadcast on social media platforms.

Exploring the frontiers of mechanics: Prof. GAO Huajian, Member of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences and the U.S. National Academy of Engineering, on mechano-X innovations

Prof. GAO Huajian, Xinghua Distinguished University Professor and Director of the Mechano-X Institute of Tsinghua University, China, delivered the 40th PAIR Distinguished Lecture titled “Mechano-X: Interdisciplinary Research and Innovation at the Frontiers of Mechanics” on 13 June 2025 on the PolyU campus. The lecture drew over 130 attendees in person and captivated an online audience of more than 14,000 from different countries and regions who watched the live broadcast on social media platforms.

Net-zero future - Nanotech expert Prof. G.Q. Max LU, Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, Australian Academy of Science, Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering, explores revolutionary advances in green hydrogen

rof. G.Q. Max LU, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Surrey in the United Kingdom, delivered the 39th PAIR Distinguished Lecture titled “Functional Nanomaterials for Green Hydrogen Production and Storage” on 20 May 2025 on the PolyU campus. The lecture drew over 60 attendees in person and captivated an online audience of more than 15,900 from different countries and regions who watched the live broadcast on social media platforms.

The 38th PAIR Distinguished Lecture: Prof. Pedro Alvarez, Member of the U.S. National Academy of Engineering, explores breakthroughs in nanotechnology for water treatment

Prof. Pedro Alvarez, George R. Brown Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Rice University, USA, delivered the 38th PAIR Distinguished Lecture titled “Nanotechnology-Enabled Water Treatment” on 6 May 2025 on the PolyU campus.

Prof. SO Kwok-fai, Academician of Chinese Academy of Sciences, shares lifestyle interventions for mental health at PAIR Distinguished Lecture

Prof. SO Kwok-fai, Director of GHM Institute of CNS Regeneration at Jinan University, Guangzhou, China, delivered the 37th PAIR Distinguished Lecture titled “Mental Health and Lifestyle Intervention” on 17 April 2025 on the PolyU campus. The lecture attracted about 100 participants to join in person and captivated an online audience of over 13,300 from different countries and regions who watched the live broadcast on multiple social media platforms, including Bilibili, WeChat, Weibo and YouTube

Notable scholar Prof. Jesse ZHU, Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and Canadian Academy of Engineering, advises graduate students on research career preparation at PAIR Distinguished Lecture

Prof. Jesse ZHU, Senior Advisor to the President, Eastern Institute of Technology, Ningbo, China, delivered the 36th PAIR Distinguished Lecture titled “Research Strategy and Planning: How to Prepare a Research Career?” on 12 March 2025 on the PolyU campus. The lecture attracted over 110 participants to join in person and captivated an online audience of over 13,300 from different countries and regions who watched the live broadcast on multiple social media platforms, including Bilibili, WeChat, Weibo and YouTube.