PAIR Distinguished Lectures

From material science discoveries to clinical innovations: Organic bionics expert Prof. Gordon WALLACE explores the immense potential of 3D biofabrication at PAIR Distinguished Lecture

On 3 March 2026, Prof. Gordon WALLACE of University of Wollongong delivered a PAIR Distinguished Lecture titled “Discoveries in Organic Bionics, 3D Biofabrication and Deployment of Solutions to Clinical Challenges” at the PolyU campus. The event attracted over 120 in-person participants and reached an impressive online audience of nearly 16,000 across various social media platforms.

Lab-based X-rays driving breakthroughs in mechanics: Cambridge’s Prof. Vikram Deshpande shares insights

Prof. Vikram DESHPANDE of the University of Cambridge delivered a PAIR Distinguished Lecture titled “New measurement strategies for data-driven mechanics” on 26 February 2026 at the PolyU campus. The event attracted nearly 100 in-person participants and reached an impressive online audience of more than 15,700 across various social media platforms.

Safe water for all: Prof. Daigger, Foreign Academician of Chinese Academy of Engineering. shares insights on global water trends and priorities

On 2 February 2026, Prof. Glen DAIGGER of University of Michigan delivered a PAIR Distinguished Lecture titled “Global Water Management Trends” at the PolyU campus. The event attracted nearly 110 in-person participants and reached an impressive online audience of more than 16,900 across various social media platforms.

Bridging science, technology and policy: Prof. Daniel M. KAMMEN’s call for a just energy transition

Prof. Daniel M. Kammen of Johns Hopkins University delivered a PAIR Distinguished Lecture titled “Innovation and Cooperation for the Just Energy Transition” on 26 January 2026 at the PolyU campus. The event attracted nearly 100 in-person participants and reached an impressive online audience of more than 16,200 across various social media platforms.

Revolutionising sustainable distributed energy: Prof. WANG Zhonglin, Foreign Member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, delivers Distinguished Lecture on TENGs

On 7 January 2026, Prof. WANG Zhonglin, Director of Beijing Institute of Nanoenergy and Nanosystems, Chinese Academy of Sciences, delivered a PAIR Distinguished Lecture titled “Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENG) for sustainable energy and sensing”. The event drew a full house at the Chiang Chen Studio Theatre, with over 240 in-person participants, and reached an impressive online audience of more than 16,600 across social media platforms.

When physics meets biology: Prof. Yeomans, Fellow of the Royal Society, unravels how mechanical forces sculpt tissue shape

Prof. Julia M. YEOMANS of the University of Oxford, UK, delivered a PAIR Distinguished Lecture titled “Active Matter meets mechanobiology: Evading the decay to equilibrium” on 18 December 2025. The event drew over 70 in-person participants and an online audience exceeding 15,500 across various social media platforms.

Harnessing sensors and AI for sustainable urban futures: Insights from Prof. Banthia, Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and Canadian Academy of Engineering

Prof. Nemkumar BANTHIA of The University of British Columbia, Canada, delivered a PAIR Distinguished Lecture titled “Toward Carbon-Neutral Cities: Sensors and Cyber-Physical Networks for Green Infrastructure” on 17 December 2025. The event attracted over 90 in-person participants and an online audience of more than 17,900 across various social media platforms.

Conformal bioelectronic interfaces for enhanced human–machine interaction: Prof. CHEN Xiaodong, Fellow of the Royal Society delivers PAIR Distinguished Lecture

Prof. CHEN Xiaodong of Nanyang Technological University in Singapore delivered a PAIR Distinguished Lecture titled “Conformal Bioelectronic Interface” on 24 November 2025 at PolyU. The event attracted over 80 in-person participants and an online audience of over 15,300 across various social media platforms.

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.