Past Events

Harvard Professor SUO Zhigang Unveils Frontiers in Soft Materials, Bio-adhesion and Biomedical Applications

On 2 June 2026, Prof. SUO Zhigang, Foreign Member of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Member of both National Academy of Engineering and National Academy of Sciences in the USA, Allen E. and Marilyn M. Puckett Professor of Mechanics and Materials at Harvard University, USA, delivered a PAIR Distinguished Lecture titled “Adhesion between Soft Materials and Tissues” at the PolyU campus. The lecture was attended by more than 100 scholars, researchers and students in person, and nearly 16,000 online viewers across various social media platforms.

Bringing the Overlooked into Focus: Prof. Manuela FERREIRA on How Big Data Reveals the Global Burden of Musculoskeletal Conditions

On 28 May 2026, Prof. Manuela FERREIRA, Professor of Musculoskeletal Health at the University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia, delivered a PAIR seminar titled “High-Impact Research Using Big Data Analysis – The Global Burden of Disease Study”. The lecture attracted over 70 scholars and students onsite, alongside 15,000 plus online viewers streaming via various social media platforms. Prof. Ferreira’s engaging and lively presentation style resonated with the audience, as she posed relatable questions rooted in everyday experiences and effectively translated complex epidemiological concepts into clear and accessible insights.

Envisioning the Future: Academician PENG Shou on How Glass is Shaping the World of Tomorrow

On 27 May 2026, Prof. PENG Shou, Academician of Chinese Academy of Engineering and Chief Scientist of China National Building Material Group Co., Ltd. delivered a PAIR Distinguished Lecture titled “The Transparent Revolution that is Remoulding the Future” at the PolyU campus. The lecture attracted an audience of nearly 100 scholars, researchers and students onsite, and over 14,700 online viewers across various social media platforms.

Unlocking the Brain: Cambridge NeuroWorks–PolyU PAIR Joint Seminar Debuts with Breakthroughs in Neurotechnology

On 27 May 2026, the Cambridge NeuroWorks and PolyU PAIR Joint Seminar Series made its debut, opening with a keynote delivered by renowned neurosurgeon Prof. Edward CHANG from the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). The event marked the launch of a new collaboration between the University of Cambridge and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU). Co-hosted by Prof. George MALLIARAS, Cambridge NeuroWorks Scientific Lead and Prince Philip Professor of Technology at the University of Cambridge, and Prof. CHEN Qingyan, Director of the PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research (PAIR) and Chair Professor of Building Thermal Science at PolyU, the online seminar drew over 14,000 viewers worldwide from academia, industry, and the public.

Empowering Tomorrow: Academician GUO Wanlin on the Evolution Toward Hydrovoltaic Intelligence

On 22 May 2026, Prof. GUO Wanlin, Member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Founder of the International Institute for Frontier Science at Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics (NUAA), delivered a PAIR Distinguished Lecture titled “From Artificial Intelligence (AI) to Hydrovoltaics Intelligence (HI)” at the PolyU campus. The lecture attracted an audience of nearly 60 scholars, researchers and students onsite, and over 15,200 online viewers across various social media platforms.

Decoding the Decoction: Prof. LAO Lixing on Navigating the Rigours and Realities of Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinical Trials

On 13 May 2026, Prof. LAO Lixing, President of Virginia University of Integrative Medicine, United States, delivered a PAIR Seminar titled “Clinical Trials on Chinese Herbal Medicine, Methodology and Challenges” at the PolyU campus. The seminar attracted an audience of over 40 scholars, researchers, practitioners and students onsite, and over 13,300 online viewers across various social media platforms.

Designing Materials the Lego Building Way: Prof. Stephen Z. D. Cheng on New Strategies for Giant Molecule Design

On 11 May 2026, Prof. Stephen Z. D. CHENG, Member of the National Academy of Engineering, USA, and Dean and Honourable Professor of School of Emergent Soft Matter, South China University of Technology, delivered a PAIR Distinguished Lecture titled “Superlattice Engineering of Soft Alloys in Giant Molecules” at the PolyU campus. The lecture attracted an audience of over 50 scholars, researchers and students onsite, and nearly 14,300 online viewers across various social media platforms.

Unlocking New Perceptual Dimensions: Prof. ZHANG Jie on AI’s Leap from Vision to Sound and Vibration Sensing

On 23 April 2026, Prof. ZHANG Jie, Chair Professor in Faculty of Business for Science and Technology, University of Science and Technology of China, delivered a PAIR Distinguished Lecture titled “Machine Listening: Extending AI from Vision to Sound and Vibration Sensing” at the PolyU campus. The lecture attracted almost 100 scholars, researchers and students onsite, and nearly 16,000 online viewers across various social media platforms to explore how the emerging field of “machine listening” is transforming urban monitoring, disaster prevention, and infrastructure safety.

From one-way caregiving to intergenerational inclusion: Prof. JIN Ying of University of Cambridge on reimagining cities amid the longevity revolution

On 14 April 2026, Prof. JIN Ying, Professor of Architecture and Urbanism and Director of Studies for Robinson College of the University of Cambridge, delivered a PAIR Seminar titled “What does improving longevity mean for the future of our cities?” at the PolyU campus. The seminar attracted nearly 100 entrepreneurs, scholars, researchers and students joining onsite, and over 16,400 online viewers across various social media platforms to explore how the global “longevity revolution” is reshaping urban space, cultural activities, and socio-economic development.

Prevention is better than cure: Prof. Eugene B. CHANG reexamines “health” through the lens of microbiome ecology

On 30 March 2026, Prof. Eugene B. CHANG, Martin Boyer Distinguished Professor at the University of Chicago (UChicago), delivered a PAIR Distinguished Lecture, titled “Microbiome Medicine: Understanding Health and Disease through the Lens of Ecological and Evolutionary Principles” at the PolyU campus. The seminar drew nearly 100 researchers, clinicians and students joining onsite, and over 15,400 online viewers across various social media platforms to learn about the burgeoning field of the “gut microbial organ”.