Every major scientific breakthrough begins with an idea. PolyU was honoured to invite two of the world’s most brilliant thinkers – 2010 Nobel Laureate in Physics, Professor Andre Geim, and 2020 Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine, Professor Harvey James Alter – to share their world-changing research journeys at the recent “Together with Scientists” event. 

Co-organised with the Hong Kong Alumni Association of Beijing Universities (HKAABJU), the event provided an opportunity to showcase outstanding research outcomes, offer unique insights, and inspire innovative thinking. As one of the highlights of the 2025 Hong Kong World Youth Science Conference, the event brought together over 150 faculty members, students, scholars and researchers onsite to explore cutting-edge scientific issues, while more than 126,000 participants joined online.

In his welcome remarks, PolyU President Professor Jin-Guang Teng, expressed gratitude to the two Nobel Prize winners for their exceptional contributions to science. He reiterated PolyU’s commitment to being an innovative world class university dedicated to advancing research initiatives. 

“The University has established numerous research institutes and research centres, including the PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research (PAIR), and more recently, the PolyU Academy for Artificial Intelligence (PAAI). Additionally, PolyU is actively pursuing the goal of establishing Hong Kong’s third medical school, with AI as a key enabler,” he said.

Professor Geim highlighted the diverse applications of graphene in his keynote address entitled “Wonder Materials”. Alongside physicist Konstantin Novoselov, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2010 for pioneering research on two-dimensional graphene. Today, his research spans nanomaterials and buoyancy quantum states. Currently, Professor Geim serves as the Director of both the Manchester Centre for Mesoscience and Nanotechnology and the Shenzhen Geim Graphene Center at the Tsinghua–Berkeley Shenzhen Institute. He also holds prestigious titles as a Foreign Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, a Fellow of the Royal Society, and a Foreign Academician of the National Academy of Sciences in the United States.  

A Distinguished National Institutes of Health (NIH) Investigator, Professor Alter offered the audience of university students some insights on the “Roadmap to Success”. He received the 2020 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, alongside virologists Michael Houghton and Charles M. Rice, for discovering the Hepatitis C virus. The research, which established that Hepatitis C is a separate viral disease, led to testing methods that ensure blood safety. This work has significantly advanced the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of Hepatitis C, saving millions of lives.

During the panel discussion moderated by Professor Wang Zuankai, PolyU Associate Vice President (Research and Innovation), Professor Geim offered valuable advice to students and emerging researchers on focusing their expertise, while also exploring new avenues for innovative research. He highlighted the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in cultivating truly groundbreaking discoveries. 

Professor Alter echoed these insights, encouraging attendees to remain observant and persistent. He shared his philosophy that “there is no elevator to success – one must take the stairs”, underscoring the deliberate, step-by-step nature of scientific achievement. Professor Alter also emphasised the transformative impact of mentorship on both personal development and professional advancement in scientific careers.

Prof. Andre Geim discussed the various applications of graphene in his presentation.

Prof. Harvey James Alter shared his perspectives and experiences under the theme of “Roadmap to Success”.