Professor Ferenc Krausz, Nobel Laureate and newly appointed Chair Professor in the Department of Physics under the Faculty of Science at the University of Hong Kong (HKU), presented his inaugural lecture titled "Toward Affordable Preventive Healthcare: Basic Science Addressing Grand Challenges" on 7 November. The lecture, held at the Grand Hall of the Lee Shau Kee Lecture Centre on the Centennial Campus, explored the profound implications of attosecond physics for medical diagnostics and public health.

Professor Ferenc Krausz, Nobel Laureate and newly appointed Chair Professor in the Department of Physics under the Faculty of Science

The event drew an audience of over 800 participants from academic, policy, and student communities. Distinguished attendees included Professor Xiang Zhang, President and Vice-Chancellor of HKU; Mr Chris Sun Yuk-han, Secretary for Labour and Welfare; Dr Choi Yuk-lin, Secretary for Education; and Dr Pál Kertész, Consul General of Hungary in Hong Kong. Their collective presence underscored the interdisciplinary significance of Professor Krausz's pioneering research, which effectively bridges the domains of fundamental physics, medical innovation, and public policy development.

Professor Xiang Zhang makes welcome remarks.

“A luminary in ultrafast laser science and quantum optics, Professor Krausz’s arrival will bring new dimensions to HKU’s research excellence, further solidifying our global leadership in upstream research and opening new frontiers that transform both science and society,” Professor Xiang Zhang said in his welcome remarks, “This will also reinforce Hong Kong’s growing stature as a global hub for scientific excellence. As a beacon for world-class talent, HKU is committed to fostering an environment where curiosity, collaboration, and innovation meet, with a view to shaping a better future for the humanity and the world.”

Dr Choi Yuk-lin, Secretary for Education, attended the lecture.

Dr Choi Yuk-lin said, “Hong Kong offers an exceptional environment for global research talent, making it a prime destination for conducting research. Professor Krausz's joining of the University of Hong Kong underscores Hong Kong's standing as a globally outstanding research hub and the University's grand development vision. Hong Kong is committed to investment in education, talent and research. With active optimisation and comprehensive enhancement of research capabilities, we are leveraging the strengths of our world-class universities to drive institutions’ capacity expansion and quality enhancement. Throughout the process of inviting Professor Krausz to the city, the HKSAR Government has been maintaining close communication and liaison with HKU. We are delighted to see leading talents settling in Hong Kong and look forward to welcoming more internationally renowned scholars to develop their careers here, injecting fresh momentum into research advancement.”

Mr Chris Sun Yuk-han, Secretary for Labour, attended the lecture.

Mr Chris Sun said, “The addition of Professor Krausz to the University of Hong Kong not only demonstrates Hong Kong’s prominent position in scientific research, but also highlights the city’s status as a top global talent hub, as well as the significant results and international impact brought about by the Government’s talent policies. I look forward to seeing more world-class scholars and students from overseas follow suit, further strengthening Hong Kong’s role as a global talent hub and building it into an international hub for high-caliber talents, while deepening global exchanges and cooperation.”Professor Krausz stands among the foremost architects of attosecond physics, a revolutionary field that captures electron dynamics at inconceivably brief timescales. His contributions have been recognised with the highest honours in science, including the 2023 Nobel Prize in Physics for developing attosecond metrology.

Professor Krausz during the lecture

During his lecture, Professor Krausz elucidated how these scientific breakthroughs are now poised to transform global healthcare. By leveraging attosecond metrology, researchers can detect minute molecular changes in human blood, offering a window into early-stage health anomalies long before clinical symptoms manifest. This paradigm shift toward precision preventive medicine holds the potential to significantly reduce healthcare costs while improving outcomes, addressing one of society’s most pressing challenges.

The event drew an audience of over 800 participants.

The lecture represents HKU’s commitment to interdisciplinary research excellence. Professor Krausz’s appointment strengthens the University’s leadership in bridging fundamental science and real-world applications, reinforcing its brand-new vision of becoming “a world-leading university transforming humanity’s future”.

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