Exploring the Frontiers of Science: A Student’s Journey to an International Influenza Conference

With the generous support of the Faculty of Science under the Young Scientist Scheme (YSS), I recently had the privilege of attending the 12^th Options for the Control of Influenza, an international conference dedicated to influenza and other respiratory viruses, held in Brisbane, Australia. This eye-opening experience provided an invaluable opportunity for me to engage with leading experts in the field and delve deeper into cutting-edge research on respiratory virology.
 
I am currently a final-year Bachelor of Science student majoring in Biochemistry at HKU, conducting my capstone project under the guidance of Professors Michael Chan and Kenrie Hui from the School of Public Health. My project focuses on investigating the pathogenesis of infection and virus-host interactions. Specifically, we utilize primary respiratory organoid cultures as a physiologically relevant alternative to human respiratory tissue explant for studying viral infections. Our goal is to enhance the risk assessment workflow with Bulk RNAseq transcriptomics analysis to better understand and compare the pathogenesis of emerging respiratory viruses, such as SARS-CoV-2.

Participating in this conference broadened my perspective on respiratory virus research. The event featured seminars and presentations on a range of topics, including zoonotic influenza virus spillover, vaccine development, and antiviral efficacy. Beyond the main conference, I also attended the Mini-School of Influenza, a lecture-based programme covering foundational concepts in respiratory virology, public health, epidemiology, surveillance, and research-driven vaccine development. These sessions complemented my studies at HKU and provided an advanced extension of the knowledge I have gained.
 
A highlight of the conference was the chance to exchange ideas with researchers from around the world. I had the pleasure of meeting Associate Professor Claire Smith from University College London’s Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, whose research interests and focuses on using primary human epithelial respiratory virus infection models, including respiratory syncytial virus, influenza virus, and coronavirus. In particular, her group has been exploring the incorporation of neutrophils into these models to study their responses during viral infection. This interesting expansion of the in vitro models provides a valuable approach to studying immune cell response and their contribution to disease progression. 
 
The experience was not limited to academic pursuits. While in Brisbane, I explored the city’s vibrant culture and unique wildlife. A visit to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary allowed me to experience the unique Australian wildlife and biodiversity firsthand. Additionally, I enjoyed a memorable breakfast at the historic Pancake Manor, housed in St Luke’s Church of England, a building dating back to 1904. These moments added depth to my trip, offering a balance of scientific enrichment and cultural discovery.
 
Reflecting on this experience, I am deeply grateful to the Faculty of Science for supporting my participation at the 12^th edition of Options for the Control of Influenza. Attending the conference not only expanded my understanding of current trends and challenges in respiratory virology but also confirmed my passion for this field. It has inspired me to pursue PhD studies focused on virus-host interactions, marking a significant milestone in my academic journey.