Our world would not exist in its present form without scientific research, which made scientists especially important for our society. But what makes a successful scientist? This is a question often raised by people who are pursuing a career in the scientific field. In this issue, four members of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) at HKU Science will share with us the paths of their scientific journeys, valuable research experiences, and youth experiences that shaped them to who they are today. Listen to their stories, learn from their experience and start your own fruitful adventure!

Professor Chi-Ming CHE
Zhou Guangzhao Professor in Natural Sciences and Head of Chemistry
Director of State Key Laboratory of Synthetic Chemistry
Director of HKU-CAS Joint Laboratory on New Materials
Director of Laboratory for Synthetic Chemistry and Chemical Biology
‘As a researcher, you can’t be too calculated because innovation is always out of expectation.’

Professor Ngaiming MOK
Edmund and Peggy Tse Professor in Mathematics & Chair Professor of the Department of Mathematics
‘The search for beauty and benevolence that binds truth-seekers in mathematics across generations will continue to enable the flourishing of mathematics.’

Professor Vivian Wing-Wah YAM
Philip Wong Wilson Wong Professor in Chemistry and Energy & Chair Professor of Chemistry
‘If you are passionate, dedicated, and believe in yourself, you can excel at anything.’

Professor Guochun ZHAO
Chair Professor, Department of Earth Sciences
‘The efforts are inevitably painstaking, and success always comes after dedication and struggles.’