As a PhD candidate in neuroscience at EPFL, I study the neural circuits underlying motor control, investigating how the nervous system generates precise and adaptive limb movements. My research integrates neurobiology, biomechanics, and computational modeling, with potential applications in prosthetics and bio-inspired robotics.
The Hong Kong Laureate Forum offers a unique opportunity to engage with distinguished Shaw Laureates and fellow young scientists across disciplines. I am eager to exchange ideas on motor control with experts in life sciences and mathematics, as movement relies on principles from both fields. At the same time, I hope to broaden my knowledge by exploring breakthroughs in astronomy, mathematical sciences, and other areas beyond my expertise. Exposure to diverse perspectives fosters innovation, and I believe interdisciplinary discussions will enrich my approach to neuroscience research.
The Forum would also provide a valuable platform to share my research and receive feedback from experts and peers. As a nominee of the Croucher Foundation, I am keen to contribute to the advancement of science in Hong Kong by fostering collaborations and inspiring the next generation of researchers.
I would be honored to participate in this prestigious event and contribute to its dynamic intellectual community.

My research explores how the nervous system generates precise goal-directed limb movements., focusing on an underexplored reaching behavior in Drosophila melanogaster. In this behavior, a fly extends its middle leg toward a nearby conspecific, likely as a spacing signal. These movements require transforming sensory information into descending motor commands and subsequently into muscle activations, making it an ideal model for studying neural circuits underlying complex motor control.
To investigate the neural basis of reaching, I am characterizing its kinematics in 3D and testing its dependence on sensory modalities. Using a robotic system that delivers controlled stimulus trajectories, I systematically examine how spatial cues shape motor outputs. Additionally, I will employ high-throughput behavioral assays with targeted neuronal silencing to identify key brain regions involved. To uncover what information is represented at different stages of the neural pathways, I will use calcium imaging to record neural activity during reaching.
By integrating behavioral analyses, neural recordings and manipulations, connectomics, and computational modeling, my work aims to map the neural circuits mediating the full sensorimotor loop underlying reaching. This research enhances our understanding of biological motor control and offers insights that could inform the development of efficient bio-inspired robotic systems capable of adaptive movements.