I am excited to apply for participation in the Hong Kong Laureate Forum. As a postdoctoral researcher in multi-omic psychiatric research, this forum offers a unique opportunity to engage with distinguished Shaw Laureates and scientists, facilitating vital collaborations to advance my work.

My current research integrates genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics to unravel biological mechanisms underlying psychiatric disorders. The goal is to identify biomarkers and novel therapeutic targets to enhance personalized psychiatric care. Attending the Forum's seminars, discussions, and poster sessions will significantly enrich my research approach and scientific network.

The program’s emphasis on interactive seminars, discussion groups, and poster sessions aligns closely with my goal to communicate my research effectively and to gain valuable feedback from experts across diverse fields. Additionally, the opportunity to visit Hong Kong’s premier scientific development projects and institutions promises to enhance my understanding of innovative technological applications that could significantly advance psychiatric research. Furthermore, I am particularly drawn to the forum’s cross-cultural dimension, recognizing that scientific collaboration transcends borders and benefits profoundly from diverse cultural insights. Engaging with young scientists from around the world in this vibrant setting will undoubtedly facilitate meaningful connections and long-lasting collaborations.

The Lancet-World Psychiatric Association Commission emphasises the critical need for a multidimensional approach in MDD research to tackle the challenges of its heterogeneity in research and clinical contexts. I am working on a three-year collaborative project between Sweden and the UK is highly relevant. Building on the hypothesis that metabolic alternations may play a crucial role in MDD heterogeneity, the project aims to examine this hypothesis and leverage insights gained into metabolomic-informed biomarkers for clinical application. Specifically, I am (i) conducting a metabolome-wide analysis using UK biobank data with causal mechanism investigation to determine the metabolic underpinnings of MDD heterogeneity, (ii) developing metabolomic scores for MDD manifestations and validate their applicability in seven independent cohorts, and (iii) constructing DNA-methylation-based epigenetic scores for metabolomics and a multiple omics-based integrated model for MDD manifestations and health outcomes prognosis. Achieving this project will deepen the current understanding of the biological mechanisms of MDD heterogeneity and deliver vigorously validated biomarkers to inform clinical decision-making processes. The anticipated advancements will accelerate the shift towards patient-centred, mechanism-directed precision medicine for MDD, ultimately benefiting patients with tailored treatment and improved overall well-being.