The Hong Kong Laureate Forum offers an exceptional opportunity to engage with the world's leading scientists, fostering collaboration across diverse disciplines to address global challenges. I am eager to contribute to and learn from the Forum's discussions, particularly in the field of Life Science and Medicine. The Forum's emphasis on pioneering research aligns with my commitment to developing novel therapies for inflammatory and infectious diseases.

As a PhD candidate at the University of Queensland, my research focuses on synthesising small molecule inhibitors for inflammasome-related diseases and exploring the therapeutic potential of antifungal peptides. Participating in the Forum will provide a unique opportunity to share my work with like-minded experts and peers, exchange innovative ideas, and gain valuable insights into interdisciplinary approaches. I am particularly keen to learn from the esteemed Shaw Laureates and pioneers in drug discovery and translational science to further advance my research.

This experience will enable me to forge meaningful professional connections, gain inspiration for my future career, and contribute to the global exchange of scientific knowledge and its transformative applications.

The University of Queensland

My research focuses on the development of novel therapeutics targeting inflammasome pathways and invasive fungal infections (IFIs), two critical areas of unmet medical need. I am investigating the NLRP3 and AIM2 inflammasomes, which play central roles in chronic inflammation associated with autoimmune disorders and neurodegenerative conditions, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. Specifically, I am developing a series of compounds derived from a lead molecule that exhibits dual inhibitory activity against both the NLRP3 and AIM2 inflammasomes. This work aims to modulate the overactivation of these pathways and mitigate excessive cytokine release, thereby advancing treatments for inflammatory disorders.

Concurrently, I am exploring cationic cyclic peptides (CCPs) as novel therapies for IFIs. Fungal pathogens, including Candida albicans, Candida auris, and Cryptococcus neoformans, are becoming increasingly resistant to existing antifungal treatments. My research focuses on optimising CCPs through structure-activity relationship studies to enhance their broad-spectrum efficacy. These efforts present promising therapeutic strategies for addressing both chronic inflammatory diseases and multidrug-resistant fungal infections, with significant potential to improve patient outcomes and address urgent clinical challenges.