I am excited to participate in the Hong Kong Laureate Forum to learn from distinguished Shaw Laureates in Life Science and Medicine, including Peter Walter and Kazutoshi Mori, whose groundbreaking research first inspired my pursuit of cell biology. Having attended their lectures at HKUST when they received the Shaw Prize, I have long hoped for the chance to speak with them in person. In addition, by taking part in the Forum’s diverse activities, I aim to broaden my understanding of interdisciplinary collaboration, build new connections with emerging researchers in Hong Kong, and contribute to a dynamic, global network.

The Forum’s commitment to bridging generations, cultures, and fields aligns perfectly with my belief in the power of collective wisdom to solve complex challenges. I look forward to exchanging ideas through seminars, workshops, and poster sessions, gaining fresh perspectives from cross-cultural dialogue. Ultimately, I hope to integrate these valuable experiences into my research pursuits, advancing scientific knowledge, enhancing societal well-being, and inspiring future generations of passionate scientists worldwide.

Mitotic centrosomes assemble when centrioles recruit large amounts of pericentriolar material (PCM) around themselves. The PCM comprises hundreds of proteins, and there is much debate about its physical nature. Here, we show that Drosophila Spd-2 (human CEP192) fluxes out from centrioles, recruiting Polo and Aurora A kinases to catalyze the assembly of two distinct mitotic-PCM scaffolds: a Polo-dependent Cnn scaffold, and an Aurora A–dependent TACC scaffold, which exhibit solid- and liquid-like behaviors, respectively. Both scaffolds can independently recruit PCM proteins, but both are required for proper centrosome assembly, with the Cnn scaffold providing mechanical strength, and the TACC scaffold concentrating centriole and centrosome proteins. Recruiting Spd-2 to synthetic beads injected into early embryos reconstitutes key aspects of mitotic centrosome assembly on the bead surface, and this depends on Spd-2’s ability to recruit Polo and Aurora A. Thus, Spd-2 orchestrates the assembly of two scaffolds, with distinct biophysical properties, that cooperate to build mitotic centrosomes in flies.