Dear Members of the Organising Committee,

Thank you for your consideration of my application to join the Life Sciences and Medicine stream of The 2nd Hong Kong Laureate Forum. As I near the completion of my PhD thesis on the cardiovascular complications associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 vaccines, my current research—coupled with enrolment in the first year of the Doctor of Medicine program in Australia—places me at a critical nexus of cutting-edge biomedical research and clinical application. I am confident that my attendance will both contribute significantly to the intellectual milieu of the forum and afford me invaluable opportunities to expand my academic and professional horizons.

I hope to participate in creatively stimulating, cross-disciplinary dialogue, foster new collaborative relationships, and catalyse innovative approaches to longstanding scientific challenges. Concomitantly, the exceptional learning environment of the forum, exposure to leading scientists from around the globe, and visits to state-of-the-art scientific development projects and research institutions in Hong Kong will lend firsthand insight into advanced technological applications and innovative research practices, facilitating the cross-pollination of ideas and providing a broader context for my own research endeavours.

Thank you for consideration.

An estimated 65 million people globally suffer from post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC), with many experiencing cardiovascular symptoms (PASC-CVS) like chest pain and heart palpitations. This study examines the role of chronic inflammation in PASC-CVS, particularly in individuals with symptoms persisting over a year after infection. Blood samples from three groups—recovered individuals, those with prolonged PASC-CVS and SARS-CoV-2-negative individuals—revealed that those with PASC-CVS had a blood signature linked to inflammation. Trace-level pro-inflammatory cytokines were detected in the plasma from donors with PASC-CVS 18 months post infection using nanotechnology. Importantly, these trace-level cytokines affected the function of primary human cardiomyocytes. Plasma proteomics also demonstrated higher levels of complement and coagulation proteins in the plasma from patients with PASC-CVS. This study highlights chronic inflammation’s role in the symptoms of PASC-CVS.