The latest "Research Mingle" event on October 31, 2024 (Thursday) brought together innovative minds from two of our Rising Stars, Professor MA Guancong, Professor of the Department of Physics, and Dr Eugene Birman, Associate Professor and Acting Director of the Academy of Music, who both inspired our young scholars and students with their unique approaches to integrating technology and creativity in their respective disciplines and developing their projects.

Professor Ma captivated the audience with his exploration of non-Hermitian topological mechanics, a groundbreaking area of research that challenges conventional physics. He began his presentation by sharing personal anecdotes from his mountain climbing expeditions, drawing parallels between the challenges of scaling peaks and the innovative hurdles in his research. His engaging storytelling provided a deeper understanding of his work, where he explained that unconventional physical effects can be achieved through precise mechanical control. Using a vivid analogy to underscore the importance of finesse in manipulation, his engaging approach not only deepened the attendees' understanding of non-Hermitian topological mechanics but also inspired them to consider innovative methodologies in their own research endeavors.

Dr Birman followed with a thought-provoking presentation on the integration of technology in musical performances, emphasising the importance of connecting music to various disciplines. With a background in multidisciplinary training, he has collaborated with major international bodies, and other HKBU researchers, to synthesise virtuosic musical content with cutting-edge technology, including large-scale holography, immersive opera environments, and interactive digital media, inspiring the participants on how to create internal and external collaborations. Through these endeavours, he seeks to transcend traditional artistic boundaries, driving real-world impact and fundamentally transforming the future of stage performance to deliver meaningful societal benefits.

After the two insightful presentations, attendees expressed great enthusiasm for learning more about the two rising stars, like the challenges throughout their research journeys and their project management skills. They showed a strong desire to explore the future of their specialised research fields and interdisciplinary studies. Professor Ma and Dr Birman shared valuable insights and encouraged the young scholars to be bold and pursue new opportunities.

This "Research Mingle" event not only showcased the innovative work of Professor Ma and Dr Birman but also reinforced our commitment to fostering a vibrant research community. The event was elevated by the contributions of two distinguished speakers and our engaging event MC, Dr Dimple Thadani from the School of Business.

For more upcoming events of the "Research Mingle" series, please stay tuned to our event page. Discover more exciting research news, events, and stories of our talented HKBU researchers on our LinkedIn page.