A Personal Perspective on Doing Good Research Seminar Series – Prof Chen Xi: A Vision for the Future of Engineering Science

The second session of the A Personal Perspective on Doing Good Research Seminar Series for the 2025/26 academic year, organised by the School of Graduate Studies of Lingnan University, was held on 28 October 2025. It featured an interesting talk titled Engineering Science as the Building Block for the Future by Prof Chen Xi, Dean of the School of Interdisciplinary Studies and Chair Professor of Interdisciplinary Studies, and was attended by about 60 faculty members and students.

A leading scholar in engineering science and sustainability, and recognised as one of the international pioneers in distributed carbon dioxide capture and utilisation, Prof Chen’s research addresses real-world challenges in energy, environment, nanotechnology, and biology. He has been very involved in scientific research and development related to carbon neutrality for over ten years.

Prof Chen obtained his PhD in Solid Mechanics from Harvard University. Before joining Lingnan, he was a tenured Professor in the Department of Earth and Environmental Engineering and the Director of the Earth Engineering Center at Columbia University, and has published over 400 SCI papers, which have been cited more than 20,000 times with an H-index of above 80. His outstanding academic achievements have earned him numerous honours, including the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE), the highest recognition for young scholars by the US government.

Prof Chen gave a fascinating account of his journey from gifted child to leading researcher in mechanics and engineering sciences. He underscored the importance of motivation and seeking guidance from inspiring mentors. Throughout his presentation, the professor reiterated that engineering science is a vital foundation for future scientific and technological advancements, highlighting his contributions to fruit morphology applied to mechanical solutions and carbon dioxide capture and utilisation, as well as other notable industrial developments. He also pointed out the “next hot areas” in research, highlighting trends he has observed in water desalination, purification, and collection, and the challenges of exploring and using the deep ocean.

To conclude, Prof Chen emphasised that motivation is the cornerstone of all success, and encouraged students to harness their creativity. “Find things that others may overlook. Open up new areas and make your studies impact other fields. Think differently.” He also stressed the importance of seizing opportunities as they arise, and actively creating one’s own opportunities.

Zhang Ruifeng, a PhD student from the School of Interdisciplinary Studies, commented that Prof Chen's presentation was both perceptive and motivating. He appreciated the professor talking about his own experiences as well as emphasising the critical importance of building a broad knowledge base and identifying emerging research trends. “This session was not only inspiring, but also equipped me with a clearer roadmap to success in academia,” Zhang said.

The A Personal Perspective on Doing Good Research Seminar Series invites senior university management and leading scholars to share their research journeys and perspectives, and initiates in-depth exchanges among doctoral students, early-career researchers, and academics on how to conduct the best research.

The next seminar will be held on 26 November 2025, when Prof William Hayward, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, and Chair Professor of Psychology will deliver a talk titled How a Life in Hong Kong Shaped My Career as a Cognitive Scientist on how his experiences living in Hong Kong have influenced his research on facial recognition among non-white individuals. He will also discuss how his own encounters with fatigue and hallucinations during ultramarathon running have generated his academic interest in Cognitive Science.