43 oscillations in the future to see how different they are. In a broader sense, the experiment may shed light on why only matter exists in the universe, and perhaps even help to answer the question, “Why do we exist?” Prof. Luk, as a co-leader of this ground-breaking experiment, was awarded the 2016 Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics and the 2019 Future Science Prize in Physical Sciences. His research into the neutrino has opened up new opportunities for discovery in the field of subatomic physics, and also paved the way for the future understanding of matterantimatter asymmetry in the universe. Prof. Luk has a list of awards and honors that could reach the moon, but he didn’t fall into this level of acclaim overnight; nor did he do it alone. Prof. Luk’s work not only demonstrates the power of cross-border collaboration in research, but also the value of addressing fundamental questions in science. In 2021, Prof. Luk chose to return to Hong Kong and join HKUST, where he continues to devote himself to leading research in particle physics. Hong Kong, as an international city with excellent infrastructure, is well-positioned for this visionary scholar’s research to advance knowledge for humankind. The stakes may be higher these days, and the projects much more ambitious, but Prof. Luk still works with the same spirit of taking things apart and putting them back together again that so captivated him as a little boy. His key piece of advice? Have a dream or a goal, then all you need is the passion, persistence, and endurance to pursue it.
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