HKUST Physicist Elected as a Member of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences

Prof. LUK Kam-Biu, IAS Paul C W Chu Professor, Chair Professor of the Department of Physics and Director of the Center for Fundamental Physics at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), has been elected a Member of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences (NAS) in recognition of his outstanding contributions to fundamental physics. This accolade not only affirms his pioneering achievements in cutting-edge basic science but also highlights HKUST's international influence in attracting world-class scholars and driving frontier research. The NAS recently announced the election of 120 members and 25 international members in recognition of their distinguished and continuing achievements in original research.

Prof. Nancy IP, President of HKUST, extended her heartfelt congratulations, stating: "Prof. Luk’s receipt of this esteemed honor is a fitting recognition of his years of dedication to fundamental science and his unwavering courage in exploring the unknown. I am particularly inspired by the extraordinary perseverance and passion for discovery that he and his team have demonstrated in their neutrino research. Prof. Luk’s breakthrough findings on neutrino oscillation have redefined humanity’s understanding of the fundamental structure of the universe. HKUST will continue to fully support our professors as they delve deep into basic research, because every profound insight into the laws of nature opens yet another window into the unknown."

Prof. Luk expressed his deep honor at receiving this recognition from the NAS, saying: "This honor allows me to speak with a more influential voice to the public and the global scientific community about the vital importance of scientific research. Curiosity has always driven me forward on my scientific journey. To me, research is like solving a puzzle; the 'Eureka' moments are always incredibly exciting. Whether observing the unexpected behavior of neutrinos or determining the properties of exotic particles, my ultimate goal is to explore the deepest mysteries of the universe and work tirelessly to expand the boundaries of human knowledge."

Prof. Luk is an internationally renowned experimental particle physicist who has long dedicated himself to detecting elusive microscopic particles often referred to as "ghost particles." His early research focused on the production and decay of strange baryons, charmed, and bottom particles. In the early 1980s, he searched for the top quark and Higgs boson through dilepton channels and also sought the axion.

Since the turn of the century, his research focus has shifted to neutrino oscillation. His best-known achievement was initiating and co-leading the Daya Bay Reactor Neutrino Experiment in 2003. In 2012, the experiment produced the first measurement of the smallest neutrino mixing angle, marking a milestone that opened a new era of neutrino oscillation research.

For this outstanding result, he was a co-recipient of the Panofsky Prize in Experimental Particle Physics from the American Physical Society in 2014. As a leader of the Daya Bay experiment, he also shared the 2016 Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics with four other experimental teams for their contributions to neutrino oscillation research. In addition, he received the Future Science Prize in Physical Sciences in 2019 and the High Energy and Particle Physics Prize from the European Physical Society in 2023.

Prof. Luk received his BSc degree in Physics from The University of Hong Kong in 1976 and subsequently earned his PhD from Rutgers University in the United States in 1983. He has had a distinguished academic career, conducting research at the University of Washington, Fermilab, and the University of California, Berkeley. He is currently a Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Physics at UC Berkeley and returned to Hong Kong to join HKUST in 2021. Prof. Luk is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and The Academy of Sciences of Hong Kong, as well as a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the American Physical Society.