Academicians Campus Tour: Professor K.F. So Visits K S Lo College to Unveil the Mysteries of Neural Regeneration

2026-05-09

On 8 May, 2026, the Academicians Campus Tour, organised by The Greater Bay Area Association of Academicians (GBAAA), paid a visit to The Hong Kong Management Association K S Lo College. Professor K.F. So—Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Fellow of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering, and Director of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration (GHMICR) of Jinan University—delivered an inspiring presentation titled "The Journey of Constant Self-Improvement." Blending profound brain science with personal life experiences, Professor So provided the students with a captivating presentation full of both scientific depth and humanistic warmth.

Professor So with All Teachers and Students

How deep are the mysteries of the human brain? Can nerve cells truly "return from the dead"? In a relaxed and lively atmosphere, Professor So used vivid diagrams and accessible language to introduce the fundamentals of the nervous system, offering a detailed analysis of everything from brain structure to the mysteries of neurons and glial cells. He clearly laid out the three major objectives of the "Century of the Brain" for the students: understanding the brain, protecting the brain, and developing the brain. Connecting science to daily life, Professor So highlighted the positive impact of physical exercise on brain health. "Life lies in movement," he noted humorously. "To live well, you must move!" This practical lifestyle wisdom resonated strongly with the faculty and students in attendance.

Beyond his scientific achievements, Professor So shared stories from his time studying at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the pivotal life choices he faced when deciding whether to stay in the United States or return home. Reflecting on his resolute decision to return and work in his homeland, he remarked, "When you are genuinely interested in what you do, you don't view it as a sacrifice. You see the ability to get things done as an exciting challenge." His pure love for science and deep sense of patriotism were met with enthusiastic applause from the audience.

During the Q&A session, students eagerly raised questions. Professor So listened patiently and answered each question based on his personal philosophy of life. When asked, "Can neural regeneration technology be applied to the human body to help patients who are brain-dead or paralysed?", Professor So explained that this is the ultimate goal, noting that preliminary success has already been observed in two patients in Beijing. He revealed, "We use wolfberry extract to protect damaged cells. If the cells have already died, we use a 'chocolate-like biomaterial' combined with neurotrophic factors to promote neural regeneration." He then encouraged the students by adding, "Being a scientist allows you to do what you love, secure funding for research, make friends all over the world, and constantly explore the unknown."

Professor So (left) and His Artwork On-site

As the event drew to a close, Professor So presented the students with his own handwritten calligraphy pieces: "Constant Self-Improvement" (自強不息) and "Scaling New Heights" (更上一層樓). These pieces served not only as a reflection of his own decades-long scientific career but also as a heartfelt expectation for the new generation of students.

Through this lecture,Professor So not only lifted the veil of mystery surrounding neuroscience but also embodied the true spirit of a scientist through his legendary life journey and profound love for his country. This cross-generational, cross-disciplinary dialogue allowed students to appreciate the beauty of science in a relaxed and joyful atmosphere, sparking their confidence and determination to explore the unknown and reach new heights in science and technology.

About the GBAAA "Academicians Campus Tour" Initiative

As a pivotal platform for nurturing innovation and technology talents in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, GBAAA launched the "Academicians Campus Tour" initiative this year. The program invites academicians from both the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering to visit campuses, delivering scientific knowledge and promoting the spirit of science among youth through thematic lectures and face-to-face exchanges. The "Academicians Campus Tour" not only allows students to experience the charisma of top-tier scientists up close but also provides them with deeper insights into the nation's latest achievements in fundamental sciences, engineering technologies, life and medical sciences, and sustainable urban development. This initiative helps broaden their horizons in cutting-edge technology, strengthen their confidence in innovation, and cultivates a new generation of talent to support Hong Kong’s vision of becoming an international innovation and technology centre.