Prof. Law Kam-Tuen, Chair Professor of the Department of Physics and Director of the Research Office at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), has been recognized as a “New Cornerstone Investigator” by the Tencent-funded New Cornerstone Science Foundation. This prestigious award will provide up to RMB 15 million over five years to support his pioneering research in quantum physics. Among 35 distinguished scientists selected nationwide this year, Prof. Law is the only recipient from Hong Kong, highlighting HKUST’s prominent role in fundamental scientific research.
In his response to the honor, Prof. Law expressed deep gratitude, stating, “I am deeply honoured to be selected as a ‘New Cornerstone Investigator.’ The funding will allow me to freely explore new quantum phenomena in flat band materials, where the kinetic energy of electrons is nearly completely quenched. My goal is to make discoveries in quantum materials that could eventually lead to new designs for electronic and photonic devices. I also plan to use the generous support from Tencent to provide better resources for our young researchers and train the next generation of physicists at HKUST. The award will help us fulfill our mission of establishing HKUST as a global hub for quantum materials research.”
Significance of the Award
Prof. Tim Cheng Kwang-Ting, Vice-President for Research and Development at HKUST, congratulated Prof. Law on this significant achievement. He noted, “We are delighted that Prof. Law has been selected as a ‘New Cornerstone Investigator,’ a recognition that highlights his groundbreaking research. In this role, Prof. Law and his team will pursue ambitious, curiosity-driven research in quantum materials. We are grateful for Tencent’s sustained partnership, previously demonstrated through the establishment of the New Cornerstone Science Laboratory and further affirmed by this recognition.”
Prof. Law is internationally acclaimed for his contributions to the study of topological superconductors and other topological materials. In 2015, he co-discovered a new type of superconductor, known as Ising superconductors, in collaboration with teams from the Netherlands and the United States. He completed his B.Sc. degree at HKUST before obtaining his Ph.D. in Physics from Brown University. After serving as a Croucher Postdoctoral Fellow at MIT, he returned to HKUST as a faculty member in 2011.
His work has garnered numerous accolades, including the 2015 Croucher Innovation Award, the Research Grants Council (RGC) Research Fellowship, and the 2023 Achievement in Asia Award (The Robert T. Poe Prize) from the International Organization of Chinese Physicists and Astronomers. Recently, he was elected as a 2024 Fellow of the American Physical Society (APS). His research on topological and strongly correlated quantum materials has also been recognized with a grant from the RGC’s Areas of Excellence Scheme.
About the New Cornerstone Investigator Program
The New Cornerstone Investigator Program was established by the New Cornerstone Science Foundation to support research in Mathematics and Physical Sciences, as well as Biological and Biomedical Sciences, with a particular focus on interdisciplinary research. The program operates on a biennial selection cycle, choosing a maximum of 50 researchers per cohort. Since its inception in 2022, it has honored 139 outstanding scientists for their exceptional contributions to their respective fields.
Prof. Law’s recognition as a New Cornerstone Investigator not only underscores his individual achievements but also reinforces HKUST’s commitment to advancing scientific knowledge and fostering innovation in quantum research.
