Hong Kong Wins Top Scientist From Singapore for New Lab

Liu Jiawei is a materials scientist and electrochemist—someone who studies how to make batteries and energy storage better. She just moved from Singapore to Hong Kong to launch her own research lab at City University of Hong Kong. After ten years in Singapore, she says the two cities feel alike when it comes to cutting-edge science. But the big difference: Hong Kong brings her closer to family in mainland China.

Hong Kong universities let researchers like Liu run their own labs with lots of freedom. This “independent principal investigator” model means she can choose her research topics and chase big ideas without waiting for approval. At the same time, the city pushes teams to collaborate, so she can jump on joint projects with other labs. That combination—independence plus teamwork—is exactly what top scientists want.

Why should you care? Because scientists like Liu are behind the next wave of batteries, electric vehicles, and clean energy. When a talented researcher sets up shop in a new city, it can attract funding, inspire students, and lead to inventions that make our phones last longer or our cars charge faster. The move also shows how cities compete in a global talent race. Singapore loses a star, but Hong Kong gains one—and that could give the city an edge in the technologies we'll all use soon.

Of course, one person doesn't change everything on her own. Liu is still setting up her lab and raising funds. Other cities like Singapore remain scientific powerhouses. But her choice reflects a bigger trend: researchers want both world-class science and family ties. That's a signal for every country trying to keep its best thinkers.