- West Island School – Head Student (2024-2025), Co-Captain of Debate and Public Speaking Team (2023-Present), Founder & Co-leader of WISustain Environmental Council (2023-Present)
- South China Morning Post Student of the Year Awards Sustainability Advocate Category – Finalist (2023/24)
- Inter-School Social Issues Association – President of Executive Committee (2023-2024), Honorary Advisor (2024-Present)
- International Climate Science Olympiad – Semifinalist & Top 5% (2023)
- City University of Hong Kong “Green Innovation Challenge” Competition – Grand Finalist (2023); Co-author of Biosignal Processing Research Paper (to be published in IET Electronic Letters) (2024-Present)
Google’s definition of outstanding is to be ‘exceptionally good’. However, through exploring my passions and gaining new experiences, I’ve learned that becoming ‘exceptionally good’ is not the only way to be ‘outstanding’.
Growing up in Hong Kong, despite the growing prevalence of sustainability, I witnessed the effects of a pervasive knowledge gap about sustainability careers. Thus, I led a 10-member team at SustainaPod to publish an 8-part series interviewing professionals in sustainability. By sharing hour-long episodes of a chemist developing carbon capture, a United Nations program lead pioneering agricultural technology in socioeconomically deprived Asian regions, and a social enterprise founder combatting period poverty among other inspiring individuals, we demystified careers indispensable for sustainable development. Despite internal challenges, our efforts paid off – the series reached thousands of listeners in 56 countries in 6 continents and was recognised by the United Nations Association (Oceans and Climate) among other regional and international media outlets.
Determined to explore solutions to Hong Kong’s decreasing recycling rate, I ideated a self-automated plastic recycling robot– RecycleBot. Despite my lack of technical knowledge and robotics experience, I was eager to dive deeper. After working with professors at the City University of HK and learning about sensors and GPS systems, my team and I researched prototypes integrating features such as a plastic classification algorithm. After months of research, I pitched RecycleBot to government and national stakeholders. Since then, I have been inspired to create a sustainable future through exploring innovation in engineering.
Additionally, I am passionate about the power of youth to champion social causes, and in doing so, create lasting change. I launched a youth-led organisation that intersects humanities fields with multimedia and community service. Aside from organising outreach programs, I spearheaded a 21-week international volunteer program with a Cambodian NGO, teaching subjects including Law, STEM and Environment to Cambodian students. Similarly, as a Volunteer Leader at HandsOn HK, my team and I developed an English course partnering with the HK Lutheran Social Service, creating 800+ volunteering opportunities and impacting 7000+ underprivileged community members. From co-leading my school’s Environmental Council, I spearheaded our first Eco Week in 5 years to fundraise $16,000 and initiated recycling campaigns and workshops in collaboration with Kennedy School.
Ultimately, I believe being ‘outstanding’ represents creating a positive and meaningful impact to connect communities and uplift society. With further growth, I hope to continue innovating for a sustainable future through education and STEM.