Professor Tobin Marks Fosters Innovation and Entrepreneurship during Visit to CityUHK
Professor Tobin Marks, Senior Fellow of The Hong Kong Institute for Advanced Study (HKIAS) at City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) and a world-renowned scientist in materials science and catalysis, recently visited the CityUHK and CityUHK (Dongguan) from 9 to 19 January 2026. His visit fostered deep academic exchange, featuring high-level discussions with faculty, engagement with young scholars, and a distinguished lecture focused on the intersection of academic research and venture creation.
From 12 to 14 January, Professor Marks visited the CityUHK (Dongguan) and attended the opening convocation ceremony of the Master of Science in Venture Creation (MScVC) programme alongside distinguished guests, including Professor Freddy Boey, President of CityUHK and Chairperson of CityUHK (Dongguan)'s Governing Board; Professor Lu Chun, Vice-President (Mainland Strategy) of CityUHK and Executive President of CityUHK (Dongguan); Professor Julie Li Juan, Associate Vice-President (Mainland Strategy) of CityUHK and Vice-President (Academic) of CityUHK (Dongguan); Professor Ray Cheung Chak-chung, Associate Provost (DL), office of the Provost and Deputy President of CityUHK and Professor Chin Foo Goh, Associate Vice-President (Mainland Industry) of CityUHK.
As part of the CityUHK (Dongguan) Distinguished Lecture Series and The MSVC Venture Creation Seminar Series, Professor Marks delivered a landmark presentation titled “Cultivating Entrepreneurship. Innovation and New Ventures: A Northwestern University Perspective”. Drawing on his experience founding 15 start-ups with technologies generating approximately $120 billion in sales, he shared the "Innovations and New Ventures (INVO) Model" utilized at Northwestern University, emphasizing how universities can enhance their societal impact by monetizing faculty inventions and protecting intellectual property.
Apart from his time in Dongguan, Professor Marks also engaged in a series of productive dialogues with key research leaders and emerging talents across various disciplines at CityUHK. He held in-depth discussions with Professor Alex Jen, Lee Shau Kee Chair Professor of Materials Science, and held one-on-one meetings with several young scholars, moderated by Professor Xinge Yu of the Department of Biomedical Engineering, to explore interdisciplinary research development. These included Professor Bing Fu and Professor Ruquan Ye from the Department of Biomedical Engineering, as well as Professor Jiaqi Liu from the Department of Mechanical Engineering. Furthermore, Professor Marks met with Professor Xiaocheng Zeng, Head of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, to explore future collaborative opportunities and strategic developments.
Professor Tobin Marks is the Vladimir N. Ipatieff Professor of Catalytic Chemistry, and Professor of Materials Science and Engineering at Northwestern University and a globally influential scientist in materials science and applied physics. A member of the U.S. National Academies of Sciences and Engineering, his prolific career has been recognized with prestigious accolades including the U.S. National Medal of Science, the Prince of Asturias Prize, the MRS Von Hippel Award, and the ACS Priestley Medal.