Alfonso Ngan is currently Kingboard Professor in Materials Engineering and Chair in Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Hong Kong (HKU). He obtained his PhD from the University of Birmingham, U.K. in 1992, and carried out postdoctoral research work at the University of Oxford, before joining HKU in 1993. His research interests include nanomechanics, smart actuating materials, and microstructural basis of material properties.  He has published more than 230 journal papers, a few patents, and delivered ~80 keynote or invited lectures in international conferences. He also co-authored two advanced textbooks. His research-related honours include International Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering and Fellow of the Hong Kong Academy of Engineering Sciences, Guanghua Engineering Science and Technology Prize by the Chinese Academy of Engineering, the Rosenhain Medal and Prize from the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining, higher doctorate (DSc) from the University of Birmingham, and the Croucher Senior Research Fellowship. He is currently an Associate Editor of the International Journal of Plasticity, and serves as Senior Vice President of the Hong Kong Academy of Engineering Sciences.