Join Prof. Lu as she shares her inspiring journey where she learned to undefine her goals and embrace the unexpected opportunities life presents. Prof. Lu challenges the traditional notion of fixed objectives, emphasizing that flexibility opens the door to growth and discovery. Through the inevitable challenges that arise, she reveals how each obstacle signals personal and professional development. Her story is a powerful reminder that success is not about rigid plans, but about adapting, evolving, and welcoming the unknown. Mengqian is an Associate Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at HKUST and serves as President of the International Association for Hydro-Environment Engineering and Research. Her research bridges AI, climate science, and water management. She graduated with first-class honors from HKUST in 2009, earned her Ph.D. from Columbia in 2014, and joined HKUST faculty in 2016. A two-time international innovation gold medalist, her work has been featured by Newsweek and the BBC. She is also a serial entrepreneur and former hurdler. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
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