Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Thank you all for being here today. Standing on this stage gives me a somewhat surreal, time-traveling sensation. As a paleontologist dedicated to studying the past, receiving the Future Science Prize today feels truly unexpected. Perhaps, in an era of rapid societal advancement where people are often swept forward by the tide of progress, there are moments when we need to pause and look back at the past.

First, I would like to express my gratitude to the Award Jury. Thank you for evaluating science not merely by its immediate utility, but by its broader significance. I thank my parents, who, even during the most difficult times, firmly believed that knowledge could change one’s destiny. I thank my wife, who understands that beyond scientific research, I am capable of little else, and has thus allowed me to spend long hours in my office without complaint. I thank my colleagues and research team—without their support, I might have accomplished nothing. Lastly, I wish to extend my thanks to the many farmers whose contributions have been indispensable to major fossil discoveries. They are the unsung heroes behind this work.

Thank you all once again!