Prof. Wong Ka-Leung, Gary

Academic Staff

PolyU Scholars Hub

Chair Professor of Chemistry

Y815
34008612
klgwong@polyu.edu.hk

PolyU Scholars Hub

ORCID ID

SCOPUS ID

Research Overview

My research agenda intersects chemistry, biology and spectroscopy, with a particular focus on designing luminescent and functional materials for biological imaging applications and cancer theranostics.

Research Interests

Education and Academic Qualifications

Bachelor of Science in Applied Chemistry, The City University of Hong Kong
Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Hong Kong

Academic and Professional Experience

Member of Innovation and Technology Fund Research Projects Assessment Panel (2023 - Present)
Member of the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks MedTech Co-create Funding Scheme Assessment Panel (2022 - 2025)
Admission Panel of the Technology Business Incubation Programmes of the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation
(2020 - 2022)
Topic Editor, Chemosensors, MBDI (Impact factor = 3.108) (2020 - 2021)
Main Editor, Journal of Luminescence, Elsevier (Impact factor = 4.171) (2017 - Present)
International Advisory Board, ChemPlusChem, Wiley (Impact factor = 3.441) (2015 - Present)

Achievements

The Ministry of Education, second-class award at the Higher Education Outstanding Scientific Research Output Awards 2020 (Science and Technology) (2020)
The European Rare Earth and Actinide Society, 2015 ERES Junior award (2015)
Royal Society Incoming Fellowship, UK (2008 – 2009)

Lam, P.-L.; Wu, Yu.; Yao, L.; Kai, H.-Y.; Chau, H.-F.; Zhang, Q.; Zhou, W.; Bünzli, J.-C. G.; Wong, K.-L. One-step Assembly of α-Aryl-Substituted DOTAs as Superior and Universal Platforms for Multifunctional Theranostics. Angewandte Chemie International Edition 2025, e202519204. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.202519204
Wu, Y.; Wong, Y.-T.; Yeung, Y.-H.; Lam, P.-L.; Chau, H.-F.; Tam, W.-S.; Zhang, Q.; Tai, W. C. S.; Wong, K.-L. Peptide Multifunctionalization via Modular Construction of Trans-AB2C Porphyrin on Resin. Advanced Science 2025, 12, 2409771. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202409771
Yeung, Y.-H.; Zhang, L.; Kai, H.-Y.; Lam, P.-L.; Zhang, T.; Wu, Y.; Law, G.-L.; Xie, C.; Wong, K.-L. Facilitating PET Imaging: Eco-Friendly Purification Using Solid-Phase Material for Labeling Metal-Based Radiopharmaceuticals. JACS Au 2025, 5, 3213–3218. DOI: 10.1021/jacsau.5c00394
Thor, W.; Kai, H.-Y.; Yeung, Y.-H.; Wu, Y.; Cheung, T.-L.; Tam, L. K. B.; Zhang, Y.; Charbonnière, L. J.; Tanner, P. A.; Wong, K.-L. Unearthing the Real-Time Excited State Dynamics from Antenna to Rare Earth Ions Using Ultrafast Transient Absorption. JACS Au 2024, 4, 3813–3822. DOI: 10.1021/jacsau.4c00468
Wu, Y.; Chau, H.-F.; Yeung, Y.-H.; Thor, W.; Kai, H.-Y.; Chan, W.-L.; Wong, K.-L. Versatile Synthesis of Multivalent Porphyrin–Peptide Conjugates by Direct Porphyrin Construction on Resin. Angewandte Chemie International Edition 2022, 61, e202207532. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.202207532
Zha, S.; Chau, H.-F.; Chau, W. Y.; Chan, L. S.; Lin, J.; Lo, K. W.; Cho, W. C.-S.; Yip, Y. L.; Tsao, S. W.; Farrell, P. J.; Feng, L.; Di, J. M.; Law, G.-L.; Lung, H. L.; Wong, K.-L. Dual-Targeting Peptide-Guided Approach for Precision Delivery and Cancer Monitoring by Using a Safe Upconversion Nanoplatform. Advanced Science 2021, 8, 2002919. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202002919
Wu, Y.; Chau, H.-F.; Thor, W.; Chan, K. H. Y.; Ma, X.; Chan, W.-L.; Long, N. J.; Wong, K.-L. Solid-Phase Peptide Macrocyclization and Multifunctionalization via Dipyrrin Construction. Angewandte Chemie International Edition 2021, 60, 20301–20307. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.202108885
Thor, W.; Wu, Y.; Wang, L.; Zhang, Y.; Tanner, P. A.; Wong, K.-L. Charging and ultralong phosphorescence of lanthanide facilitated organic complex. Nature Communications 2021, 12, 6532. DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-26927-z
Zhang, J.-X.; Chan, W.-L.; Xie, C.; Zhou, Y.; Chau, H.-F.; Maity, P.; Harrison, G. T.; Amassian, A.; Mohammed, O. F.; Tanner, P. A.; Wong, W.-K.; Wong, K.-L. Impressive near-infrared brightness and singlet oxygen generation from strategic lanthanide–porphyrin double-decker complexes in aqueous solution. Light: Science & Applications 2019, 8, 46. DOI: 10.1038/s41377-019-0155-9.
Jiang, L.; Lung, H. L.; Huang, T.; Lan, R.; Zha, S.; Chan, L. S.; Thor, W.; Tsoi, T.-H.; Chau, H.-F.; Boreström, C.; Cobb, S. L.; Tsao, S. W.; Bian, Z.-X.; Law, G.-L.; Wong, W.-T.; Tai, W. C.-S.; Chau, W. Y.; Du, Y.; Tang, L. H. X.; Chiang, A. K. S.; Middeldorp, J. M.; Lo, K.-W.; Mak, N. K.; Long, N. J.; Wong, K.-L. Reactivation of Epstein–Barr virus by a dual-responsive fluorescent EBNA1-targeting agent with Zn2+-chelating function. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 2019, 116, 26614–26624. DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1915372116