News

New joiner – Dr Annalisa De Leo

Dr Annalisa De Leo received her Ph.D. degree in Fluid Dynamic and Environmental Engineering in the University of Genoa (Italy) in 2022. Former Postdoctoral Fellow at PolyU, she manages the deployment of a coastal HF-Radar network. Her research bridges fundamental fluid mechanics with practical applications, using real-time radar data to enhance coastal resilience against environmental and flood risks. Dr De Leo has reported on 1 September 2026.   

CEE Members Receive HKIE Structural Division Structural Excellence Award 2026

We are proud to announce that Prof. Siwei Liu, Assistant Professor of CEE, has won the Grand Award (R&D Category) of The HKIE Structural Division Structural Excellence Award 2026. This prestigious recognition underscores Prof. Liu’s outstanding technological innovations and significant contributions to structural engineering in building design and construction. Prof. Liu’s award-winning project is titled “Second-order Direct Analysis Method of the Stability Design of the First 3D Metal Printed Steel Structure in Asia using Wire and Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM) - Innovation, Challenges, Insight and Future Applications”. The featured structure, “Weaving Love”, showcases intricate geometries composed of small tubes produced via WAAM. Hosted by the Architectural Services Department, with PolyU serving as the structural engineer, the project successfully reduced material waste by over 80%, construction time by 70% and costs by 50% compared to conventional building methods. his milestone serves as a breakthrough demonstration of 3D constructional metal printing using WAAM technology, marking a historic first for both Hong Kong and Asia. Meanwhile, Prof. Songye Zhu, Head of CEE, and Prof. Kwok-Fai Chung, Former Research Professor of CEE, were honoured with the Commendation Merit Award (R&D Category). Their achievements highlight the ongoing dedication of CEE scholars in advancing structural engineering and driving innovative impact. Name of PC: Prof. Songye Zhu Project Title: Self-centering Seismic-resistant Eccentrically Braced Frames with Superelastic Shape Memory Alloy Angles Name of PC: Prof. Kwok-fai Chung Project Title: Numerical Simulation of Compression on Short Columns of S960 High-strength Steel Welded Box Section Considering Phase Transformation Organized by The HKIE Structural Division, the Structural Excellence Awards celebrate distinction in structural engineering across building design, infrastructure, research, and practical application.  Congratulations once again to our scholars on their outstanding achievements! We are confident that their dedication to innovative research will continue to pave the way toward a more sustainable future. Click here for details of the Award. Click here for information of  Prof. Siwei Liu’s Project.   

Visit to Sichuan University under the “Ten Thousand People's Scheme”

Twelve CEE academic staff and students, led by Prof. Hai Guo, Chair Professor of Atmospheric Chemistry and Modelling, embarked on an academic research exchange programme to Sichuan under the Ten Thousand People’s Scheme from 9 to 13 July 2026.  During the visit to Sichuan University’s Wangjiang Campus, the team toured the atmospheric monitoring supersite and participated in an engaging symposium to exchange the latest research outcomes and insights. The student sharing session was enthusiastic, with participants from both institutions sharing experiences on academic learning, campus life, and the unique cultures of Hong Kong and Sichuan. The team also visited the Chengdu University of Information Technology to tour its radar instruments and cloud chambers. This visit provided participants with experiential exposure to cutting-edge atmospheric physics experiments and deepened their understanding of weather-modification research. The scheme successfully fostered mutual understanding and established a robust platform for future academic exchanges and institutional collaboration. These engagements collectively underscored the critical importance of cross-regional and cross-disciplinary collaboration in driving technological innovation and addressing pressing issues in climate change and air pollution. The programme concluded with a visit to the Dujiangyan Panda Valley, providing staff and students with a valuable appreciation of Sichuan's rich natural ecological resources and notable achievements in wildlife and environmental conservation. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Sichuan University and Chengdu University of Information Technology for their warm hospitality and support. This memorable trip to Sichuan not only broadened our students' horizons and deepened their cultural appreciation, but also inspired a deeper passion for atmospheric engineering. 

Prof. Tao Wang Receives Shandong Provincial Natural Science Award 2025

We are proud to announce that Prof. Tao Wang, Chair Professor of Atmospheric Environment of CEE, has been awarded the Shandong Provincial Natural Science Award (Second Class) 2025 by the Shandong Provincial Department of Science and Technology for his collaborative research with Shandong University, titled “The evolution, formation, and source of air pollution complex in the North China Plain”. This prestigious recognition highlighted his outstanding research contributions and far-reaching influence in the field of atmospheric environment.  Prof. Wang’s research focuses on the root causes of air pollution using experimental and numerical tools. His research advances understanding of atmospheric physical and chemical processes and impact of human-nature interaction on air quality. His research results have been adopted in the United Nation’s climate assessment reports and international tropospheric ozone research, and have facilitated the Hong Kong and Mainland China government to develop air pollution mitigation measures in Hong Kong, the Greater Bay Area, and other regions of China. The Shandong Science and Technology Awards were officially announced on 6 August 2026, honoring a total of 299 projects and individuals, including 51 Natural Science Awards. The awards recognize researchers and teams who have achieved breakthroughs in science and technology, generating significant scientific value and driving academic impact.  We extend our warmest congratulations to Prof. Wang on this remarkable achievement and wish him continued success in his research endeavors. 

CEE China Beijing Study Tour 2026

Led by Prof. Siwei Liu and Dr Liang Chen, the CEE China Beijing Study Tour held from 27 July to 1 August 2026 offered our UG students an enriching opportunity to explore Beijing. The tour immersed students in cutting-edge engineering innovations and smart city developments, while fostering cultural exchange with peers from the University of Science and Technology Beijing. Highlights of the tour include series of technical site visits to industry-leading infrastructure and research facilities, including the National Center for Materials Service Safety, the Beijing Sub-center Integrated Transport Hub, the Xiong'an Rongdong Smart Experience Centre, and Huacheng Boyuan Engineering Technology Group Co., Ltd. Students also immersed themselves in Chinese history and culture with visits to iconic landmarks such as Tiananmen Square, the National Museum of China, and The Palace Museum. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the University of Science and Technology Beijing for their warm hospitality and support. This memorable journey has not only broadened our students' horizons and deepened their cultural awareness, but also inspired their ongoing passion for civil and environmental engineering.  

New joiner – Dr Zhihang Xue

Dr Zhihang Xue obtained her Ph.D. degree in Civil Engineering from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University in 2022. Prior to her appointment as a Research Assistant Professor, Dr Xue worked as a Postdoctoral Fellow at PolyU. Her research focuses on the development of resilient infrastructure, with particular interests in high-performance materials and structural optimisation, to provide practical solutions for innovative structural design. Dr Xue has reported on 15 August 2026.  

Two CEE Members Elected as Members of Hong Kong Academy of Engineering Young Member Section

Congratulations to Prof. Huan-Feng Duan, Associate Head (Research) and Professor of CEE and Prof. Chao Zhou, Associate Professor of CEE, on being elected to the Young Member Section (YMS) 2026 of The Hong Kong Academy of Engineering (HKAE). Prof. Duan was recognized for his innovation in engineering science and technology, which enhances the resilience of urban water infrastructure and supports climate sustainability, while Prof. Zhou was honored for his outstanding contributions to engineering advances in THM-coupled soil mechanics and geo-sustainability.   Established in 2023, the YMS is a subset of HKAE serving as a platform for young professionals in the field to connect, collaborate, and contribute to the advancement of Engineering. It is dedicated to fostering the professional growth of post-doctoral academics and engineers, facilitating translational research, aiding in process and product development, and providing support for startup ventures and funding endeavors.   We again extend our heartfelt congratulations to Prof. Duan and Prof. Zhou. Their recognition highlights CEE’s commitment to nurturing young talents and pushing the boundaries of innovative research. We look forward to their continued contributions to research excellence and the meaningful impact their work will bring to the society.   For more information about the YMS, please visit: https://hkae.hk/en/twenty-young-academics-and-industrial-leaders-elected-members-hkaes-young-member-section#gsc.tab=0

New joiner – Dr Shaoqun Lin

Dr Shaoqun Lin received his Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University in 2023, and his M.Eng. and B.Eng. in Civil Engineering from South China University of Technology. Before being appointed as a Research Assistant Professor, Dr Lin worked as a Postdoctoral Fellow at PolyU for over two years. His research focuses on intelligent monitoring and defect detection of underground structures, including diaphragm wall panels, piles, and tunnels, using distributed fiber optic sensing technologies, such as distributed strain sensing, distributed temperature sensing, and distributed acoustic sensing.   Dr Lin has reported on 10 August 2026.

New joiner – Dr Armin Rezayan

Dr Armin Rezayan completed both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in chemical engineering at Babol Noshirvani University of Technology (BNUT), Iran. He then pursued his doctoral studies in chemical engineering at Zhengzhou University (ZZU), China, receiving his PhD in 2023. After serving as a short-term postdoctoral fellow at ZZU, he joined the Advanced Biorefinery Laboratory (ABL) at the City University of Hong Kong (CityU) as a postdoctoral researcher, where he worked for nearly three years. His research focuses on thermocatalytic processes that convert biomass and waste into high-value products, including biofuels, platform chemicals, and functional materials, supporting a circular economy and carbon neutrality targets. Dr Rezayan has reported on 3 August 2026.  

New joiner – Dr Long Jiang

Dr Long Jiang received his Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from The University of Hong Kong in 2023. His research lies at the intersection of hydrology, environmental modelling, and artificial intelligence. Prior to his current appointment as a Research Assistant Professor, he worked for over two years as a Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Washington. His current research focuses on ecohydrological modelling, urban flooding and water quality management, as well as intelligent environmental modelling. Dr Jiang has reported on 1 August 2026.