News

Prof. Ling Jin Featured on BBC Wildlife

Prof. Ling Jin, Assistant Professor of CEE, was recently interviewed by BBC Wildlife for a feature on the plastisphere, an ecosystem of microbes, algae, fungi and invertebrates, alongside other leading scholars in the field.  The article “‘It’s a disease superhighway.’ The shocking new ecosystem that’s evolving in our oceans” explores the plastisphere, a unique ecosystem that forms on plastic debris in oceans and waterways. When plastics enter the environment, they quickly become colonized by a variety of microorganisms. Prof. Jin emphasizes that the plastisphere is not merely waste but a living habitat with unique microbial communities, including pathogens, that aid species dispersal across oceans. This habitat significantly impacts ecological functions and poses risks of spreading harmful microbes, highlighting urgent research needs to assess plastic's effects on ocean health. Prof. Jin’s research focuses on human health impacts of air pollution, wildlife health impacts of marine pollution, and ecohealth impacts of solid waste. He actively engages in interdisciplinary research at the intersection of environmental chemistry, toxicology, microbiology, and data science, addressing critical challenges in planetary health. Recently, Prof. Jin was honored with the 2026 James J. Morgan Early Career Award for the Asia Pacific region, recognizing his pioneering contributions to environmental science and technology. Online Coverage of Prof. Jin’s Interview: https://www.discoverwildlife.com/environment/plastiphere  

Prof. Kwok-Fai Chung’s Project Receives the Winner Award in Excellence in Innovation and Technology Adoption from the Development Bureau

We are proud to announce that a project led by Prof. Kwok-Fai Chung, Research Professor of CEE and Former Director of the Chinese National Engineering Research Centre for Steel Construction (Hong Kong Branch) (CNERC-Steel), has received the Winner Award in Excellence in Innovation and Technology Adoption. The award was presented at the Outstanding NEC Team Performance Award 2025s Presentation Ceremony on 30 January 2026. Prof. Chung received the award alongside Ir Michael Fong Hok-shing, Director of Civil Engineering and Development, Ir Joyce Y.Y. Lau, Project Manager of North Development Office, and senior engineers due to the successful application of ultra-high strength S960 steel in two large pedestrian footbridges, Footbridges F4 and F6, located in the Northern Metropolis Area. The Award was presented by Ir Ricky Chun-kit Lau, Permanent Secretary (Works), Development Bureau. The project, titled “The World’s First Ultra-high Strength S960 Steel Footbridges in the Northern Metropolis”, was executed by AECOM Asia Co. Ltd. along with a joint venture of Daewoo E&C, Chun Wo C&E, and Kwan Lee Holding. Given the lack of technical guidance on S960 steel structural design, the team undertook extensive research and development to formulate innovative construction techniques. Under a MOU signed between CNERC and CEDD in June 2023, Prof. Chung contributed significantly to various project deliverables, including effective designs and construction methodologies. The collaboration among project team members resulted in substantial material and cost savings, as well as reduced construction time. The Outstanding NEC Team Performance Awards, organized by the Development Bureau, recognize exceptional project teams in Hong Kong's construction industry, promoting a culture of excellence and innovation. The Excellence in Innovation & Technology Adoption category specifically honors teams that integrate innovative solutions through collaborative partnerships. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Prof. Chung and his team for this remarkable achievement. Their dedication to innovation and collaboration has set a new standard in the construction industry, showcasing the potential of advanced technologies in promoting sustainability. We look forward to their continued contributions to the field.  

Prof. Ling Jin Secures RGC Collaborative Research Equipment Grant 2025/26

The RGC recently announced the funding results of the Collaborative Research Fund (CRF) including Collaborative Research Project Grant (CRPG), Collaborative Research Equipment Grant (CREG) and Young Collaborative Research Grant (YCRG) in 2025/26 exercise. We are proud to announce that Prof. Ling Jin, Assistant Professor of CEE, has been awarded the Collaborative Research Equipment Grant 2025/26 for his project. The project details are as follows: Proposal Ref. No.: C5081 – 25EF Name of PC: Prof. Ling Jin Proposal Title: Advanced Single-Particle Mass Spectrometer to Uncover Hidden Aerosol Complexity Impacting Health and Climate Amount Awarded: $3,400,000 The project aims to develop a single-particle mass spectrometry platform to precisely show aerosol mixing states and assess their impacts on health, toxicity, and climate, improving predictions for policymaking. In 2025/26 CRF Exercise, the RGC received a total of 31 preliminary CREG proposals, of which 8 were ultimately supported. The CRF supports multi-investigator, multi-disciplinary projects to encourage more researchers to engage in creative and high-quality cross-disciplinary projects.  Congratulations again to Prof. Jin, we believe this funding will enable him to engage in cross-disciplinary research and collaborate with multiple scholars to produce innovative and impactful outcomes. For more details about the funding results of the Collaborative Research Fund 2025/26, please visit: https://www.ugc.edu.hk/eng/rgc/funding_opport/crf/funded%20research/25-26.html

CEE Student Receives The HKIE Scholarship 2025-26

We are delighted to announce that Miss Shenin Tasnim Hasan, a Year 2 undergraduate student in the BEng (Hons) in Civil Engineering programme, has been awarded The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (HKIE) Scholarship 2025-26. The scholarship was presented at the HKIE Prize Presentation Ceremony cum New Members’ Reception held on 17 January 2026.  The HKIE Scholarship recognizes engineering undergraduate students who demonstrate outstanding academic performance, leadership skills, and a commitment to community service, alongside a passion for pursuing a career in engineering. Each year, the scholarship is awarded to up to three students who major in HKIE-accredited engineering programs in any local university. Congratulations to Ms Tasnim Hasan on receiving this recognition. This scholarship not only highlights her academic achievements but also underscores her potential as a future leader in the engineering field. We wish her continued success in her academic journey. Please visit HKIE's official website for the awardee list. https://www.hkie.org.hk/en/membership/award_detail/25/   

New joiner – Dr Weixin Liu

Dr Weixin Liu obtained his Ph.D. (Medical Sciences) degree (2023) from The Chinese University of Hong Kong, M.Sc (Cell Biology) degree from University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (2018), and B.Sc. (Biotechnology) Degree from University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (2015). Before joining PolyU as a Research Assistant Professor, Dr Liu had worked as a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Department of Medicine & Therapeutics of The Chinese University of Hong Kong for two years. Dr Liu’s research explores how microbiome-host interactions, especially concerning airborne antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and gut disorders, influence human health and disease, aiming to elucidate AMR dissemination pathways and identify preventive strategies. Dr Liu has joined on 1 Feb 2026.  

Research of Prof Tao Wang’s Team and Collaborators Published on Science Advances

A recent research article by Prof. Tao Wang’s team and collaborators has been published in Science Advances. The research, titled “Isotopic Constraints on The Origin of Reactive Chlorine in The Troposphere”, introduces an innovative method to track ocean influence on the inland atmosphere, marking a significant advancement in atmospheric science. Reactive chlorine from oceanic and human activities affects air quality and climate. This study utilizes chemical ionization mass spectrometry to analyze nitryl chloride (ClNO₂), revealing a wide range of isotopic values and significant distinctions between sources. The findings enhance our understanding of chlorine's role in air pollution. Prof. Tao Wang, Chair Professor of Atmospheric Environment of CEE, has long been focused on uncovering the root causes of air pollution through both experimental and numerical approaches. His research has addressed critical gaps in knowledge regarding tropospheric ozone trends and their underlying drivers in East Asia, playing a key role in supporting air pollution mitigation strategies for the Hong Kong government and beyond. Science Advances is an open-access journal by American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), publishing impactful research across all scientific fields. It aims to provide fair, fast peer review and freely available research. Led by esteemed scientists, it uses digital technologies to enhance communication and support major advancements in science and engineering for the benefit of humanity. Review the full article: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.aeb5397   

New joiner – Dr Danning Li

Dr Danning Li received his Ph.D. degree from the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at PolyU in 2024, after completing his Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees at South China University of Technology (2019) and Guangzhou University (2016). He worked as a Postdoctoral Fellow at PolyU before being appointed as a Research Assistant Professor. His research focuses on road materials and pavement design, including the development of sustainable and smart paving materials, life cycle analysis of road infrastructure, and artificial intelligence-aided design of bituminous materials. Dr Li has joined on 31 Jan 2026.  

New joiner – Dr Ho Yin Tse

Dr Ho Yin Tse received his B.Sc. degree from The Chinese University of Hong Kong in 2016 and his Ph.D. degree in Environmental Engineering from PolyU in 2022. During his doctoral studies, he conducted research at Yale University for two years as a Lee Hysan Foundation Scholar, and subsequently continued at Yale as a Postdoctoral Associate working with Prof. Paul Anastas and Prof. Julie Zimmerman, before joining PolyU as a Research Assistant Professor. His work is based on green chemistry principles and bio-based chemical building blocks, and integrates photochemical, electrochemical, and catalytic approaches to translate molecular-level understanding into engineering-relevant functional systems. Dr Tse has joined on 1 Feb 2026.  

Prof. Kwok-Fai Chung Wins Local Grand Prize at the CIC Construction Innovation Award 2025

Led by Prof. Kwok-Fai Chung, Research Professor of CEE and Former Director of the Chinese National Engineering Research Centre for Steel Construction (Hong Kong Branch) (CNERC-Steel), the project titled “Groundbreaking Application of Ultra-high Strength S960 Steel in Civil Infrastructure: Paving the Way for Hong Kong's Green Construction” has been awarded the Local Grand Prize at the Construction Industry Council (CIC) Construction Innovation Award 2025. The project, executed for the Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD), was led by AECOM Asia Co. Ltd. in collaboration with the Joint Venture of Daewoo E&C, Chun Wo C&E, and Kwan Lee Holding (DCK JV). The project was expected to be completed this summer. The Presentation Ceremony was held at the Zero Carbon Park of CIC on 21 January 2026, gathering around 150 construction professionals and engineers. The Ceremony was officiated by Ir Prof. Thomas Ho, Chairman of CIC, who welcomed all attendees, followed by Ir Ricky Chun-kit Lau, Permanent Secretary for Development (Works), HKSAR Government. who delivered the opening address and presented the award. Prof. Chung received the award alongside Ir Michael Fong Hok-shing, Director of Civil Engineering and Development, representing a CEDD project. Under a MOU signed between CNERC-Steel and CEDD in June 2023, Prof. Chung has provided technical support to the innovative use of ultra-high strength S960 steel in construction as stiffened box sections for Footbridges F4 and F6 as replacements to in-site reinforced concrete box girders. This innovative approach resulted in significant savings in materials, construction costs, and time. The Judging Panel commended the winning project for being the world's first application of S960 steel to two pedestrian bridges in the Northern Metropolitan area, effectively reducing their structural self-weights and the number of piles, leading to lower carbon emissions. This prestigious recognition is a testament to the pioneering spirit and commitment to sustainability demonstrated by Prof. Chung and his team. Their groundbreaking work not only advances the construction industry in Hong Kong but also sets a benchmark for future innovations in green infrastructure.  

Three Research Projects Secure Environment and Conservation Fund 2025

We are proud to announce that three research projects led by Prof. Zhen Leng, Professor of CEE, Prof. Wai Ma, Associate Professor of CEE, and Prof. Tao Liu, Assistant Professor of CEE, have received support from the Environment and Conservation Fund (ECF) 2025 under the funding scheme “Environmental Research, Technology Demonstration and Conference Projects”. This remarkable accomplishment underscores the contributions of CEE scholars in advancing carbon neutrality and pursuing innovative solutions for environmental preservation in Hong Kong. Name of PC: Prof. Zhen Leng Proposal Title: Dual-phase VOC Reduction of Waste Tyre Modified Low-carbon High-performance Asphalt Pavements through Reactive Extrusion Funding Amount: HK$1,316,000 Name of PC: Prof. Wei Ma Proposal Title: EVChargeMap: An Integrated Geospatial Database of Public and Private EV Chargers in Hong Kong Funding Amount: HK$500,000 Name of PC: Prof. Tao Liu Proposal Title: Reconfiguring Saline Wastewater Treatment to Remove Phosphorus and Nitrogen via Innovative Pathways Funding Amount: HK$500,000 In this exercise, PolyU submitted 84 ECF applications and 8 of them are supported by the funding body with a total awarded amount of $6,451,600. CEE received HK$2,316,000, representing one-third of PolyU’s total funding.  This achievement highlights the research excellence and technological advancements of CEE scholars in enhancing Hong Kong’s local environment. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Prof. Leng, Prof. Ma and Prof. Liu, and we look forward to the impactful contributions their outstanding research will make to the society. More information about the ECF, please refer to: https://www.ecf.gov.hk/en/about-us/index.html.