Awards and Achievements

PolyU Science research projects win funding support from RAISe+ Scheme

Congratulations to Prof. Chai Yang, Associate Dean of Faculty & Chair Professor of Semiconductor Physics of the Department of Applied Physics, and Prof. Lee Ming-yuen, Simon, Chair Professor of Biomedical Sciences of the Department of Food Science and Nutrition for receiving funding from the Research, Academic, and Industry Sectors One-plus (RAISe+) Scheme, under the Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC) of the HKSAR Government. This achievement showcases our Faculty’s research excellence and strong commitment to commercialisation of its research outcomes.  Explore the details of these impactful projects below: Project Title Project Leader Project Description High-Speed 3D Stacked AI Vision Sensors Prof. Chai Yang Associate Dean, Faculty of Science; Chair Professor of Semiconductor Physics, Department of Applied Physics; and Director, Joint Research Centre for Microelectronics The project led by Professor Chai aims to develop and commercialise an advanced AI vision sensor featuring high-speed operation, high dynamic range, and low power consumption. The innovative sensor addresses critical limitations of conventional image sensors, particularly by reducing motion blur in high-speed motion scenarios. Novel Nutraceuticals for Neurodegenerative Diseases Prof. Lee Ming-yuen, Simon Cally Kwong Mei Wan Professor in Biomedical Sciences and Chinese Medicine Innovation; Chair Professor of Biomedical Sciences, Department of Food Science and Nutrition; and Director, PolyU-BGI Joint Research Centre for Genomics and Synthetic Biology in Global Ocean Resources The project led by Professor Lee adopts a vertically integrated development strategy to create novel nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals derived from natural resources. This comprehensive approach forms an innovation platform for both the prevention and treatment of neurological disorders, addressing the pressing global need for effective neurological health solutions amid an ageing population. Launched in 2023, RAISe+ aims to unleash potential of local universities in transformation and commercialisation of R&D outcomes, and facilitate relevant collaboration among the Government, industries, universities, and research sectors. Each approved project will receive funding support ranging from HK$10 million to HK$100 million. Our warmest congratulations again to Prof. Chai and Prof. Lee! Press release: English | 中文  

PolyU Science Scholar awarded RGC Strategic Topics Grant 2025/26 for advancing next-generation cancer immunotherapy technologies

Congratulations to Prof. Zhao Yanxiang, Associate Head of Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, who has received funding support from the Research Grants Council (RGC)’s Strategic Topics Grant (STG) 2025/26 for a multidisciplinary biomedical project. This pioneering research led by Prof. Zhao has been awarded RGC funding of HK$32.4 million to support the project on “An Integrated Technology Platform for Next-generation Cancer Immunotherapy - from Identification of Tumor Neoantigens to Development of Novel Therapeutic Vaccine Modalities”. Prof. Zhao and the research team propose to build an integrated technological platform to develop Peptide-based Immunogenic Neoantigen Vaccines (PIN-Vax) and their long-term goal is to transform this platform into an innovative engine for next-generation cancer immunotherapy, benefiting cancer patients. We would like to extend our warmest congratulations to Prof. Zhao for her dedicated efforts in pursuing research excellence. For more details, please refer to https://polyu.me/44Qq8F7.

PolyU Science Scholars win prestigious awards at the 50th International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva

We are thrilled to share that our Innovations won two prestigious awards at the 50th International Exhibition of Inventions in Geneva, securing 1 Gold Medal with Congratulations of the Jury and 1 Gold Medal. These remarkable achievements have highlighted the Faculty's strong research capabilities and commitment to innovation on the global stage. The International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva (Geneva Inventions Expo) is a widely recognised annual event devoted exclusively to invention. This year's Geneva Inventions Expo attracted over a thousand entries from close to 40 countries and regions. To learn more about these impactful projects, please refer to the Appendix or visit the website of the PolyU Knowledge Transfer and Entrepreneurship Office.  List of award wining projects: Project Principal Investigator(s) Award(s) A Customisable Wearable Saliva Sensing Platform Prof. YAN Feng Associate Director, Research Institute for Intelligent Wearable Systems; Chair Professor of Organic Electronics, Department of Applied Physics Gold Medal with Congratulations of the Jury Eye-on-a-chip Device Dr ZHOU Liping Research Assistant Professor, School of Optometry and Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology; Principal Investigator, InnoHK Centre for Eye and Vision Research; Director, Eyenova Biotech Limited (a PolyU startup) Dr PHAN Chau-Minh Research Assistant Professor, School of Optometry and Vision Science, UWaterloo; Principal Investigator, InnoHK Centre for Eye and Vision Research; Director, Eyenova Biotech Limited (a PolyU startup) Gold Medal Press release: English | 中文 Online coverage: The Standard Hong Kong universities shine at international inventions fair 13 April 2025 Ming Pao Daily News 低碳製冰機毛公仔情緒朋友 港校日內瓦國際發明展獲獎 14 April 2025 Sing Tao Daily 日內瓦國際發明展 理大「採樣裝置」奪兩獎 14 April 2025 Headline Daily 日內瓦國際發明展 理大「採樣裝置」奪兩獎 14 April 2025 Ta Kung Pao 日內瓦國際發明展 港高校取佳績 14 April 2025 Wen Wei Po 【創科揚威國際】日內瓦發明展港奪9個特別大獎 警隊防騙視伏器探月採樣在列 13 April 2025 Hong Kong Commercial Daily  理大於第50屆日內瓦發明展再創佳績 囊括36獎項 展現卓越科研實力與創新潛能 13 April 2025 Bastille Post 本港多間機構「日內瓦國際發明展」獲獎 港大理大各贏逾三十多個獎項 14 April 2025

PolyU Science Researchers published a paper in Science titled “Atomic Locations and Adsorbate Interactions of Al Single and Pair Sites in H-ZSM-5 Zeolite”

Congratulations to Prof. Edman Tsang Shik-chi, Prof. Benedict Lo Tsz-woon, and Dr Li Guangchao of the Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology on publishing a paper in Science titled “Atomic Locations and Adsorbate Interactions of Al Single and Pair Sites in H-ZSM-5 Zeolite”. Zeolites are essential in the petrochemical industry, but their atomic mysteries of aluminum location as active sites have long puzzled scientists. A groundbreaking study from researchers at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University and Oxford University has finally shed light on the elusive locations of aluminum atoms within zeolite structures. By utilizing synchrotron resonant soft X-ray diffraction (RSXRD) alongside molecular adsorption methods, the team has mapped the precise locations of ‘single’ and ‘paired’ aluminum atoms. This pivotal discovery paves the way for the design of more efficient and targeted zeolite catalysts, enhancing chemical production processes to be faster, more energy-efficient, and environmentally friendly. The implications stretch far beyond petrochemicals, promising advancements in renewable energy and pollution control. This research, published in Science on January 24, 2025, heralds a new era of smarter, greener chemical manufacturing. To read the article in Science, please visit here.

PolyU Science researcher won the President’s Awards for Outstanding Achievement 2024 – Research and Scholarly Activities (Outstanding Young Researcher)

Congratulations to Prof. Kathy Leng Kai, Assistant Dean (Research) of the Faculty and Assistant Professor of the Department of Applied Physics on receiving the President’s Awards for Outstanding Achievement 2024 – Research and Scholarly Activities (Outstanding Young Researcher)! The Awards recognize Prof. Leng’s significant contributions to her research work on 2D hybrid perovskites. She is a pioneer in the emerging field of ultrathin 2D hybrid perovskites and has successfully fabricated the first monolayer 2D hybrid perovskite optoelectronic devices, discovering their unique physical properties. This ground-breaking research paves the way for the application and translation of large-scale micro-nano devices in this field. Prof. Leng has published 55 scientific articles in prestigious journals, including Matter, Nature Communications, Chemistry of Materials, and the Journal of the American Chemical Society, among others. Her work has garnered over 6,300 citations and she holds an h-index of 37. Since joining PolyU in 2020, she has secured 1 ESC, 2 GRF, and 2 NSFC projects, as well as funding from the Croucher Foundation. In recognition of her outstanding research achievement in 2D perovskite materials, Prof. Leng was the recipient of a string of prestigious awards, including the Croucher Tak Wah Mak Innovation Award 2023 and China’s Excellent Young Scientists Fund 2023. She was also named one of the “Innovators Under 35” (TR35) in the Asia Pacific region by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Review and won the PolyU Young Innovative Research Award in 2023. Prof. Leng’s achievements set as role model and inspiration for young scholars and demonstrate the importance of strong determination and dedicated efforts in the pursuit of scientific discovery. Our warmest congratulations again to Prof. Leng!

Prof. Chai Yang named the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) Fellow Class of 2025

Congratulations to Prof. Chai Yang, Associate Dean (Research) of the Faculty and Professor of the Department of Applied Physics, on being selected into the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) Fellow Class of 2025 for his contributions to bioinspired in-sensor computing. IEEE is the world's largest technical professional organization dedicated to advancing technology for the benefit of humanity. It has over 460,000 members in more than 190 countries. The grade of Fellow recognises unusual distinction in the profession. It is reserved for a person with an outstanding record of accomplishments in any of the IEEE fields of interest and is recognized by the technical community as a prestigious honour and an important career achievement. The total number of Fellow recommendations in any year must not exceed 0.1% of the IEEE voting membership. Our warmest congratulations again to Prof. Chai!   Online coverage: The Paper 2025 IEEE Fellow名单出炉：戴琼海、姜大昕、尹首一、翟广涛、褚晓文等入选 7 December 2024 NetEase 刚刚，2025 IEEE Fellow名单出炉：戴琼海、姜大昕、尹首一、翟广涛、褚晓文等人入选 7 December 2024 Sina 2025 IEEE Fellow名单正式公布！戴琼海院士等120余位华人入选 7 December 2024 Sohu 2025 IEEE Fellow名单正式公布！戴琼海院士等120余位华人入选 7 December 2024 qq 刚刚，2025 IEEE Fellow名单出炉：戴琼海、姜大昕、尹首一、翟广涛、褚晓文等人入选 7 December 2024  

Six PolyU Science Scholars recognised as Highly Cited Researchers 2024 by Clarivate

Dr HUANG Bolong of the Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, Prof. CHAI Yang, Prof. HUANG Haitao, Prof. Kian Ping LOH, Prof. Tom Tao WU and Prof. YAN Feng of the Department of Applied Physics are named in the list of Highly Cited Researchers 2024 by Clarivate for their significant research impact, reflected in their publication of multiple papers that have been frequently cited by fellow academics. The list identifies the world’s most influential researchers, determined by the production of multiple highly cited papers that rank in the top 1% by citations for field and year in the Web of Science citation index over the last 11 years. Among the world’s population of scientists and social scientists, Highly Cited Researchers are 1 in 1,000.   Name Title and Department Category Prof. CHAI Yang Associate Dean (Research) Faculty of Science Professor Department of Applied Physics Cross-Field Prof. HUANG Haitao Professor Department of Applied Physics Cross-Field Prof. Kian Ping LOH Chair Professor Department of Applied Physics Cross-Field Prof. Tom Tao WU Chair Professor Department of Applied Physics Cross-Field Prof. YAN Feng Chair Professor Department of Applied Physics Cross-Field Dr HUANG Bolong Associate Professor Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology Chemistry

Prof. Chai Yang won the BOCHK Science and Technology Innovation Prize 2024

Warmest congratulations to Prof. Chai Yang of the Department of Applied Physics for being among the five scholars at Hong Kong universities who won the BOCHK Science and Technology Innovation Prize 2024. Prof. Chai, winner of the Artificial Intelligence and Robotics prize, contributed to disruptive in-sensor computing paradigms for artificial vision sensors, which enables information processing directly within the sensors. The BOCHK Science and Technology Innovation Prize recognizes outstanding scientists and research teams in Hong Kong or research-related institutions set up by Hong Kong higher education institutions and located in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area for their significant achievements in scientific and technological innovation and transformation. Each of laureates will pocket HK$2 million in prize money.  Congratulations again to Prof. Chai for the great achievement!   Online coverage: RTHK HK needs to have broad innovation development: FS 16 December 2024 Wen Wei Po 中銀科創獎壯大本地人才庫 17 December 2024 Hong Kong Commercial Daily 中銀科技創新獎2024舉行頒獎典禮 5名不同領域學者獲獎 16 December 2024 Orange News 中銀香港科技創新獎 2024今頒獎　陳茂波：要建設好支持全面創新體系 16 December 2024 Hong Kong China News Agency 5位學者分別獲中銀香港科技創新獎 16 December 2024 China News Service 香港财政司司长陈茂波：过去两年逾百家企业落户香港创逾1.7万个职位 16 December 2024 Macau Daily 五學者獲中銀香港科創獎 17 December 2024 ezone 2024中銀香港科技創新獎得主出爐 聚焦 AI、生命健康等五大領域 科研成果造福社會 13 November 2024 China Review News 科研成果貢獻大　五學者獲中銀科創獎 12 November 2024 Guangzhou Daily 一千萬獎金！ 「中银香港科技创新奖2024」获奖者名单揭晓 12 November 2024 RTHK 中銀香港科技創新獎５名學者獲獎　盧煜明稱對科創發展至關重要 (English | 中文) 11 November 2024 China Daily Five scholars bag HK$2m prizes for scientific breakthroughs 11 November 2024 Hong Kong Economic Journal 中銀香港科技創新獎2024公布獲獎名單 11 November 2024 Ta Kung Pao 五傑獲「中銀香港科技創新獎2024」獎項   總獎金1000萬 11 November 2024 Wen Wei Po 中銀香港科技創新獎５名學者獲獎　盧煜明稱對科創發展至關重要 11 November 2024 Hong Kong Commercial Daily 中銀香港科技創新獎2024公布獲獎名單 下月16日舉行頒獎典禮 11 November 2024 Bastille Post ５學者獲頒發中銀香港科技創新獎 盧煜明稱對技創新發展至關重要 11 November 2024 Dot Dot News 中銀科創獎獲獎名單揭曉　總獎金達1000萬 11 November 2024 Orange News 中銀香港科技創新獎5獲獎學者名單出爐　包括柴揚黃秀娟等 11 November 2024 Bauhinia “中銀香港科技創新獎2024”獲獎者名單揭曉 聚焦五大領域 推進發展新質生產力 11 November 2024 Yahoo HK 中銀香港科技創新獎５名學者獲獎 盧煜明稱對科創發展至關重要  11 November 2024 Quamnet 盧煜明:今屆「中銀創科獎」有10%提名來自大灣區內地 11 November 2024 Sina HK 中銀香港科技創新獎５名學者獲獎　盧煜明稱對科創發展至關重要 11 November 2024 Hong Kong China News Agency 中銀香港科技創新獎1000萬港元獎勵五位學者 11 November 2024 China News Service 香港5大领域学者获“科技创新奖” 11 November 2024 ifeng.com “中银香港科技创新奖2024”获奖者名单揭晓 聚焦五大领域 推进发展新质生产力 11 November 2024 Science Net 香港5大领域学者获“科技创新奖” 11 November 2024  

ABCT PhD graduate won the prestigious PolyU PhD Thesis Award - Outstanding Award 2024

Warmest congratulations to Dr Lei Mang Leng from the Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology on winning the prestigious PolyU PhD Thesis Award - Outstanding Award 2024. Dr Lei is a PhD student, under the supervision of Prof. Terence Lee, and her research focused on understanding the immune evasive mechanism of liver cancer cells, which leads to resistance to immunotherapy. This insight could pave the way for the development of more effective treatments for liver cancer. Her thesis entitled “Identification of Wild-Type Kirsten Rat Sarcoma (Kras) and its Signalling Pathway in Immune Evasion in Hepatocellular Carcinoma” highlights the novelty and translational implications for cancer therapy. The Graduate School of PolyU introduced the PhD Thesis Award every year to acknowledge and encourage exceptional research accomplishments by graduating PhD students. This recognition program features two categories: Outstanding and Merit, which are designed to honour students' achievements at different levels of excellence. Dr Lei is the only recipient of this recognition among all graduating PhD candidates across all faculties within PolyU this year. Before receiving this award, Dr Lei had already been recognised with the FS Outstanding PhD Thesis Award for the 2023/2024 academic year. Join us to congratulate Dr Lei and her supervisor on this amazing achievement!

PolyU Science students win gold medal in iGEM Competition 2024

Following last year's success in the international Genetically Engineered Machine (iGem) competition, a new student team of 10 undergraduates from the Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, and 1 from Electronic Engineering with Finance, “PanoPOLY”, made a great breakthrough this year in October in Paris to win our first GOLD medal. More thrillingly, PanoPOLY was selected as the Top 10 undergraduate team alongside hundreds of global top universities, with TWO nominations for the Best Oncology Project and Best New Composite Part. Under the guidance of the supervisory team (Prof. Terence Lee, Dr Clarence Wong, Dr Kevin Mu, Dr Chartia Cheung, Dr Waiting Wong, Dr Alan Lee and Dr Clare Yan), the innovative idea of creating a novel dual-targeting nanobody, “Panobody” was successfully proven to improve treatment in gemcitabine-resistant pancreatic cancer cells by our student team. The novelty in Panobody design, which brings a new hope to pancreatic cancer treatment, together with the interactive educational board game PANOPOLY, had highly impressed the judges and audience during Jamboree. Congratulations again to the winning student team! We are proud of nurturing a group of young biotechnologists who are going to shine brightly in the biotechnology field in Hong Kong and worldwide by introducing more innovative solutions for humans' healthcare. Press release: English | 中文 Online coverage:  Medical Inspire 香港醫研｜為港爭光！理大學生研抗體為胰臟癌病人帶來新曙光，勇奪國際賽金獎！ 8 November 2024 Yahoo HK 香港醫研｜為港爭光！理大學生研抗體為胰臟癌病人帶來新曙光，勇奪國際賽金獎！ 8 November 2024 Line Today 香港醫研｜為港爭光！理大學生研抗體為胰臟癌病人帶來新曙光，勇奪國際賽金獎！ 8 November 2024 Wen Wei Po 理大生研發抗體減癌症抗藥性奪金 6 November 2024