Awards and Achievements

PolyU Science Academicians and Distinguished Scholars

The Faculty of Science is committed to conducting cutting-edge research and creating positive impacts. Over the years, our researchers have strived to achieve excellence in research and innovation, earning recognition as leaders in different research areas. We are pleased to introduce six FS Academicians and Distinguished Scholars who are at the top and have made significant achievements in their respective fields. They are Prof. Raymond Wong, Dean of FS and Chair Professor of Chemical Technology; Prof. Chai Yang, Associate Dean of FS; Prof. Sun Defeng, Head of AMA and Chair Professor of Applied Optimisation and Operations Research; Prof. Hao Jianhua, Chair Professor of Materials Physics and Devices; Prof. Yang Tong, Chair Professor of Mathematical Science; and Prof. Zheng Zijian, Chair Professor of Soft Materials and Devices. To learn more about our Academicians and Distinguished Scholars, please visit: https://www.polyu.edu.hk/academicians/ Watch Videos: https://www.polyu.edu.hk/fs/news-and-events/video-corner/

PolyU Science researchers won the President’s Awards for Outstanding Achievement 2023 – Research and Scholarly Activities (Outstanding Young Researcher)

Congratulations to Prof. Zijian Zheng, Chair Professor of Soft Materials and Devices of the Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, and Prof. Buyang Li, Professor of the Department of Applied Mathematics on receiving the President’s Awards for Outstanding Achievement 2023 – Research and Scholarly Activities (Outstanding Young Researcher)! The Awards recognize Prof. Zheng’s and Prof. Li’s significant contributions to their research work. Their dedication, hard work, and innovative research have made a mark in academia and created impactful innovation to society. Our warmest congratulations again to Prof. Zheng and Prof. Li!

Dr James Fang is named one of the six 2024 Pew Marine Fellows worldwide

Congratulations to Dr James Kar-Hei Fang, Associate Professor of the Department of Food Science and Nutrition (FSN), on being selected as one of the six global recipients for the 2024 Pew Fellowship in Marine Conservation. Dr Fang is the sole recipient from the entire East Asia region this year. The Pew Marine Fellows are selected by an international expert committee of marine science through a rigorous nomination and review process. Each recipient of the Pew Fellowship in Marine Conservation is granted US$150,000 over three years to pursue a research project dedicated to marine conservation. Dr Fang’s research focuses on restoring pearl oyster reefs to promote marine environmental health, biodiversity and seafood sustainability in Hong Kong.

PolyU Science Research on Ferroelectricity was published in Nature Communications

The research conducted by Prof. Hao Jianhua, Chair Professor of Materials Physics and Devices in the Department of Applied Physics, and Weng Fu Io, a research student from his group, was published in Nature Communications. The title of the research is "Direct Observation of Intrinsic Room-Temperature Ferroelectricity in 2D Layered CuCrP₂S₆". Their research studies the robust out-of-plane ferroelectricity in two-dimensional layered CuCrP₂S₆ at room temperature down to 2.6 nm, which is a potential candidate for realizing low-dimensional multiferroicity. Throughout this study, the origin of the robust ferroelectric behaviors at atomic perspective is revealed. Nature Communications is one of the world’s top journals that publishes high-quality research articles across various disciplines in the natural sciences. The journal is known for its rigorous peer-review process and its commitment to publishing significant and impactful research. To read the article in Nature Communications, please visit here.

Prof. Wong Wai-yeung, Raymond was elected as the Foreign Member of European Academy of Sciences

Warmest congratulations to Prof. Wong Wai-yeung, Raymond, Dean of the Faculty of Science at PolyU, on being elected as the Foreign Member of the European Academy of Sciences (EurASc) in the Chemistry Division! This esteemed recognition is a testament to Prof. Wong's outstanding contributions to the field of chemistry and his remarkable research achievements. Prof. Wong attended the official certificate presentation ceremony of membership of EurASc on 30 Oct 2024 in the Academy of Sciences of Lisbon. EurASc is a renowned international association dedicated to advancing scientific knowledge and promoting scientific excellence and collaboration. Being elected as a Foreign Member indicates that Prof. Wong's work has transcended national borders and has made a significant impact on the global scientific stage.

Dr Kathy Leng receives Croucher Tak Wah Mak Innovation Award 2023

Dr Kathy K. Leng, Assistant Professor of the Department of Applied Physics, has been honoured at the “Croucher Tak Wah Mak Innovation Awards 2023” in recognition of her outstanding achievements in material physics. She’s awarded a funding of HK$5 million for research expenses. Dr Leng is currently a tenure-track Assistant Professor and Presidential Young Scholar at PolyU. Her research focuses on hybrid organic-inorganic materials that can be made as thin as graphene and she is enthusiastic about the promise such materials show in smart devices and spintronics. Press release: English | Chinese Online coverage: Mirage News Croucher Foundation Honors Four Scholars with Innovation Awards 11 December 2023 Ming Pao Daily News 物理學者實現童年夢 狀元回流獲裘槎大獎 12 December 2023 Hong Kong Economic Times 【裘槎科研獎】港產物理學家研量子糾纏獲獎　盼研室溫超導體奪「聖杯」 12 December 2023 Sing Tao Daily 科大學者研量子材料獲裘槎前瞻科研獎 12 December 2023 Ta Kung Pao 港四學者獲頒「裘槎麥德華前瞻科研大獎」 12 December 2023 Wen Wei Po 專研線粒體 冀製新藥治失調 12 December 2023 Hong Kong Economic Journal 港4學者奪裘槎科研獎 各獲500萬 13 December 2023 China News Service 2023年“裘槎麦德华前瞻科研大奖”在香港颁奖 12 December 2023 China Review News 港四學者獲頒“裘槎麥德華前瞻科研大獎” 12 December 2023 ifeng.com 2023年“裘槎麦德华前瞻科研大奖”在香港颁奖 12 December 2023 East Money 2023年“裘槎麦德华前瞻科研大奖”在香港颁奖 12 December 2023  

Five PolyU Science Scholars recognised as Highly Cited Researchers 2023 by Clarivate

Dr HUANG Bolong of the Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, Prof. Daniel S.P. LAU, 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 2023 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. Daniel S.P. LAU Chair 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 Professor Department of Applied Physics Cross-Field Dr Huang Bolong Associate Professor Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology Chemistry

Young PolyU scientist lauded in MIT Technology Review Innovators Under 35 Asia Pacific 2023

Congratulations to Dr Kathy Leng, Assistant Professor of AP, for being named by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Review as one of the “Innovators Under 35” (TR35) in the Asia Pacific region in 2023 in recognition of her outstanding research contributions.   Dr Leng is actively engaged in research focused on discovering new physics in the emerging field of molecularly thin 2D hybrid perovskites. She has developed a set of nanotechnology tools and methods for investigating these materials at the molecular level and harnessing their potential for multifunctional smart device applications. Currently, her team is focusing on the large-scale growth of molecularly thin 2D hybrid perovskite films and exploring their novel spintronic device applications.   MIT Technology Review identifies the TR35 annually from diverse technical fields, including biotechnology and medicine, energy and material, artificial intelligence, quantum computing and telecommunications, and intelligent manufacturing. This recognition is given to 35 top-notch young innovators who have demonstrated significant impact, leading capabilities, and ground-breaking achievements in their respective research areas.    Press release: English | 中文   Online coverage: Hong Kong China News Agency 理大青年科學家入選《麻省理工科技評論》亞太區“35歲以下科技創新35人”

Top 2% Scientists Worldwide 2023 by Stanford University

Thirty-four PolyU Science members are ranked as the World’s Top 2% most-cited scientists 2023 by Stanford University.  Using the Scopus author profiles as of 1 Oct 2023, Stanford University released the latest top 2% scientists in various scientific fields. The list was prepared by Prof. John Ioannidis and his team from Stanford University, the updated database (version 6) provides standardized information on citations, h-index, co-authorship-adjusted hm-index, citations to papers in different authorship positions, and a composite indicator.  Download the latest database (version 6):  https://elsevier.digitalcommonsdata.com/datasets/btchxktzyw/6 Congratulations to our top scientists!   Career-long Data Name of Researcher Department Subject Field Prof. Wong Wai Yeung Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology Organic Chemistry Prof. Wong Wing Tak Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology Inorganic & Nuclear Chemistry Prof. Zheng Zijian Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology  Nanoscience & Nanotechnology Prof. Yao Zhongping Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology Analytical Chemistry Dr Huang Bolong Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology Nanoscience & Nanotechnology Prof. Sun Defeng Department of Applied Mathematics Operations Research Prof. Chen Xiaojun Department of Applied Mathematics Operations Research Prof. Yang Tong Department of Applied Mathematics General Mathematics Prof. Lin Yanping Department of Applied Mathematics Numerical & Computational Mathematics Prof. Yang Xiaoqi Department of Applied Mathematics Operations Research Prof. Lau Shuping Department of Applied Physics Applied Physics Prof. Chai Yang Department of Applied Physics Nanoscience & Nanotechnology Prof. Hao Jianhua Department of Applied Physics  Nanoscience & Nanotechnology Prof. Loh Kian Ping Department of Applied Physics Nanoscience & Nanotechnology Prof. Wu Tao Department of Applied Physics Nanoscience & Nanotechnology Prof. Yan Feng Department of Applied Physics Nanoscience & Nanotechnology Prof. Huang Haitao Department of Applied Physics Nanoscience & Nanotechnology Prof. Yu Siu Fung Department of Applied Physics Optoelectronics & Photonics Prof. Chen Sheng Department of Food Science and Nutrition Microbiology Prof. Lee Ming Yuen Department of Food Science and Nutrition Medicinal & Biomolecular Chemistry Prof. Wu Jian Yong Department of Food Science and Nutrition Biotechnology   Single Recent Year Data Name of Researcher Department Subject Field Prof. Wong Wai Yeung Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology Organic Chemistry Prof. Wong Kwok Yin Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology Inorganic & Nuclear Chemistry Prof. Zheng Zijian Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology Nanoscience & Nanotechnology Prof. Terence Lee Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology  Oncology & Carcinogenesis Prof. Yao Zhongping Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology Analytical Chemistry Dr Ho Cheuk Lam Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology Organic Chemistry Dr Huang Bolong Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology Nanoscience & Nanotechnology Dr Zhao Xin Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology Biomedical Engineering Prof. Sun Defeng Department of Applied Mathematics Operations Research Prof. Chen Xiaojun Department of Applied Mathematics Operations Research Prof. Yang Tong Department of Applied Mathematics General Mathematics Prof. Hu Xianpeng Department of Applied Mathematics General Mathematics Prof. Li Buyang Department of Applied Mathematics Numerical & Computational Mathematics Prof. Wang Zhian Department of Applied Mathematics Applied Mathematics Dr He Daihai  Department of Applied Mathematics  Microbiology Prof. Lau Shuping Department of Applied Physics Applied Physics Prof. Chai Yang Department of Applied Physics Nanoscience & Nanotechnology Prof. Hao Jianhua Department of Applied Physics Nanoscience & Nanotechnology Prof. Loh Kian Ping Department of Applied Physics Nanoscience & Nanotechnology Prof. Wu Tao Department of Applied Physics Nanoscience & Nanotechnology Prof. Yan Feng Department of Applied Physics Nanoscience & Nanotechnology Prof. Huang Haitao Department of Applied Physics Nanoscience & Nanotechnology Prof. Tsang Yuen Hong Department of Applied Physics Nanoscience & Nanotechnology Prof. Yu Siu Fung  Department of Applied Physics   Optoelectronics & Photonics Dr Zhang Biao Department of Applied Physics Nanoscience & Nanotechnology Dr Yin Jun Department of Applied Physics Nanoscience & Nanotechnology Prof. Chen Sheng Department of Food Science and Nutrition Microbiology Prof. Lee Ming Yuen Department of Food Science and Nutrition Medicinal & Biomolecular Chemistry Prof. Wong Man Sau Department of Food Science and Nutrition Medicinal & Biomolecular Chemistry Prof. Wu Jian Yong Department of Food Science and Nutrition Biotechnology Dr Kenneth Lo Department of Food Science and Nutrition General & Internal Medicine  

Dr Kathy Leng received the Excellent Young Scientists Fund (Hong Kong and Macao) by the National Natural Science Foundation of China

Congratulations to Dr Kathy Leng of the Department of Applied Physics on awarding the 2023 Excellent Young Scientists Fund (Hong Kong and Macao) by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC). Dr Leng’s project title is “Molecularly thin hybrid perovskites and novel devices”. The Excellent Young Scientists Fund is one of the prominent funding schemes under the National Nature Science Foundation of China. The fund supports young scholars with outstanding research performance to conduct innovative research. Each awardee will receive funding of RMB2 million to support their scientific research projects in Hong Kong for a maximum of three years.