PolyU honours six early-career scholars with Young Innovative Researcher Award in recognition of their outstanding interdisciplinary innovative research achievements
30 May 2025
Recipients of the 2025 Young Innovative Researcher Award: (1st row, from left) Dr Au Man Ting, Research Assistant Professor of the Department of Biomedical Engineering; Prof. Lin Wanyu, Assistant Professor of the Department of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence and Department of Computing; and Prof. Pan Kai, Associate Professor of the Department of Logistics and Maritime Studies (2nd row, from left) Dr Tao Yong, Research Assistant Professor of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering; Dr Wang Bruce Xiao, Research Assistant Professor of the Department of English and Communication; and Prof. Xu Wanghuai, Assistant Professor of the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has presented the Young Innovative Researcher Award (YIRA) 2025 to six early-career scholars in recognition of their research excellence. Their innovative work spans a range of fields including biomedical engineering, materials science, smart city development, sustainable construction, speech therapy and green energy, underscoring the University’s robust capacity and potential in interdisciplinary research.
Prof Christopher CHAO, PolyU Vice President (Research and Innovation), extended his heartfelt congratulations to all awardees and said, “PolyU is committed to excellence in scientific research and knowledge transfer. The research achievements of the young researchers fully demonstrate remarkable dedication to advancing knowledge and making a positive impact on society through research innovations. We look forward to witnessing the continued excellence of their research endeavours and long-term contributions to the well-being of society and humanity globally.”
The six winning entries exemplify the transformative power of cutting-edge technologies in addressing some of the world’s most pressing challenges. The projects focus on: novel therapy that precisely targets joints to provide effective osteoarthritis treatment; an efficient deep learning framework for facilitating the design of high-performance crystal materials; data-driven models and solutions for smart city operations to reduce carbon emission; upcycling waste concrete into low-carbon building materials for sustainable construction; ultrasound scans to investigate how tongue muscles work in those with speech difficulties for better treatment plans; and an efficient electrostatic wave energy converter that harnesses abundant wave energy resources.
Now in its fourth year, YIRA aims to recognise early-career scholars for their outstanding research excellence, fostering impactful, interdisciplinary research that drives the development of innovative technologies and addresses the evolving needs of society and industry. Individual researchers under the age of 35 who demonstrate exceptional research capabilities are eligible for the Award. Each awardee will receive HKD500,000 in research funding, along with a personal cash prize of HKD20,000, to further support their pursuit of forward-looking research and career development.
The Young Innovative Researchers 2025 awardees (in alphabetical order):
|
Awardees |
Project Title |
Project Description |
|
Dr AU Man Ting Research Assistant Professor, Department of Biomedical Engineering |
Revitalising Joints – In situ Chondrocyte-specific Endothelial Receptor-targeted CAR Tregs for Osteoarthritis Treatment |
This therapy uses engineered immune cells to precisely target joints, block harmful signals, reduce inflammation and repair damage, providing effective osteoarthritis treatment. |
|
Prof. LIN Wanyu Assistant Professor, Department of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence and Department of Computing |
An Interpretable Deep Learning-based Computational Framework for Crystal Materials Design |
This project aims to build an efficient and interpretable deep learning framework for generating crystal materials and predicting their properties. It will facilitate the design of high-performance crystal materials. |
|
Prof. PAN Kai Associate Professor, Department of Logistics and Maritime Studies |
Data-driven Smart Cities Operations towards Carbon Neutrality |
This research develops data-driven models and solutions for smart city operations and facilitates an energy-efficient integration of the power grid with electrified ground/air mobility to create a carbon-neutral society. |
|
Dr TAO Yong Research Assistant Professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering |
Advancing CO2 Mineralisation and Waste Concrete Valorisation for a Sustainable Future |
This project upcycles waste concrete into high-performance, low-carbon building materials with CO2 mineralisation, paving the way for sustainable construction and carbon neutrality. |
|
Dr WANG Xiao Bruce Research Assistant Professor, Department of English and Communication |
Tongue Skeletal Muscle Examination Using Ultrasonography as a Diagnostic Tool for Dysarthric Speech |
This research uses ultrasound scans to investigate how tongue muscles work in people with speech difficulties, helping speech therapists create better treatments to improve speech intelligibility. |
|
Prof. XU Wanghuai Assistant Professor, Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering |
Developing a Charge Path-Modulated Wave Energy Generator with High Efficiency and Power Density |
This project will develop an efficient and durable electrostatic wave energy converter to harness abundant wave energy resources around Hong Kong for offshore power generation and self-powered wireless systems. |
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