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MHRC members named among 2025 World’s Best Scientists by Research.com

Twelve members of the Mental Health Research Center (MHRC) have been named by leading academic research portal Research.com among the world’s best scientists in their respective disciplines, including Computer Science, Medicine, Neuroscience, Psychology, and Social Sciences and Humanities. The ranking is compiled based on a scientist’s D-index (Discipline H-index), which includes exclusively papers and citation metrics for an examined discipline. This international recognition highlights MHRC members’ exceptional contributions to their fields and the significant impact their research has had on the society. *Based on the 4th edition of Research.com ranking *In alphabetical order of disciplines and surnames of scholars World Ranking National Ranking MHRC Member D-Index Citations Publications Discipline   1504 185 (China) Prof. QIN Jing 72 19,492 316 Computer Science 716 79 (United Kingdom) Prof. Keith HAWTON 158 85,107 724 Medicine 7181 121 (China) Prof. Georg KRANZ 38 4,729 173 Neuroscience 3954 52 (China) Prof. QIU Anqi 54 10,038 206 Neuroscience 2758 35 (China) Prof. Benjamin YEE 63 15,473 186 Neuroscience 10011 99 (China) Dr Alma AU 30 2,879 106 Psychology 9782 5062 (United States) Prof. CAI Huajian 30 6,185 107 Psychology 8737 82 (China) Prof. Sylvia CHEN 34 5,092 83 Psychology 137 82 (United States) Prof. Patrick CORRIGAN 130 78,129 589 Psychology 2740 23 (China) Prof. David SHUM 62 15,108 366 Psychology 3840 35 (China) Prof. Winnie MAK 54 11,382 213 Psychology 49 1 (China) Prof. Paul YIP 104 180,365 557 Social Sciences and Humanities  

MHRC receives donation from Bright Future Charitable Foundation to develop mobile app for enhancing adolescent mental health

Prof. Hector TSANG, Chair Professor of Rehabilitation Sciences and Co-Founder of the Mental Health Research Centre (MHRC) of PolyU, has received a generous donation from the Bright Future Charitable Foundation for the project “E-Breathing to Reduce Psychological Distress in Adolescents”. The two-year project aims to develop a mobile-based intervention for the early detection of Hong Kong adolescents at risk of psychological distress. The app “E-Breathing” uses Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) to capture the psychological symptoms and support needs of adolescents and prompts users to engage in slow-paced breathing exercises when they score high on negative affect. The study will conduct a randomised controlled trial (RCT) with 148 participants and evaluate the app’s effectiveness in improving users’ mood.

PAIR Newsletter · Issue 14 · June 2025 is now available online

We are excited to release the latest issue of the PAIR Newsletter! Knowledge transfer is fundamental to research development.  Issue 14 of the PAIR Newsletter provides a glimpse of the recent activities at PAIR involving the flow of ideas and diffusion of technology, including PAIR’s annual International Advisory Committee (IAC) meeting, inaugural Public Forum for Research and Innovation, noteworthy events as well as latest external collaborations in phytonutrients research, drug development and the upcycling of food waste. Collaboration is integral to unleashing universities’ research impact.  The Feature Stories section offers the perspectives of three noted scholars on research collaborations.  PAIR Senior Fellow, Prof. Iain McCULLOCH from Princeton University explains the importance of a versatile, collaborative culture for research translation and commercialisation.  PAIR IAC Member, Prof. CUI Zhanfeng from Oxford University delves into the trend of global universities’ increasing research collaborations with China.  Prof. FAN Jintu, Director of the Research Centre of Textiles for Future Fashion (RCTFF) shares PolyU’s latest developments for driving China’s textile and fashion industries forward through the transformation of textile technology research. The Research Achievements section and People section include our researchers’ latest breakthroughs and accomplishments in the fields of ferroelectrics, health, energy, hydroclimatology, computing, hydraulics environmental engineering and more.  Our latest episode of PAIR Research Impact Video Series introduces the novel electrocatalytic carbon dioxide reduction system developed by PAIR researcher which contributes to carbon neutrality by converting carbon dioxide into raw material for plastics.  Read on to discover the latest updates at PAIR! PAIR Newsletter · Issue 14: https://www.polyu.edu.hk/pair/publications/issue-14/

PolyU hosts the inaugural Master Lecture by Prof. Zhang Wenhong, Director of the National Medical Centre for Infectious Diseases, on the value of medical innovations in combating pandemics

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU)’s Department of Health Technology and Informatics (HTI), together with the PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research (PAIR) and PolyU Academy for Artificial Intelligence (PAAI), today co-hosted the inaugural PolyU Master Lecture. Prof. ZHANG Wenhong, Director of the National Medical Centre for Infectious Diseases and Head of the Institute of Infection and Health at Fudan University, gave the keynote speech, “The Race between Evolving Infectious Diseases and Human Technology”, sharing insights on how medical innovation and technology can rapidly anticipate and counteract the challenges posed by the unpredictable progress of infectious diseases before the next pandemic emerges. The event attracted approximately 450 participants, including PolyU faculty members, students, alumni, healthcare professionals and members of the public. Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, PolyU President, expressed gratitude to Prof. Zhang for sharing his profound insights on the prevention and control of infectious diseases, which enriched participants’ understanding. He remarked, “During the COVID-19 pandemic, the virus genome monitoring system developed by a PolyU research team became a pivotal tool for the HKSAR Government’s precise pandemic response. In recent years, PolyU has been actively promoting interdisciplinary innovation through PAIR and other research platforms, and advancing research in cutting-edge fields, including artificial intelligence (AI) and healthcare. PolyU has submitted a forward-looking and innovative proposal to the Government for the establishment of Hong Kong’s third medical school, aiming to leverage the University’s robust capabilities in medical science, medicine and engineering integration, and AI-driven medicine to nurture a new generation of healthcare professionals who are socially responsible and technologically proficient.” Prof. Zhang Wenhong is a world-renowned expert on infectious disease control, specialising in the clinical diagnosis, treatment and prevention of infectious diseases. He is currently Head of the Department of Infectious Diseases at Huashan Hospital affiliated with Fudan University, Director of the Shanghai Sci-Tech Inno Centre for Infection and Immunity, and Dean of the Department of Internal Medicine at Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University. He has been appointed as an Honorary Professor of the PolyU Department of Health Technology and Informatics and serves as an Expert Advisory Committee member for the University’s proposed third medical school. A prominent figure in the field of infectious diseases in Mainland China, Prof. Zhang has been honoured as a COVID-19 fight role model and a Young and Middle-Aged Expert with Outstanding Contributions of the National Health Commission in recognition of his exceptional professional excellence in the Nation’s fight against the pandemic. He is also a recipient of the 2nd National Award for Excellence in Innovation, as well as other awards, for his scientific and technological achievements. During his lecture, Prof. Zhang shared insights on the origins and evolution of infectious diseases, the importance and challenges of vaccination during pandemics, and how medical innovations can predict and counter pandemic outbreaks. Prof. Zhang pointed out that infectious diseases evolve in unpredictable patterns, constantly reshaping themselves in ways that challenge the medical community’s ability to anticipate the next dangerous variant. While medical researchers methodically develop vaccines and treatments through careful scientific processes, disease-causing organisms rapidly adapt through random mutations that can bypass the most sophisticated defences. Prof. Zhang further pointed out that while vaccination can effectively reduce the severity and mortality rate of infections, the silent transmission chains within communities and the emergence of new variants can weaken the protection vaccines provide. Developing new vaccines will enable the global community to respond more effectively and help prevent future outbreaks and epidemics. Key strategies in addressing the next pandemic include achieving herd immunity, scaling up vaccine production, improving treatment plans, and developing tools and methods for the detection, response and containment of future infectious threats. The following Q&A session was moderated by Prof. YANG Hongxia, Executive Director of PAAI and Prof. Gilman SIU, Professor of the HTI. Prof. Zhang engaged in in-depth exchanges with participants, inspiring all present. Online coverage: Now TV - https://polyu.me/4kkxWo0 CRHK - https://polyu.me/44YCXhk Hong Kong Commercial Daily - https://polyu.me/4kJRxhj  Yahoo HK - https://polyu.me/4jpXa35  Line Today - https://polyu.me/453bLOx Oriental Daily News - https://polyu.me/4mN7GV6 Ming Pao Daily News - https://polyu.me/3Z8Kmqz Hong Kong Economic Journal - https://polyu.me/4kJj0zt Ta Kung Pao - https://polyu.me/3T1LGbc Wen Wei Po - https://polyu.me/4jzyULL Hong Kong Commercial Daily - https://polyu.me/4jtxuT6 HK01 - https://polyu.me/3HlACmM Dot Dot News - https://polyu.me/3HgmWJQ Orange News - https://polyu.me/45ocytB Bauhinia - https://polyu.me/3SwSzBe Line Today - https://polyu.me/3HgVxrd Global News - https://polyu.me/4khGr36 ifeng.com - https://polyu.me/4dGdgEi Day Day News - https://polyu.me/3HnWkqa

PolyU research reveals rising soil nitrous acid emissions driven by climate and fertilisation change accelerate global ozone pollution

A study led by Prof. WANG Tao, Executive Committee member of the Research Institute for Sustainable Urban Development (RISUD), Chair Professor of Atmospheric Environment in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, along with his research team, has unveiled the pivotal role that soil nitrous acid (HONO) emissions play in the increase of the ozone mixing ratio in the air and their negative impact on vegetation. The team analysed global soil HONO emissions data from 1980 to 2016. The researchers found that soil HONO emissions have increased from 9.4 Tg N in 1980 to 11.5 Tg N in 2016. Using the chemistry-climate model to simulate the impact of these emissions on atmospheric composition, they discovered an average 2.5% rise annually in the global surface ozone mixing ratio, with localised increases reaching up to 29%. The team pointed out that soil HONO emissions are influenced by the combined effects of nitrogen fertiliser usage and climate factors such as soil temperature and soil water content, resulting in seasonal and geographical variations. The research established a comprehensive dataset by integrating multiple variables, including climate factors like soil temperature, soil water content, and fertiliser type and application rates into the parameterisation scheme. For unquantifiable factors such as microbial activities, land use, and soil texture, the team applied diverse parameters based on latitude, longitude, and land use data of the corresponding soil samples. The findings have been published in Nature Communications. Read the full paper: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-57161-6

PolyU participates in Asia Summit on Global Health, showcasing innovations in healthcare technology

  The global demand for healthcare continues to rise due to an ageing population and the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases. Scholars, startups, and research teams from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) participated in the Asia Summit on Global Health (ASGH) at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on 26 and 27 May. They shared insights with industry experts from around the world and showcasing the University’s research achievements in healthcare technology innovations. Prof. Christopher CHAO, Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU, stated, “PolyU has consistently harnessed expertise and research capabilities in fields such as artificial intelligence (AI), healthcare, public health, and engineering. We leverage the unique advantages of medical and engineering integration and empowering medicine with AI to develop innovative solutions that meet societal needs. As a pioneer in innovation and entrepreneurship, PolyU is committed to nurturing startups and promoting the commercialisation of research outcomes to contribute to the well-being of society and humanity globally.” Prof. ZHANG Weixiong, Associate Director of PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research, Chair Professor of Systems Biology and Artificial Intelligence of the Department of Health Technology and Informatics and Global STEM Scholar, participated in a thematic session on the theme of “Data-driven Healthcare Transforming Patient Journey”. With industry peers, he explored innovative applications of and prospects for using big data and AI technologies in optimising patient healthcare processes. Prof. Zhang highlighted the importance of healthcare data for researchers and the need for long-term collaboration among all stakeholders to collectively advance healthcare research and innovation. Additionally, seven PolyU startups, three research teams, and The InnoHK Centre for Eye and Vision Research showcased their research and technological achievements in healthcare technology at the “InnoHealth Showcase” and ASGH exhibition respectively. Their innovations cover areas such as pharmaceutical and therapeutics, AI and digital health, medical device and diagnostics, and community health and wellness, highlighting PolyU’s strengths in these fields. PolyU is dedicated to advancing innovation and entrepreneurship development that benefits to the world. Through PolyUVentures, its signature startup ecosystem, the University bolsters PolyU startups at every stage of their entrepreneurial journeys – from education and ideation to incubation, acceleration and fundraising. Over the years, PolyU has nurtured about 600 startups, including two listed companies, three unicorns and 26 ponies. Online coverage: Wen Wei Po - https://polyu.me/43iuswc  

Two PAIR members receive PolyU Young Innovative Researcher Award 2025

Congratulations to the following two rising stars at PAIR for winning the PolyU Young Innovative Researcher Award (YIRA) 2025! YIRA aims to honour young PolyU researchers under the age of 35 who have demonstrated originality, contributed to technological advancement, and propelled transformational innovation into solutions to addressing global challenges through their research. Each awardee will receive a research funding support of HK$500,000 and a personal cash prize of HK$20,000 to encourage their continued pursuit of innovative and impactful research. Awardee Post Title and Department Affiliated PAIR Research Unit Research Focus Prof. LIN Wanyu Assistant Professor of Department of Data Science & Artificial Intelligence and Department of Computing Member of Research Institute for Artificial Intelligence of Things An Interpretable Deep Learning-Based Computational Framework for Crystal Materials Design Dr TAO Yong Research Assistant Professor of Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering Member of Research Centre for Resources Engineering towards Carbon Neutrality   Advancing CO2 Mineralization and Waste Concrete Valorization for a Sustainable Future  

RCTFF and RI-IWEAR co-host The Fiber Society 2025 Spring Conference

The Fiber Society 2025 Spring Conference was successfully held on the PolyU campus, 21–23 May 2025. The conference was jointly hosted by various PolyU units including the School of Fashion and Textiles, Research Centre of Textiles for Future Fashion (RCTFF), and Research Institute for Intelligent Wearable Systems (RI-IWEAR), Joint Research Centre for Fiber Innovations and Renewable Materials, and PolyU–Xingguo Technology and Innovation Research Institute. Prof. SHOU Dahua, Associate Director of RCTFF and member of RI-IWEAR, was the Conference Chair of the Organising Committee. Themed “Future Fibers for Wellbeing, Intelligence, and Sustainability”, the event brought together more than 300 scholars, experts and industry representatives from approximately 20 countries and regions, and featured total of 200 high-quality academic presentations focusing on the latest advancements in fiber science. Founded in 1941, The Fiber Society is dedicated to the advancement of scientific knowledge pertaining to fibers, fiber-based products, and fibrous materials. Its members include chemists, physicists and engineers specialising in fiber science engineering and technology.

Net-zero future - Nanotech expert Prof. G.Q. Max LU explores revolutionary advances in green hydrogen

Prof. G.Q. Max LU, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Surrey in the United Kingdom, delivered the 39th PAIR Distinguished Lecture titled “Functional Nanomaterials for Green Hydrogen Production and Storage” on 20 May 2025 on the PolyU campus. The lecture drew over 60 attendees in person and captivated an online audience of more than 15,900 from different countries and regions who watched the live broadcast on social media platforms. The lecture commenced with a warm welcome by Prof. CHEN Qingyan, Director of PAIR, followed by an introduction of the speaker by Prof. Christopher CHAO, Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU. Prof. Lu began his presentation with a brief outline of the role of functional nanomaterials in addressing global challenges and advancing green hydrogen technologies. He highlighted the critical importance of electrodes, membranes, catalysts and photocatalysts in enhancing the efficiency and scalability of electrolysis and photocatalysis systems, as well as the significance of solid-state storage materials in overcoming challenges related to hydrogen storage and distribution, noting that some low-pressure solutions are already in use. Still, Prof. Lu emphasised that further technological innovations are needed to reduce costs and enhance performance. He explained that green hydrogen is a valuable energy carrier; it can not only contribute to decarbonisation in the power sector, but also act as zero-emission fuel for sea, land and air freight, which is crucial for the achievement of a net-zero future by 2050. In conclusion, Prof. Lu called on the academic community to accelerate the commercialisation of new materials for the construction of cost-effective hydrogen infrastructure, and urged researchers to bridge the gap between technology R&D and practical applications. Following the presentation was a lively question-and-answer session moderated by Prof. Chen. The audience engaged in a productive discussion with Prof. Lu, covering a wide spectrum of areas such as hydrogen energy infrastructure planning, technical safety considerations, commercialisation, and cost-effectiveness of nanotechnology for hydrogen production and storage. Please click here for an online review.

DoMHRC honoured among Top 50 Asia Women Tech Leaders 2025 for advancing mental health and brain research

Prof. QIU Anqi, Director of the Mental Health Research Centre (MHRC), Professor in the Department of Health Technology and Informatics and Global STEM Scholar, has been recognised as one of the “Top 50 Asia Women Tech Leaders 2025”. This recognition stands as a testament to Prof. Qiu’s outstanding contributions to the fields of neuroimaging and biomedical engineering, particularly in advancing research on mental health and brain development. Prof. Qiu has spearheaded ground-breaking projects utilising advanced neuroimaging and computational techniques, significantly advancing research on early brain development. Her innovative approach has uncovered critical insights into how maternal mood influences fetal brain health, leading to transformative changes in prenatal mental health screening. Additionally, she pioneered a non-invasive imaging method that enhances MRI safety for paediatric patients, setting new standards in the field. Moreover, Prof. Qiu has introduced novel research that advances our understanding of the neural mechanisms underlying the relationship between obesity and its implications on cognitive health in adults. The research underscores the clinical importance of a multifaceted approach to the long-term monitoring and management of obesity. It reveals a distinct and progressive pattern of brain deterioration linked to obesity, suggesting that sustained obesity may accelerate brain ageing. Beyond Prof. Qiu’s professional achievements, this award also recognises her remarkable leadership. As a dedicated mentor, she continues to inspire and empower women in STEM. Her influence and commitment to fostering the next generation of female technology leaders are commendable. The Asia Women Tech Leaders Awards was recently held in Singapore. Its “Top 50 Asia Women Tech Leaders” aims to honour women who drive technological innovation, lead research, and manage complex tech projects with expertise and operational excellence. For more about Prof. Qiu’s impactful research: PolyU research reveals sustained obesity may accelerate brain ageing PolyU scholar confirms maternal positive mental health correlated to children’s brain development For more about MHRC: https://www.polyu.edu.hk/mhrc/