News

Prof. MA Cong highlights emerging opportunities for medical AI in Hong Kong at Asia Healthcare Summit

Prof. MA Cong, Member of the Research Centre for Chinese Medicine Innovation (RCMI) and Associate Professor of the Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology of PolyU, recently served as a panellist at a thematic session of the 6th Asia Healthcare Summit, held during the 5th International Healthcare Week, where he shared insights into transforming healthcare through digital health & AI innovations. Prof. Ma noted that Hong Kong possesses several unique advantages for the development of “AI + healthcare”, including strong scientific research capabilities, government policy support, a well-established healthcare system and robust intellectual property protection.  He added that the establishment of the Hong Kong Centre for Medical Products Regulation will help facilitate the approval of new local drugs and accelerate the translation and commercialisation of research outcomes. He explained that the development of medical artificial intelligence in Hong Kong has progressed through three stages.  As early as 2021, AI had already been applied to lung imaging diagnosis, before extending to stroke and ophthalmic disease screening.  At present, development has advanced towards genetic risk assessment and early disease prediction, driving a shift in healthcare from a treatment-led model to a prevention-first approach.  He pointed out that AI can not only optimise medical workflows and improve the efficiency and accuracy of image interpretation, but also support personalised health management and public health decision-making, bringing even greater potential to the development of smart healthcare. In addition, Prof. Ma’s research team has combined generative AI with structural biology to speed up antibiotic development.  They have already identified active candidate molecules targeting five types of difficult-to-treat infections, with two candidate drugs having entered the preclinical safety evaluation stage.  This highlights Hong Kong’s efforts in accelerating the development of a comprehensive healthcare innovation and technology ecosystem.   Online coverage: Wen Wei Po - https://polyu.me/42r4lC8 Hong Kong China News Agency - https://polyu.me/4uFLbV5

Prof. Mike LAI urges Hong Kong to grow high-value maritime services to secure global shipping hub status

Against a backdrop of global supply chain restructuring and rising geopolitical risks, Hong Kong’s shipping industry is facing mounting challenges, including cargo diversion, persistently high costs and intensifying competition from regional ports.  In his recent op-ed published in Wen Wei Po, Prof. Mike LAI Kee-hung, Co-Director of the Research Centre for Environmental, Social, and Governance Advancement (RCESGA), Associate Dean (Academic Support) of the Faculty of Business, Interim Head of the Department of Logistics and Maritime Studies, and Chair Professor of Shipping and Logistics, noted that the core challenge confronting Hong Kong’s shipping industry is not merely a decline in cargo volume, but a structural imbalance.  He argued that Hong Kong must fully leverage its institutional strengths, international networks and strong financial services capabilities to accelerate its transformation into a diversified and integrated shipping hub. Prof. Lai said that, in line with the nation’s 15th Five-Year Plan, Hong Kong could enhance its overall competitiveness and attractiveness by reducing port and cross-boundary transport costs, promoting direct access for Greater Bay Area lorries to the Kwai Tsing Container Terminals, and encouraging green vessels to call at Hong Kong.  At the same time, Hong Kong should focus on developing high-value maritime services, including shipping finance, marine insurance, legal arbitration, ship management and green finance, while also expediting the implementation of electronic bills of lading and the enhancement of the recently launched port community system to improve the integration of logistics, capital and information flows, thereby improving overall service efficiency. The article also suggests that the ports of Hong Kong, Shenzhen and Guangzhou should clearly define their respective roles: Hong Kong should focus on international trans-shipment and high-end services, Shenzhen on exports from high-tech manufacturing, and Guangzhou on inland intermodal transport.  Through coordination and complementarity, rather than destructive competition, the three ports can jointly strengthen the Greater Bay Area’s strategic position as a new global hub for maritime trade.   Online coverage: Wen Wei Po - https://polyu.me/4tnzUaP

Prof. Sylvia Xiaohua CHEN elected as Member of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts

Prof. Sylvia Xiaohua CHEN, Associate Dean of the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Chair Professor of Social and Cultural Psychology in the Department of Applied Social Sciences, Director of the Yan Oi Tong Au Suet Ming Child Development Centre, and Co-Founder of the Mental Health Research Centre (MHRC) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, has been elected as a Member of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts (EASA) under Class V: Social Sciences, Law, and Economics. EASA is a learned society based in Salzburg, Austria, committed to promoting scientific and societal progress. Its members include leading scientists, artists, and practitioners of governance who are dedicated to innovative research, interdisciplinary and transnational collaboration, as well as the exchange and dissemination of knowledge. The Academy comprises seven distinct classes representing various academic and artistic disciplines: Humanities, Medicine, Arts, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, Law and Economics, Technical and Environmental Sciences, and World Religions. Prof. Chen’s research spans personality and social psychology, cultural psychology, and mental health, with a focus on bilingualism and biculturalism, culture and globalisation, personality and social behaviour in cultural contexts, and the psychosocial and cultural dimensions of mental health. She is a Chartered Psychologist of the British Psychological Society and a Registered Psychologist and Fellow of the Hong Kong Psychological Society.  Prof. Chen’s honours include the Outstanding International Psychologist Award from the American Psychological Association and the Humanities and Social Sciences Prestigious Fellowship from the Research Grants Council. She is a Fellow of major scholarly and professional societies, including The World Academy of Sciences, the Hong Kong Academy of the Humanities, the Association for Psychological Science, and the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, as well as a Senior Fellow of Advance HE, UK. She has served as President of the Asian Association of Social Psychology, and is currently Editor‑in‑Chief of the Journal of Cross‑Cultural Psychology and General Editor of the Cambridge University Press Culture and Psychology Series.  

PolyU research reveals hidden health risks from urban airborne microbes

Public concern about air pollution has traditionally focused on chemical pollutants in fine particulate matter (PM2.5), such as vehicle exhaust and industrial emissions. However, recent research from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) shows that microbial components in the air — including bacteria, fungi, viruses and cellular debris — may also pose significant but overlooked health risks. The study was led by Prof. Nathanael Jin Ling, Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Department of Health Technology and Informatics. The research team carried out a systematic analysis of the microbial components of PM2.5 and found that bacteria make up the largest share. In particular, they identified endotoxin, a structural component of bacterial cell walls, as a major concern. Although endotoxin represents less than 0.0001% of the total mass of PM2.5, it can account for up to 17% of the inflammatory response in the human respiratory system. In other words, among all currently known PM2.5 components, endotoxin exhibits the highest toxicity and health impact relative to its mass. The findings suggest that reducing the overall mass of PM2.5 alone may not be enough to lower the health risks of air pollution. Instead, more effective protection may depend on identifying and controlling trace components with very high toxicity, even when present at extremely low concentrations. The study was published in Environmental Science & Technology under the title “Disproportionately Higher Contribution of Endotoxin to PM2.5 Bioactivity than Its Mass Share Highlights the Need to Identify Low-Concentration, High-Potency Components”. In a separate study, Prof. Jin’s team collaborated with researchers from overseas universities to investigate airborne Candida in urban air and assess its potential transmission routes and community infection risks. Candida species are classified by the World Health Organization as priority pathogens. The researchers detected multidrug-resistant Candida parapsilosis in urban air and found close genetic links between these airborne strains and clinical strains from infected patients. This suggests that people may unknowingly be exposed to drug-resistant fungi through everyday breathing or skin contact, thereby increasing the potential risk of community infection. The study also showed that Candida species are seasonally common in urban air and widely distributed across various built environments, including wastewater treatment plants, healthcare settings and residential ventilation systems. Among the species studied, Candida parapsilosis showed particularly strong environmental resilience and drug resistance, making it a notable fungal threat in urban air. This study was published in Environmental Science & Technology Letters under the title “Public Health Implications of Airborne Candida: Viability, Drug Resistance, and Genetic Links to Clinical Strains”. Prof. Jin is a member of several research units under PAIR, including the Research Institute for Future Food (RiFood), the Research Institute for Sustainable Urban Development (RISUD) and the Mental Health Research Centre (MHRC). Read the full studies: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.est.5c07255 https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.estlett.5c00795 Press release:https://polyu.me/48CazTc   Online coverage: Mirage - https://polyu.me/3QKCiuI The National Tribune - https://polyu.me/4cJzdnm Bastille Post - https://polyu.me/42EmA6X EurekAlert - https://polyu.me/3OLPTBx Head Topics - https://polyu.me/49nP8Wb

Prof. Raymond WONG elected Fellow of Chinese Chemical Society

Congratulations to Prof. Raymond WONG Wai-yeung, Dean of Faculty of Science, Clarea Au Professor in Energy and Chair Professor of Chemical Technology, on his election as a Fellow of the Chinese Chemical Society (FCCS).  He is the only Fellow from a Hong Kong institution to have been elected this year, among a total of 50 Fellows. Established in 2019, the Chinese Chemical Society (CCS) Fellowship is the highest level of membership conferred by the Society.  It recognises senior members who have made significant contributions to chemistry and related fields, or outstanding contributions to the development of the Society, and encourages their continued efforts in advancing science and technology, while also promoting the development of China’s chemical industry.  To date, 346 scholars have been elected as FCCS fellows. Prof. Wong is a distinguished scholar in the field of advanced materials and energy science. His research focuses on the design and synthesis of molecular functional materials and one‑ and two‑dimensional metallopolymers with photofunctional properties and energy applications.  His team is committed to transforming cutting-edge chemistry research into meaningful solutions for sustainable energy. Prof. Wong is currently Associate Director of the Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Research Institute for Smart Energy (RISE), Member of the Research Institute for Sustainable Urban Development (RISUD), the Research Institute for Intelligent Wearable Systems (RI-IWEAR) and the Research Institute for Sports Science and Technology (RISports).

Three PAIR members receive PolyU Young Innovative Researcher Award 2026

Congratulations to the following three rising stars at PAIR for winning the PolyU Young Innovative Researcher Award (YIRA) 2026! 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 Affiliated PAIR Research Unit Research Focus Prof. GE Jingjie Assistant Professor, Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology Member of Research Institute for Advanced Manufacturing (RIAM), Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Research Institute for Smart Energy (RISE) and Research Centre for Resources Engineering towards Carbon Neutrality (RCRE) Designing Low-cost, High-efficient Anodic Catalysts for Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Production Prof. LIU Tao Assistant Professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering Member of Research Institute for Sustainable Urban Development (RISUD) and RCRE Net-Zero Wastewater Management through Circular Resource Utilisation Prof. YANG Lidong Assistant Professor, Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering Member of RIAM, Research Institute for Sports Science and Technology (RISports) and Research Centre for Deep Space Explorations (RCDSE) Trustworthy AI-assisted Magnetic Microcatheter (AI-M2) System: An Enabling Paradigm for Intelligent Superselective Endoluminal Interventions

Internal and external collaboration in tandem: PolyU study identifies key drivers of sustainable hospitality

The hotel industry plays an important role in reducing society’s overall environmental footprint. However, achieving meaningful progress depends not only on hotel operators themselves, but also on the many external stakeholders who shape and influence decision-making. A study led by Prof. WANG Dan, Associate Director of the Research Centre for Digital Transformation of Tourism (RCDTT) and Professor in the School of Hotel and Tourism Management, proposes a new framework to help the industry strengthen environmental management through more effective stakeholder engagement. Based on case studies of five international hotel chains in Beijing and Shanghai, the research examined how the effectiveness of sustainability initiatives was influenced by multiple stakeholder groups. It shows that hotel owners, employees, guests, industry associations and local communities all affect the outcomes of sustainability initiatives. Drawing on stakeholder theory, the researchers classified stakeholders according to three criteria: by power, legitimacy and urgency. Hotel owners and employees were identified as “definitive” stakeholders because of their direct influence over the design and delivery of green practices. However, owners’ commitment to such initiatives was often limited by cost concerns and return-on-investment considerations, particularly in relation to the introduction of new technologies aimed at reducing energy use and emissions. The study also highlights the need for staff training and clearer communication with guests. The paper, titled “Pathway to Environmental Management in the Hotel Industry: A Stakeholder Engagement Framework”, has been published in the Journal of China Tourism Research. Read the full paper: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/19388160.2024.2374726#abstract   Online coverage: Hotel Online - https://polyu.me/41XWZG4 Hospitality Net - https://polyu.me/3QvICpW 4Hoteliers - https://polyu.me/4mR1YBM Travel Daily News Asia-Pacific - https://polyu.me/4cXDBhp Pacific Asia Travel Association - https://polyu.me/4ddeRTu Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals - https://polyu.me/3QBDi4k HITEC - https://polyu.me/4cFbxk2 Travel News Hub - https://polyu.me/4vNYRi6 Travel & Tourism Foundation - https://polyu.me/4tMpl2k Top25World - https://polyu.me/4tEsMrw HotelTalks - https://polyu.me/4tEIzXt VisitBali - https://polyu.me/4tH8ii0 Thailand Tourist - https://polyu.me/3QR8aOd

New health eating explained: Prof. Kenneth LO on new “inverted pyramid” dietary guidelines

Prof. Kenneth LO Ka-hei, Member of the Research Institute for Future Food (RiFood) and the Research Institute for Smart Ageing (RISA) and Assistant Professor of the Department of Food Science and Nutrition, was interviewed by Now TV programme “Medicine Online”.  During the interview, he shared his professional views on the “inverted pyramid” dietary guidelines recently published by the US Government. Prof. Lo explained that the inverted food pyramid emphasises the concept of “Eat Real Food”, aiming to prevent chronic diseases and improve long-term health.  For grains consumption, he suggested mixing red rice or brown rice with white rice to increase fibre intake. Moreover, amid the wide array of dietary approaches available these days, he advised the public to choose high-quality protein, consume less refined starch, fried food and processed food, and control salt and sauces intake to help reduce the risk of developing chronic diseases over time.   Online coverage: Now TV - https://polyu.me/4tyzgsb (8:16 - 10:09; 10:59 - 11:26) Headline for HK - https://polyu.me/4sTx6lC

PolyU study: Hong Kong’s shipping industry must shift from throughput-driven competition to high value-added services

Hong Kong’s shipping industry is at a critical stage of transformation and upgrading.  A PolyU study has found that the city’s shipping ecosystem is gradually evolving from a traditional container terminal-led model towards a new diversified landscape jointly driven by freight forwarding, maritime services, insurance, finance, and cross-boundary collaboration. The study is led by Prof. Mike LAI Kee-hung, Co-Director of the Research Centre for Environmental, Social, and Governance Advancement (RCESGA), Associate Dean (Academic Support) of the Faculty of Business, Interim Head of the Department of Logistics and Maritime Studies, and Chair Professor of Shipping and Logistics.  It notes that, while container terminals remain an important foundation of the shipping system, the core momentum behind the industry’s sustainable development has increasingly shifted to freight forwarders and a range of professional services with stronger digital capabilities and greater efficiency in resource integration.  Amid intensifying port competition within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and uncertainty arising from the restructuring of global supply chains, Hong Kong must move beyond a development mindset focused solely on growth in throughput.  To consolidate its position as an international shipping centre, the city should instead strengthen the connectivity and transformation capacity of its overall shipping ecosystem. Prof. Lai suggests that Hong Kong should focus on three key priorities in the future: accelerating port digitalisation and data connectivity; strengthening collaboration with Greater Bay Area cities in sea-land-air intermodal transport; and further expanding and upgrading high value-added professional services such as marine insurance, maritime finance, compliance advisory, and green finance.  These efforts will help drive Hong Kong’s transition from a “port city” to a comprehensive international shipping services centre.   Online coverage: Wen Wei Po - https://polyu.me/4vJKDPf

Unlocking New Perceptual Dimensions: Prof. ZHANG Jie on AI’s Leap from Vision to Sound and Vibration Sensing

On 23 April 2026, Prof. ZHANG Jie, Chair Professor in Faculty of Business for Science and Technology, University of Science and Technology of China, delivered a PAIR Distinguished Lecture titled “Machine Listening: Extending AI from Vision to Sound and Vibration Sensing” at the PolyU campus. The lecture attracted almost 100 scholars, researchers and students onsite, and nearly 16,000 online viewers across various social media platforms to explore how the emerging field of “machine listening” is transforming urban monitoring, disaster prevention, and infrastructure safety. Prof. Zhang opened the lecture by outlining the major challenges in today’s science and technology. He noted that while AI has reached significant maturity in visual perception, sound and vibration data remain “largely underutilised” in the digital era. He emphasised that machine learning in the domain of sound and vibration sensing is still at an early stage, with vast development potential ahead. While sharing technical insights, Prof. Zhang also reflected on his life and research journey. He remarked, “Only by fully committing myself and giving it everything I had did I discover how fascinating a discipline could be.” He emphasised that true excellence comes through continuous learning and self‑improvement. Technological innovation is now driven by cross‑disciplinary collaboration and collective progress, rather than individual heroism.  To illustrate how machine listening can be translated from concept to practice, Prof. Zhang presented several innovative real-world cases where sound sensing complements visual systems. Among them, he highlighted the “CitySeis” project in Hefei, where approximately 50,000 seismic sensors have been deployed to achieve citywide coverage, enabling continuous monitoring of subsurface structural changes and subway safety, and providing critical information beyond visual perception. He presented applications of “RoadSeis” in digital traffic systems and weight‑in‑motion sensing, showing how vibration signals can predict vehicle weight and assess road health. These examples demonstrated that machine listening can surpass visual technologies, offering a fuller picture of infrastructure conditions above and below ground. The lecture concluded with a highly interactive Q&A session moderated by Prof. CHEN Jianli, Chair Professor of Space Geodesy and Earth Sciences. Discussions extended beyond technical theory to research ethics, societal impact, and cross‑disciplinary applications of machine listening, including smart ageing and home safety. Prof. Zhang shared his passion for lifelong scientific inquiry, while the session highlighted how AI can transcend visual limitations, opening new dimensions for research and industry.  Please click here for an online review.