News

Prof. Nathanael JIN receives AAEES “40 Under 40 Recognition Program” Award 2025

Prof. Nathanael JIN Ling, Member of the Research Institute for Future Food (RiFood) and the Research Institute for Sustainable Urban Development (RISUD), and Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and the Department of Health Technology and Informatics, has been recognised by the American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists (AAEES) as one of the recipients of the “40 Under 40 Recognition Program” Award for 2025. Prof. Jin’s interdisciplinary research focuses on the intersection of environmental chemistry, toxicology and microbiology. His works addresses critical planetary health challenges, including air pollution’s impact on human health and marine pollution’s effects on wildlife. Prof. Jin’s research has been recognised by multiple Best Paper and Most Popular Paper Awards. He was invited by Nature to contribute commentaries to discuss global issues such as microbial hazards in plastic waste and health disparities from air pollution. Full list of the award recipients: https://www.aaees.org/40under40

Three PAIR academics honoured as Fellows of Hong Kong Academy of Engineering

Congratulations to Prof. TAO Xiaoming, Management Committee Member of PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research (PAIR) and Director of Research Institute for Intelligent Wearable Systems (RI-IWEAR), Ir Prof. YIN Jian Hua, Management Committee Member of Research Institute for Land and Space (RILS), and Ir Prof ZHAO Xiao Lin, Associate Director of RILS, on their elections as Fellows of the Hong Kong Academy of Engineering (HKAE). An induction ceremony was held on 20 January 2025 at Hotel ICON. The HKAE is a prestigious organisation dedicated to promoting and advancing the engineering field in Hong Kong. The Academy aims to foster collaboration, innovation, and excellence in engineering, contributing to the advancement of society and the development of Hong Kong and the Nation. It comprises a distinguished group of Fellows from various disciplines, recognised as leaders in their profession, with remarkable achievements in engineering sciences and applications.  Full list of the new Fellows: https://hkae.hk/en/hong-kong-academy-engineering-welcomes-eleven-new-fellows

Prof. XIA Yong awarded ASCE Greater China Distinguished Leadership Medal 2025

Congratulations to Prof. XIA Yong, Member of Research Institute for Sustainable Urban Development (RISUD), Research Centre for Deep Space Explorations (RCDSE), and Professor of Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, on receiving the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Greater China Distinguished Leadership Medal at the 3rd ASCE Greater China Conference held at Guangxi University from 10 to 12 January 2025. This award recognises Prof. Xia’s exceptional innovative contributions and outstanding leadership in advancing the ASCE Greater China Section and the civil engineering profession in the region. The selection process for this award involved a comprehensive evaluation of criteria such as professional contributions, academic influence and international engagement. The ASCE Greater China Section serves as a vital platform for fostering the growth of civil engineering in Greater China. It facilitates knowledge exchange, networking opportunities and professional development among its members, uniting engineers across diverse disciplines within civil engineering, including structural, geotechnical, construction, environmental, materials and water resources.

PolyU-invented Mobile Ankle-foot Exoneuromusculoskeleton wins CES 2025 Innovation Award in US

The Mobile Ankle-foot Exoneuromusculoskeleton developed by Prof. HU Xiaoling, Associate Professor of the Department of Biomedical Engineering and Co-founder of PolyU startup Thecon Technology (HK) Limited, and her research team, received the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2025 Innovation Award in the Accessibility and AgeTech category at the CES 2025 held in Las Vegas, United States.  Prof. Hu is a Member of the Research Institute for Smart Ageing (RISA) and the Research Institute for Sports Science and Technology (RISports). The award-winning innovation is a multimodal robot rehabilitation designed for ankle-foot rehabilitation, specifically aimed at improving the motor function and walking ability of stroke patients.  Organised by the Consumer Technology Association, CES is the world’s largest and most influential consumer electronics technology exhibition. This year’s event features over 4,500 global exhibitors, showcasing innovations demonstrating the integration of cutting-edge electronic technology with modern living. Press release: https://polyu.me/4gFquC5 Online coverage: KTSF26 - https://polyu.me/3WaypyT The Sun Daily - https://polyu.me/3C3ukGa Sina HK - https://polyu.me/40uDlRR Hong Kong Economic Times - https://polyu.me/3E4pfxG Wen Wei Po - https://polyu.me/40cAQSN Hong Kong Commercial Daily - https://polyu.me/403wlda HK01 - https://polyu.me/4jbzgcI Dot Dot News - https://polyu.me/4fNvaVn Hong Kong China News Agency - https://polyu.me/4hc8f7k Forbes - https://polyu.me/3WgK2V6

RIAIoT member Dr ZHANG Shuowen recognised as “N²Women Rising Star”

Congratulations to Dr ZHANG Shuowen, Member of the Research Institute for Artificial Intelligence of Things (RIAIoT), for being recognised by N2Women (Networking Networking Women) as one of the ten “N²Women 2024 Rising Stars in Computer Networking and Communications”, for her outstanding contributions to solving challenging beamforming and resource allocation optimisation problems in various wireless communication systems. N2Women is a discipline-specific community of researchers in the fields of networking and communications. It encourages diversity and aims at fostering connections among under-represented women in the computing sub-field. Its annual list of rising stars recognises women who have outstanding research outcomes and/or service contributions in the field. Full list: https://n2women.comsoc.org/awards/rising-stars/2024-rising-stars-in-computer-networking-and-communications/

Prof. CHAI Yang elected as IEEE Fellow

Prof. CHAI Yang, Management Committee Member of the Research Institute for Intelligent Wearable Systems (RI-IWEAR), Member of the Research Institute for Artificial Intelligence of Things (RIAIoT), Photonics Research Institute (PRI) and Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Research Institute for Smart Energy (RISE), Associate Dean (Research) of the Faculty of Science, and Professor of the Department of Applied Physics, has been elected to the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) Fellow Class of 2025 for his contributions to bioinspired in-sensor computing.  Headquartered in the United States, IEEE is the world’s largest technical professional organisation dedicated to advancing technology for the benefit of humanity. The IEEE Fellow grade recognises unusual distinction in the profession and is awarded to persons with outstanding record of accomplishments in any of the IEEE fields of interest.    Online coverage: The Paper - https://polyu.me/3ZJRtXf NetEase - https://polyu.me/41lYdeY Sina - https://polyu.me/3ZKXrXW Sohu - https://polyu.me/4f4aub7 qq - https://polyu.me/3OHl90P

Eleven PAIR members recognised amongst world’s most highly cited researchers 2024

Eleven scholars from PAIR have been named in the list of “Highly Cited Researchers 2024” by Clarivate Analytics. This recognition is a testament to PolyU’s research and academic excellence, and its dedication to making broad positive societal impact. This annual list recognises researchers who have demonstrated significant impact in their respective research fields. Each researcher selected has authored multiple highly-cited papers that have ranked in the top 1% by citations for their fields and publication year in the Web of Science over the past 11 years. This year, a total of 6,636 researchers from 59 countries and regions from diverse fields have been named as Highly Cited Researchers. PAIR researchers named in the Clarivate Analytics Highly Cited Researchers 2024 list (in alphabetical order): Name and Title PAIR Constituent Research Unit(s) Cross-Field Prof. CHAIYang Associate Dean (Research), Faculty of Science Professor, Department of Applied Physics Management Committee Member of Research Institute for Intelligent Wearable Systems (RI-IWEAR) Member of Photonics Research Institute (PRI), Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Research Institute for Smart Energy (RISE) and Research Institute for Artificial Intelligence of Things (RIAIoT) Prof. HUANG Haitao Professor, Department of Applied Physics Member of Photonics Research Institute (PRI), Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Research Institute for Smart Energy (RISE), Research Institute for Sustainable Urban Development (RISUD), Research Institute for Advanced Manufacturing (RIAM) and Research Centre for Resources Engineering towards Carbon Neutrality (RCRE) Prof. LI Gang Sir Sze-yuen Chung Endowed Professor in Renewable Energy Chair Professor, Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering Management Committee Member of Photonics Research Institute (PRI) Associate Director of Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Research Institute for Smart Energy (RISE) Member of Research Institute for Intelligent Wearable Systems (RI-IWEAR) and Research Institute for Sustainable Urban Development (RISUD) Prof. Kian Ping LOH# Chair Professor, Department of Applied Physics Member of Photonics Research Institute (PRI) Prof. Geoffrey Q. P. SHEN Associate Vice President (Global Partnerships) Chair Professor, Department of Building and Real Estate Management Committee Member of Research Institute for Sustainable Urban Development (RISUD) Member of Research Institute for Land and Space (RILS) and Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Smart Cities Research Institute (SCRI) Prof. WANG Zuankai Associate Vice President (Research and Innovation) Kuok Group Professor in Nature-Inspired Engineering Chair Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering Member of Research Institute for Sports Science and Technology (RISports) and Research Institute for Intelligent Wearable Systems (RI-IWEAR) Prof. Tom Tao WU Chair Professor, Department of Applied Physics Member of Photonics Research Institute (PRI) and Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Research Institute for Smart Energy (RISE) Prof. YAN Feng Chair Professor, Department of Applied Physics Associate Director of Research Institute for Intelligent Wearable Systems (RI-IWEAR) Member of Photonics Research Institute (PRI), Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Research Institute for Smart Energy (RISE), Research Institute for Sustainable Urban Development (RISUD) and Research Institute for Sports Science and Technology (RISports) Dr ZHANG Xiao Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering 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) Engineering   Prof. YAN Jinyue Jerry Chair Professor, Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering Management Committee Member of Research Institute for Sustainable Urban Development (RISUD) Member of Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Research Institute for Smart Energy (RISE) Chemistry   Dr HUANG Bolong Associate Professor, Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology Member of Research Institute for Intelligent Wearable Systems (RI-IWEAR), Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Research Institute for Smart Energy (RISE) and Research Institute for Future Food (RiFood) #Primary affiliation is with National University of Singapore

Prof. Sylvia Xiaohua CHEN elected as Fellow of The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS)

Prof. Sylvia Xiaohua CHEN, Associate Dean of the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Chair Professor of the Department of Applied Social Sciences, Interim Director of the Mental Health Research Centre, and Director of the Yan Oi Tong Au Suet Ming Child Development Centre at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, has been elected as a Fellow of The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS). Prof. Chen is the only elected fellow in Hong Kong, and the only Chinese scholar elected in the field of Social & Economic Sciences this year. TWAS is a global science academy based in Trieste, Italy, dedicated to promoting scientific capacity and excellence for sustainable development in developing countries. Elected TWAS fellows represent the world’s distinguished scientists in various disciplines, including some Nobel laureates. This year, a total of 74 new fellows from 28 countries and regions worldwide have been elected for 2025, and 10 are from Chinese institutions. Prof. Chen is a Chartered Psychologist of the British Psychological Society, a Registered Psychologist of the Hong Kong Psychological Society, Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, the flagship journal of the International Association for Cross-Cultural Psychology, and General Editor of Cambridge University Press Culture and Psychology Series. Her research focuses on personality and social psychology, cross-cultural psychology, as well as the psychosocial and cultural aspects of mental health. She investigates the social psychology of bilingualism and biculturalism, globalization and multiculturalism, personality and social behavior in cultural contexts, as well as cultural diversity and mental health. Her research team established the framework of immigration-based acculturation and globalisation-based acculturation, and developed the theoretical construct of Global Orientations, which have been empirically extended to 35 countries and regions, significantly contributing to the study of social integration and post-COVID cooperation. She is a Fellow of the Hong Kong Academy of the Humanities, the Association for Psychological Science, the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, and the Hong Kong Psychological Society, and a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (now Advance HE), United Kingdom. She served as President of the Asian Association of Social Psychology, and received various academic awards, including the Outstanding International Psychologist Award conferred by the Division of International Psychology (Division 52) of the American Psychological Association, and the Humanities and Social Sciences Prestigious Fellowship Scheme awarded by the Research Grants Council (RGC).

Prof. Benny C.F. CHEUNG elected to College of Fellows of American Society for Precision Engineering

Congratulations to Prof. Benny C. F. CHEUNG, Associate Director of the Research Centre for SHARP Vision (RCSV) and Chair Professor of Ultra-precision Machining and Metrology in the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, on his election as a member of the College of Fellows of the American Society for Precision Engineering (ASPE) during the 39th ASPE Annual Meeting held in Houston, Texas, USA, on 7 November 2024. Prof. Cheung is the first Chinese scholar elected to the ASPE College of Fellows. The prestigious honour recognises his sustained and ongoing advancements in cutting mechanics and surface generation mechanisms, modelling and simulation of ultra-precision machining processes, ultra-precision surface measurement, and the design and development of innovative ultra-precision machining processes and instrumentation. The ASPE strives to advance arts, science, and technology of precision engineering. The Society elects exceptional members to the College of Fellows in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the art and practice of precision engineering through original research, significant innovations, education and outreach, or services to the profession.

Prof. CHAI Yang wins BOCHK Science and Technology Innovation Prize 2024

Congratulations to Prof. CHAI Yang, Associate Dean (Research) of the Faculty of Science and Professor of the Department of Applied Physics, on winning the BOCHK Science and Technology Innovation Prize 2024 (Artificial Intelligence and Robotics). Prof. Chai was honoured for his contribution 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 is a non-governmental merit-based award that aims at rewarding 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 awardee will receive a HK$2 million cash prize. Prof. Chai is currently a Management Committee Member of the Research Institute for Intelligent Wearable Systems (RI-IWEAR), and a Member of the Photonics Research Institute (PRI), the Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Research Institute for Smart Energy (RISE) and the Research Institute for Artificial Intelligence of Internet of Things (RIAIoT).   Online coverage: RTHK - https://polyu.me/3AEvyXz China Daily Hong Kong - https://polyu.me/4hM5Gdg Hong Kong Economic Journal - https://polyu.me/4hGz1Wm Ta Kung Pao - https://polyu.me/3Cm13pP Wen Wei Po - https://polyu.me/40Biay5 Hong Kong Commercial Daily - https://polyu.me/3YLX4KI Bastille Post - https://polyu.me/3YHSKfB Dot Dot News - https://polyu.me/4fHjm7f Orange News - https://polyu.me/40NB9Fw Bauhinia - https://polyu.me/3UMz8Wv Yahoo HK - https://polyu.me/4eqXwUL Quamnet - https://polyu.me/4fHz6XX Sina HK - https://polyu.me/4ep9Ft5 Hong Kong China News Agency - https://polyu.me/40AUycW China News Service - https://polyu.me/48MKTC1 ifeng.com - https://polyu.me/3YG1Mtz Science Net - https://polyu.me/48Pd5nN