News

Prof. CHEN Sheng elected as Fellow of American Academy of Microbiology

Congratulations to Prof. CHEN Sheng, Member of the Research Institute for Future Food (RiFood), Head of the Department of Food Science and Nutrition, and Chair Professor of Microbiology, for being elected as a Fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology (AAM) for his outstanding scientific achievements and contributions that have advanced microbiology. Prof. Chen is the only scholar from Hong Kong elected to the Class of 2024.

MHRC Associate Director Prof. Sylvia CHEN elected as Fellow of Hong Kong Academy of the Humanities

We are delighted to announce that Prof. Sylvia Xiaohua CHEN, Associate Dean of the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Chair Professor of the Department of Applied Social Sciences, Associate Director of the Mental Health Research Centre (MHRC), and Director of the Yan Oi Tong Au Suet Ming Child Development Centre, has been elected as a Fellow of the Hong Kong Academy of the Humanities (HKAH). This prestigious recognition is a testament to Prof. Chen’s exceptional scholarship and her significant contributions to humanities and social sciences in Hong Kong. Prof. Chen’s 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 impact of bilingualism and biculturalism, as well as the effects of cultural contexts on the psychological functioning of bilingual and bicultural individuals. Her research explores the influence of globalisation on the changes experienced by bicultural individuals in mindsets, values, beliefs and identifications as a result of acculturation. The HKAH was founded in 2011 with the main aims of giving recognition to scholarly excellence and providing a platform for advocacy on behalf of the humanities in Hong Kong. HKAH Fellows are recognised by their peers as scholars of the highest academic distinction, or eminent practitioners of the arts, and are honoured for their lifetime contributions to humanities.

MHRC Member Dr Jacky NG named APS Rising Star

Dr Jacky NG Chi-kit, Member of the Mental Health Research Centre (MHRC), has been selected as one of the Rising Stars of the Association for Psychological Science (APS). The Rising Star designation recognises outstanding APS members in the earliest stages of their post-PhD research career. Awardees were evaluated for their research excellence based on six criteria, including publications; recognitions; discoveries, methodological innovations, or theoretical or empirical contributions; work with potentially broad impact; commitment to diversity in science; and demonstrated independence from mentors. Dr Ng is dedicated to investigating various methodological artifacts in mediation and moderation models, and utilising these models to gain insights into various social phenomena. His research findings have been published in internationally renowned journals. Currently, Dr Ng’s research focuses on developing an implementation-friendly statistical tool to differentiate analytically equivalent models in moderation analysis and employing this tool to identify the mitigating factors for social media-induced depression.   The full list of 2024 APS Rising Stars is available at: https://www.psychologicalscience.org/members/awards-and-honors/aps-rising-stars/news-rising-stars

Two PAIR scholars bestowed HKAES Fellow honour

Congratulations to Prof. WANG Zuankai, Associate Vice President (Research and Innovation), Member of the Research Institute for Intelligent Wearable Systems (RI-IWEAR) and the Research Institute for Sports Science and Technology (RISports), and Prof. Jerry YAN Jinyue, Chair Professor of Energy and Buildings, Management Committee Member of the Research Institute for Sustainable Urban Development (RISUD) and Member of the Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Research Institute for Smart Energy (RISE), on their election as 2023 Fellows of the Hong Kong Academy of Engineering Sciences (HKAES), in recognition of their outstanding achievements in the field of science, engineering and technology for the benefit of society. The HKAES is a professional engineering organisation in Hong Kong. Elected fellows are recognised leaders in their professions with distinguished achievements in engineering sciences and their applications. A total of 13 engineering experts received the prestigious honour this year.

Prof. WANG Dan named ACM Distinguished Member

Prof. WANG Dan, Associate Director of the Research Centre for Digital Transformation of Tourism (RCDTT), Member of the Research Institute for Artificial Intelligence of Things (RIAIoT), Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Research Institute for Smart Energy (RISE) and Research Institute for Sustainable Urban Development (RISUD), has been named a 2023 Distinguished Member of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) for his contributions to data-driven applications and platforms for cyber-physical energy systems. A total of 52 computing professionals have received the 2023 ACM Distinguished Member designation. The 2023 inductees were selected by their peers for work that has advanced computing, fostered innovation across various fields and improved computer science education.   Online coverage: AIThority - https://polyu.me/3vN7MFW

Dr ZHAO Xin receives Biomaterials Young Investigator Award

Congratulations to Dr ZHAO Xin, Member of the Research Institute for Future Food (RiFood), Research Institute for Intelligent Wearable Systems (RI-IWEAR) and Research Centre for Chinese Medicine Innovation (RCMI), Associate Professor in the Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology (ABCT), for receiving the 2024 Biomaterials Young Investigator Award. Dr Zhao’s research focuses on Translational Regenerative Medicine, where she integrates material science, cell biology, engineering and medicine, to develop solutions for modulating cell micro-environments, controlling cell behaviours and generating tissue-engineered organs, thus addressing critical clinical issues. Launched by the Society of Biomaterials together with international journals including Biomaterials and Materials Today, the award recognises and encourages early career researchers in biomaterials science with outstanding contributions to the field.  An award ceremony will be held at the 12th World Biomaterials Congress on 26–31 May 2024 in Daegu, South Area.  Dr Zhao will receive the award in person and share on her innovative research.

Prof. Raymond WONG elected as Foreign Member of European Academy of Sciences

Congratulations to Prof. Raymond WONG Wai-yeung, Executive Committee Member of the Research Institute for Sustainable Urban Development (RISUD), Associate Director of the Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Research Institute for Smart Energy (RISE), Member of the Research Institute for Intelligent Wearable Systems (RI-IWEAR) and the Research Institute for Sports Science and Technology (RISports) and Dean of the Faculty of Science, on his election as a Foreign Member of the European Academy of Sciences (EurASc) in the Chemistry Division! EurASc is a renowned international association dedicated to advancing scientific knowledge and promoting scientific excellence and collaboration. This esteemed recognition is a testament to Prof. Wong’s remarkable research achievements and his outstanding contributions to the field of chemistry around the world.

Two PAIR scholars receive First Prizes of CSVE Science and Technology Awards 2023

Two collaborative projects co-led by PAIR scholars and mainland researchers have been awarded First Prizes of Science and Technology Awards 2023 by the Chinese Society of Vibration Engineering. A total of 16 projects were awarded this year, including 4 for first prizes and 12 for second prizes. PolyU is the only institution in Hong Kong receiving this prestigious honour. The award-winning PolyU project “Acoustic black holes and applications to vibration and noise control in equipment engineering”, co-led by Prof. CHENG Li, Management Committee Member of the Research Institute for Artificial Intelligence of Things (RIAIoT), Member of the Research Institute for Intelligent Wearable Systems (RI-IWEAR) and the Research Institute for Sports Science and Technology (RISports), Associate Dean (Research) of the Faculty of Engineering and Chair Professor of Mechanical Engineering, aims to address issues of vibration and noise in engineering applications. The team unveiled the fundamental physical principles of slow wave phenomena in vibrating structures, established a comprehensive analysis and design methodology, and devised new structures suitable for diverse vibration and noise control applications in equipment engineering. Another award-winning PolyU project “Machine learning methods for structural health diagnosis and operation maintenance of bridges”, co-led by Prof. XIA Yong, Management Committee Member of RIAIoT, Member of the Research Institute for Sustainable Development (RISUD) and the Research Centre for Deep Space Explorations (RCDSE), Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, aims to develop cutting-edge machine learning methods for full-field measurement and modal identification, damage detection, reliability evaluation, and decision-making in the operational maintenance of bridges. These innovative techniques help enable accurate health diagnosis and cost-effective operation maintenance strategies for bridge structures.

PolyU-led Scolioscan wins gold award at GBA High-value Patent Portfolio Layout Competition

Scolioscan, a 3D ultrasound imaging system for radiation-free scoliosis assessment, has won the Gold Award at the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area High-value Patent Portfolio Layout Competition 2023. The system was developed by the research team led by Prof. ZHENG Yongping, Director of the Research Institute for Smart Ageing (RISA), Director of the Jockey Club Smart Ageing Hub, Henry G. Leong Professor in Biomedical Engineering and Chair Professor of Biomedical Engineering. Scolioscan is the world’s first and only ultrasound scoliosis assessment system. The technology can provide images of spine structure with the accuracy of spinal deformity measurement comparable with X-ray results. It is radiation-free, cost-effective, and can be used without site limitations. The system only takes 30 seconds to complete the scan and assessment, and the operating cost is about one-third of that of traditional equipment.  Scolioscan has over 26 patent clusters and more than 100 patents in total. The system also has 19 world-leading and pioneering technologies. It has been clinically tested and used in more than 50 hospitals and clinics in Europe, Australia, Mainland China, and Hong Kong, and the results have been published in more than 20 international journal publications. In addition to earlier accumulated financing of over HK$100M, the startup company has further secured about HK$23M in pre A+ financing during the competition of this award. Scolioscan is currently being processed for the registration of Food and Drug Administration (FDA), preparing to enter the US market. Jointly organised by the Guangdong Administration for Market Regulation (Guangdong Intellectual Property Administration), the Intellectual Property Department of the HKSAR Government, the Economic and Technological Development Bureau of the Macao SAR Government, and relevant municipal governments in the provinces of China, the competition shortlisted 100 quality projects from 809 entries, and selected winning projects for 10 gold awards, 15 silver awards, and 25 excellence awards.   Online coverage: Ta Kung Pao - https://polyu.me/48q9T17 Wen Wei Po - https://polyu.me/3ScAqIr

ADoPAIR appointed as Endowed Professor in Chinese Culture and Creative Design

Congratulations to Prof. Lilly LI, Associate Director of PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research (PAIR) and Professor in the School of Fashion and Textiles, for being appointed as Cally Kwong Mei Wan Professor in Chinese Culture and Creative Design. Prof. Li focuses on the integration of culture, creative design and technology through design thinking. Her research works drive industry innovation through an interdisciplinary approach. Prof. Li has secured over 70 research projects, resulting in innovative, cutting-edge technologies and products. These innovations have been widely adopted for commercial applications, contributing to a total knowledge transfer value exceeding HK$350 million. The Endowed Professorship Scheme aims to recognise outstanding PolyU academics and their contributions. Endowed professors are provided with extra resources to continue their excellent work in research and teaching.  Further reading: https://polyu.hk/dOzSY