Senior Vice President (Research and Innovation)

Professor Christopher Chao is Senior Vice President (Research and Innovation), Chair Professor of Thermal and Environmental Engineering, and Director of Policy Research Centre for Innovation and Technology at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU). He is responsible for leading the formulation and execution of strategic development of research and innovation, knowledge transfer and entrepreneurship activities at PolyU, as well as steering its development and engagements in research-related initiatives to enhance the University’s leadership and impact both nationally and internationally.

Professor Chao earned his BSc(Eng) in Mechanical Engineering from The University of Hong Kong (HKU) in 1988, followed by an MS and PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1992 and 1994 respectively. He began his academic career at PolyU as an Assistant Professor from 1995 to 1997 before joining The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), where he rose to Head of Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering in 2014 and Chair Professor in 2015. He later served as Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at HKU from 2018 before returning to PolyU in 2021 as Vice President (Research and Innovation). He was promoted to Senior Vice President in October 2025. 

Professor Chao received the prestigious Louise and Bill Holladay Distinguished Fellow Award in 2025 from the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) in recognition of his significant contributions. He is an internationally renowned expert in the Built Environment and a highly cited researcher in Thermal Engineering. Ranked among the world’s top scholars by Clarivate’s Highly Cited Researchers and Stanford’s Top 2% Scientists, Professor Chao’s research focuses on integrating intelligent building systems with public health considerations. Recently, he has concentrated on developing infection-resilient and energy-efficient environmental systems through AI-driven energy optimization strategies. Additionally, Professor Chao has expanded his research interests to include Innovation and Technology Policy.

Professor Chao actively contributes to the professional community and the HKSAR Government. He currently serves in various leadership roles, including Senior Vice President of the Hong Kong Academy of Engineering and Chairman of Sir Edward Youde Memorial Fund Council. He is also a member of the Research Strategy Expert Group of the Chief Executive’s Policy Unit, the Board of the Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute, the Board the Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited, the Board of the Hong Kong Logistics and Supply Chain MultiTech R&D Centre, the Board of the Joseph Needham Foundation for Science & Civilisation (Hong Kong), the Council of the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers, etc.