Inauguration Ceremony of Research Institute for Microbiology (RIM)
Ceremony
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Date
23 Oct 2026
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Organiser
PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research, Research Institute for Microbiology
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Time
16:00 - 18:00
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Venue
Room AG204, 2/F Podium Level, Chung Sze Yuen Building, PolyU Map
Speaker
Prof. GAO Fu
Enquiry
PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research info.pair@polyu.edu.hk
Summary
Zoonotic viral threats including influenza, coronaviruses and Ebola continuously challenge global public health. This talk will highlight key research on interspecies transmission of emerging infectious pathogens, covering structural biology of virus‑receptor interactions, virus evolution and tissue tropism. Drawing on studies of H5N1, H7N9, MERS‑CoV and SARS‑CoV‑2, it will share insights from basic discovery to translational outputs such as neutralizing antibodies and recombinant protein vaccines. It will also emphasize the critical value of scientific sharing, interdisciplinary collaboration and science communication for pandemic preparedness worldwide.
Keynote Speaker
Prof. GAO Fu
Member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences
Member of the National Academy of Sciences, USA
Professor and Director at the CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology
Chinese Academy of Sciences
China
George F. Gao is a professor at the Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and China CDC. Dr. Gao is an elected academician/fellow of several national and international academies, including Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), the U.S. National Academy of Sciences (NAS), the U.K. Royal Society (RS), the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina, and The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS). As a prominent leader in public health, virology, and immunology, Dr. Gao has made significant contributions to research and discovery through fundamental research, clinical evaluation, and advocacy, especially on the interspecies transmission mechanisms of influenza and coronaviruses.
