ABCT PhD Graduate Achieved the FS Outstanding PhD Thesis Award 2021-22

We are delighted to announce that Dr. MOK Ho Kit, ABCT PhD graduate under the supervision of Prof. Terence LEE, has received the FS Outstanding PhD Thesis Award 2021/22.  The FS Outstanding PhD Thesis Awards Scheme aims to recognize the outstanding PhD students in the Faculty of Science for the high quality of their theses produced during their studies at PolyU.  Dr. MOK’s research focuses on the understanding of the molecular mechanism for the development of acquired resistance to multiple-kinase inhibitors in liver cancer. His winning thesis, entitled “Cholesterol biosynthesis: A critical determinant of cancer stemness and drug resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma?” covered the original work on the identification of the potential therapeutic approaches for improving cancer treatment via targeting cholesterol biosynthesis in liver cancer cells.  Dr. MOK’s thesis has demonstrated novelty, originality and significance in treatment of liver cancer, which ranks the fifth most common cancer in Hong Kong. The results and findings from this research work have directly contributed to three high-impact factor journals as first author as well as two presentation awards in research symposia both locally and internationally.    Let’s us take this opportunity to congratulate Dr. MOK for his achievement and honor. 

Dr WONG Ka Hing admitted as a Fellow of the International Association of Advanced Materials

Congratulations to Dr WONG Ka-hing for being admitted as a Fellow of the International Association of Advanced Materials (IAAM) and received the IAAM Scientist Award for his contribution to Applications of Nanotechnology.Invited by IAAM, Dr Wong has delivered a lecture entitled “Selenium nanoparticles functionalized by mushroom polysaccharide-protein complex: A novel nano-mineral for managing postmenopausal osteoporosis” at the European Assembly of Advanced Materials Congress on 28 -31 August 2022.  The IAAM is a non-profit international organisation established to promote scientific research in the field of advanced materials. Researchers around the globe are united to share their insights and advancements in material science - to find solutions to critical problems through applying advanced materials.

Winning the First Prize in Greater Bay Area Sustainability Innovation Challenge 2022: Grand Rise Technology Limited

【Winning the First Prize in Greater Bay Area Sustainability Innovation Challenge 2022: Grand Rise Technology Limited】   The Grand Rise Technology Limited, a PolyU academic-led start-up, was co-founded in 2019 by Prof. Li Pei, Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology of PolyU, and Dr. Tenny Lam, a PolyU DBA graduate and an industrialist, had won the first prize of Greater Bay Area Sustainability Innovation Challenge (GBASIC) 2022.    Their invention of core-shell nanospheres using natural biomaterial as an antibacterial and antiviral coating, demonstrated a highly innovative way that can facilitate sustainable development and make an impact on society. Congratulations to Prof. Li Pei and Dr. Tenny Lam on their remarkable accomplishment! For details, please visit the website.   【首屆大灣區可持續發展創新挑戰賽團隊組一等獎: 佳昇科技有限公司】   「首屆大灣區可持續發展創新挑戰賽」的決賽成功在八月二十七至二十八日於香港理工大學深圳基地舉辦。本次大賽以「關注推動可持續發展的創新」為核心，聚焦新能源及節能環保、循環再造與資源高效利用、智慧城市、低碳交通、綠色建築、綠色金融、社區及社會環境發展等領域，倡導並推動可持續發展理念在大灣區的傳播和踐行。   本次的挑戰賽成功共吸引了10余所高校、近40個項目參賽，共有27支隊伍晉級決賽，其中團隊組18個、企業組9個。而李蓓教授的研究團隊 -「佳昇科技有限公司」的天然生物材料核 - 殼納米球聚護芯抗菌抗病毒塗料」在團隊組決賽脫穎而出，獲得了團隊組的一等獎。他們在挑戰賽中充分地展現了新技術可以為各領域可持續發展帶來的機遇。   我們衷心恭喜李蓓教授的研究團隊獲得首屆大灣區可持續發展創新挑戰賽一等獎。   請到以下網址瀏覽更多資訊。  

PolyU start-ups get listed in Forbes Asia 100 to Watch 2022

Grand Rise Technology, a start-up nurtured by PolyU and co-founded by Prof. Li Pei of PolyU’s Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology (ABCT) and Mr. Tenny Lam, a PolyU DBS student, has been selected to be the Forbes Asia 100 To Watch 2022 company, a list of small companies and startups across the Asia-Pacific region that are addressing real-world challenges with fresh thinking and innovative products and services. Grand Rise Technology has developed a biomaterial-based antimicrobial coating with the application of the proprietary nanotechnology. They produced the health and safety products derived from biodegradable materials including crustacean shells and thyme. The antimicrobial coating is applied to textiles like masks and wipes. It also makes an edible coating that can protect foods from germs and extend the shelf life of fruits. It can be a perfect solution for creating a safer and long-lasting antimicrobial coating. Our warmest congratulations again to Prof. Li and Mr. Lam for their remarkable achievement! For details, please visit https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesasiateam/2022/08/29/forbes-asia-100-to-watch-2022/?sh=7e6edb8fdf33

President's Awards for Outstanding Achievement in Knowledge Transfer

Congratulations to Prof. Pei LI on receiving the President’s Awards for Outstanding Achievement in Knowledge Transfer.   Prof. Pei LI was honored with the Individual Award in the Industry category for her research on the Nano-based Technology for Indelible Printing. Prof. Li’s research focuses on the Anti-Erasing (ATE) Ink for Anti-counterfeit of Consumer Products that can be applied to food packaging to help combat tampering and ensure food security.  Prof. Li’s finding has demonstrated high creativity and significance in human health. The results from her research work are being used on over 30 billion food and drink packages annually. Our warmest congratulations again to Prof. Li for her remarkable accomplishment!   YouTube Video: https://youtu.be/hJr1C2NhxeM

Faculty Awards for Outstanding Achievement 2022

Congratulations to Dr Terence LEE Kin-wah and Dr Amber CHIOU on receiving the Faculty Awards for Outstanding Achievement 2022. Dr Terence LEE was honored with the Individual Award in “Research and Scholarly Activities: Outstanding Researcher”; whist the interdisciplinary team formed by ITC colleagues and Dr Amber CHIOU has received the Team Award in “Knowledge Transfer: Industry” with their research project on the world’s first anti-virus 3D printing material.  The Faculty Award Presentation Ceremony will be held in June 2022. Our warmest congratulations again to Dr Lee and Dr Chiou for their remarkable accomplishment!

PolyU Young Innovative Researcher Award 2022

Dr Franco LEUNG King-chi and Dr Benedict LO Tsz-woon, Assistant Professors of ABCT, have received the PolyU Young Innovative Researcher Award (YIRA) 2022 with their research focus on “Photo responsive amphiphiles for supramolecular robotic system” and “Design of multinuclear solid atomic catalysts for energy and sustainability applications” respectively. The Young Innovative Researcher Award (YIRA) aims to honor young PolyU researchers under the age of 35 who have demonstrated novelty, contributed to technology advancement, and propelled transformational innovation into solutions for addressing problems in society with a vision for a positive change to the future. The YIRA assessment panel, composed of Prof. Jin-Guang Teng (P), Prof. Wing-tak Wong (DP), Dr Miranda Lou (EVP), Prof. Christopher Chao (VPRI) and Prof. Larry Chow (DoRI), has reviewed over 59 submissions across 22 departments and selected 6 YIRA awardees this year. Each YIRA awardee will receive research funding support of HK$500,000 and personal cash prize of HK$20,000 as the encouragement for their research novelty and impact.   Details of the Gala Ceremony of Young Innovative Researcher Award will be announced by the Research and Innovation Office later. Let us congratulate Dr Franco Leung and Dr Benedict Lo for their achievements!

Prof. WONG Kwok-yin and Prof. Thomas LEUNG were interviewed by the RTHK Programme to share their research in cancer drug

Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide and there is no true cure currently. Cancer treatment usually includes surgery, radiotherapy and systemic therapy (e.g. chemotherapy/ targeted therapy), but the options are often limited and may not always be effective. Thus, the discovery and development of a new cancer drug with better efficacy and safety is essential. The State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery (PolyU) strives to conduct world-class research in chemical biology, and develop new molecular techniques for cancer drug discovery.  Prof. WONG Kwok-yin and Prof. Thomas LEUNG were interviewed by the RTHK Programme to share their research in cancer drug. Please visit the link here to view RTHK’s TV Programme ‘IT New Era’.

ABCT Graduate receives the International Accreditation Top Project Award 2022 of RSB

【ABCT Graduate receives the International Accreditation Top Project Award 2022 of Royal Society of Biology】 We are most delighted to announce that Mr LI Shaoyang Alvin, graduated with a First Class Honours degree in BSc (Hons) in Applied Biology with Biotechnology in 2021, has received the International Accreditation Top Project Award 2022 of Royal Society of Biology in recognition of his outstanding final-year research project and abilities as a biologist. With the guidance and support from his research supervisor, Dr CHUA Song-Lin, Alvin has built up his strengths and set a solid foundation for his future advances in the bioscience field. His award-winning project entitled “Biofilm matrix cloaks bacterial quorum sensing chemoattractants from predator detection” elucidated the restriction of bacterial communication activities to the confinements of biofilms for predator evasion. This novel mechanism plays a fundamental role in shaping the dynamics of microbial communities and predator-prey interactions, with implications in microbial diseases and ecology. His research findings were published in the The ISME Journal: Multidisciplinary Journal of Microbial Ecology. The International Accreditation Top Project Award is an annual award conferred by The Royal Society of Biology (RSB). RSB is a prestigious professional association for biological sciences in the UK which support and advance the interests of biology in education, research and community. Our ABB Programme was the first international accredited undergraduate programme by RSB, and our graduates are qualified for membership of RSB. Each year, only a few selected graduates from the accredited degree of RSB is eligible to win the top project award. Let us take this opportunity to congratulate Alvin on his excellent achievement.

Dr Kevin Kwok Wing-hin was interviewed by the RTHK Programme to share his research insight

The problem of global food imbalance is imminent. Human food is mainly produced by animal husbandry and agricultural activities. There is one-third of the world's land is currently used for animal husbandry and farming. Animal husbandry not only produce carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases, which increasing the greenhouse effect. But also, the agriculture activities will damage the soil structure and quality, seriously damage the ecology of the earth. Dr Kevin Kwok Wing-hin, Associate Director of Research Institute for Future Food and Assistant Professor of the Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, introduced the development and trend of future food on RTHK radio programme “Climate Watcher”. Dr Kwok indicated that there are currently feasible methods of making future food, such as freezing method, mariculture and hydroponic cultivation. In addition, urbanites live a busy life and may lack nutrients such as calcium and iron in their daily diet. Therefore, Dr Kwok is studying on the research to add the nutrients into prototype foods which enables urbanites to absorb comprehensive nutrition in a single food. It is expected to develop organic and environmentally-friendly food in line with the goals of sustainable development. If you are interested, please visit the link for programme archive. https://polyu.me/3MIHJ67