Profiles of HTI recipients

Professor Yip, currently in the third term of his Headship of PolyU’s Department of Health Technology and Informatics (HTI), has served as the Chairperson of the Grant Review Board of the Health and Medical Research Fund since 2013 and a Member of the Research Council, Food and Health Bureau since 2019.

After working in United Christian Hospital for ten years, he joined the then Hong Kong Polytechnic as a lecturer in 1990. As an educator, he coordinated the efforts and successfully convinced the government to support a UGC-funded full-time BSc (Hons) programme in Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) in 2004. Prof. Yip also negotiated with teaching hospitals in Taiwan and Australia for additional clinical placements for PolyU’s MLS graduates, while championing the inclusion of molecular diagnostics in both the BSc and MSc curricula.

Under his leadership, HTI has started offering specialisms in its MSc programme since 2017 and launched the MSc programme in Medical Physics – the first of its kind in Hong Kong and nearby regions. His keen interest in research has helped scholars of the department acquire external grants and boosted research output. To further improve the research performance of the Department, he successfully convinced the University to establish three chair professor positions in the department.

Dr Wong founded Hong Kong Molecular Pathology Diagnostic Centre (HKMPDC) in 2013 and is currently its Laboratory Director. He is concurrently the Deputy General Manager of Hybribio, a molecular diagnostic laboratory chain in China with labs in over 30 major cities.

Under his visionary leadership, HKMPDC became the first HOKLAS ISO 15189:2012 accredited laboratory for molecular oncology testing in Hong Kong. Thanks to his profound knowledge and experience, Dr Wong serves on the expert panel for cancer drug development and clinical application, striving to exert positive impact on cancer patient care.

In 2019, HKMPDC became one of the first government-designated laboratories for COVID-19 nucleic acid tests. By introducing a concept of mobile collection vehicles, Dr Wong greatly increased the accessibility of testing services. Amid global shortage of COVID-19 testing kits, Dr Wong generously donated Hybribio’s diagnostic kits to the general public and medical institutions.

As a dedicated scientist, Dr Wong is passionate about nurturing young talents. He introduced the ASCP International Certification programme - The Molecular Biology certification MB (ASCPi) to Hong Kong, a lab worker credential recognised by the Hospital Authority.

As a keen supporter of his alma mater, Dr Wong has contributed to the signing of strategic partnership between Hybribio and PolyU for synergy between the industry and the academia.

Dr Siu, Associate Professor of Department of Health Technology and Informatics at PolyU, earned his BSc degree in biomedical science with first-class honours at PolyU. In 2011, he was conferred with a PhD in Microbiology by The University of Hong Kong.

For over 15 years, Dr Siu has been actively engaged in researches related to microbial genomics, greatly increasing the accuracy and efficiency in diagnosis of infectious diseases, such as COVID-19. Amid the pandemic, his rapid sequencing technique played a pivotal role in identifying and cutting transmission chains in Hong Kong. For this reason, he received the Outstanding Project Team on COVID-19 Research Award from the Food and Health Bureau.

His contributions in genetic mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance, virulence in highly infectious pathogens, and molecular epidemiology of newly emerging pathogens have also helped the development of effective medical interventions. Having published over 45 peer-reviewed research papers in high-impact academic journals, such as Lancet Respiratory Medicine and Clinical Chemistry, Dr Siu has been granted more than HK$40 million of external research funds over the past five years. For two years in a row, he was honoured by PolyU with a faculty research and teaching award (individual) in recognition of his excellence in those areas.

Mr Cheung, currently Medical Physicist and Radiation Advisor of Hong Kong Baptist Hospital,  is a board-certified medical physicist and registered diagnostic radiographer. With over 14 years of experience in radiological science, he has made noticeable contributions in advancing external beam radiotherapy treatment and MR image-guided gynaecological brachytherapy in the industry.

Appointed as Visiting lecturer by the Department of Health Technology and Informatics of PolyU since 2016, Mr Cheung has forged close ties with his alma mater. His dedication and commitment to sharing his knowledge and experience have been an inspiration to his students. His concerns for young professionals prompted his ardent support to the mentorship scheme under the MSc in Medical Physics, serving as a Clinical Supervisor.

Mr Cheung has also been appointed a Member of the Community Sport Committee by the Home Affairs Bureau, playing a role in shaping government strategies and initiatives to promote sports participation in the community.