WANG Hanjie

After the Wenchuan earthquake in 2008, the RS Department of PolyU collaborated with Sichuan University to train undergraduate students to specialise in rehabilitation. I benefited from this programme and obtained my BSc in Rehabilitation (Occupational Therapy) in 2012. I started my master’s study at PolyU after working for two years in a public hospital in Chengdu, China. Considering the well-designed programme and the supportive environment, I chose to come back to PolyU to pursue a PhD degree. 

My research explores the age-related decline in hippocampus-dependent visual-spatial learning and scene memory. By discussing and comparing the changes in normal aging with populations suffering from mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or people with chronic inflammation, I hope my research could help to understand more the role of the hippocampus and the potential of using visual-spatial learning and scene memory for the early detection of MCI and dementia.