Vice President (Research and Innovation)

Prof. Christopher Chao is Vice President (Research and Innovation) and Chair Professor of Thermal and Environmental Engineering of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU). He is responsible for the planning and 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.

Prof. Chao received his BSc(Eng) degree in Mechanical Engineering (First Class) from The University of Hong Kong (HKU) in 1988. He was awarded the prestigious Sir Edward Youde Memorial Fellowship for Overseas Studies in 1990 and obtained his MS and PhD degrees in Mechanical Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley, USA, in 1992 and 1994, respectively.

Prof. Chao started his academic career as an Assistant Professor at PolyU from 1995 to 1997. He then joined The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) in 1997, moving through the ranks of Assistant Professor to Chair Professor in 2015. He was Dean of Faculty of Engineering and Chair Professor of Mechanical Engineering at HKU as from 2018 and prior to joining PolyU in September 2021.

As an accomplished scholar in thermal and environmental engineering, Prof. Chao has published extensively in leading journals and has been serving as regional editor and member of the editorial board of several international journals in his field, including Energy and Buildings, Indoor Air, Building and Environment, etc. Prof. Chao has an excellent track record in securing external research grants from both the Government and the Industry, and is also active in entrepreneurship and technology transfer.

Prof. Chao has been making unwavering contributions to the professional community and the HKSAR Government. He is Fellow of several major professional organisations, including the Hong Kong Academy of Engineering Sciences. He is currently a member of the Research Strategy Expert Group of the Chief Executive's Policy Unit, Assessment Panel of the Public Policy Research Funding Scheme (PPRFS) and Strategic Public Policy Research Funding Scheme (SPPRFS), Engineering Panel of the Hong Kong Research Grants Council, Tripartite Taskforce on Manpower Training (Aviation) of the Transport and Logistics Bureau, Gas Safety Advisory Committee of the Hong Kong Environment and Ecology Bureau, Director of the Asia Advisory Board of the Global Infrastructure Solution Inc., Board of Directors of the Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute, Board of Directors of the Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited, Board of Directors of The Joseph Needham Foundation for Science & Civilisation (Hong Kong), Council of the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers, Council of the Hong Kong Academy of Engineering Sciences, and Vice Chairman of the Hong Kong Alliance of Technology and Innovation.