City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) held the “CityUHK Outstanding Research Awards 2024” presentation ceremony on 2 June to honour five outstanding scholars for their exceptional achievements in the fields of Public and International Affairs, Materials Science and Engineering, Biomedical Sciences, Biomedical Engineering, and Law.

The awards are divided into two categories: the CityUHK Outstanding Research Awards and the CityUHK Outstanding Research Awards for Junior Faculty. This year’s CityUHK Outstanding Research Awards recipients are Professor Johnny Ho Chung-yin, Associate Vice-President (Enterprise) and Department of Materials Science and Engineering; Professor Huang Yu, Head of the Department of Biomedical Sciences; and Professor Edmund Cheng, Director of the Centre for Public Affairs and Law and Department of Public and International Affairs.

The CityUHK Outstanding Research Awards for Junior Faculty recipients are Professor Pakpong Chirarattananon, Department of Biomedical Engineering; and Professor Lauren Lin Yu-Hsin, School of Law.

In his speech, Professor Freddy Boey, President and University Distinguished Professor of CityUHK, emphasised the profound societal impact of research. He highlighted that in addition to its profound impact on society, research serves as a powerful source of inspiration for young people. He added that his young people are motivated by the way research transforms the world, and in turn, are driven to contribute meaningfully to society. This, he stated, is where the true transformative power of research lies. 

“A university is not just a place for teaching. It is a place for inspiration. And when young people are inspired, they are capable of achieving truly great things,” he stressed.

Professor Anderson Shum Ho-cheung, Vice-President (Research), highlighted the strong international orientation of CityUHK’s research. He noted that many of the award-winning scholars collaborate with top-tier institutions around the world, which he sees as a key factor contributing to the University’s research excellence. 

In addition, CityUHK scholars are known for their spirit of innovation. Professor Shum added that they are committed to academic research and output, while actively establishing start-ups and collaborating with a wide range of industry partners, believing these efforts ensure that research impact extends beyond academia and into broader society.

This year’s three recipients of the CityUHK Outstanding Research Awards come from Public and International Affairs, Materials Science and Engineering, and Biomedical Sciences, reflecting CityUHK’s research excellence across the disciplines of social sciences, engineering and biomedical science.

Professor Ho’s research spans a wide array of disciplines, including chemistry, physics, materials science and various branches of engineering. He is dedicated to investigating innovative nanomaterials and pioneering nanoengineering techniques for technological applications, such as post-Moore electronics, neuromorphic optoelectronic systems, and intelligent energy management. 

Professor Huang's main research area is vascular biology, focusing on the cellular and molecular biological processes of endothelial cell dysfunction caused by diseases such as hypertension, obesity, diabetes and atherosclerosis. His goal is to discover new biological markers for vascular disease mechanisms.

Professor Cheng’s interdisciplinary research integrates computational methods, surveys and experiments to track public sentiment, with the aim of addressing some of our era's most pressing challenges—social polarisation, digital governance, crisis management, and the sociology of knowledge production.

This year, the CityUHK Outstanding Research Awards for Junior Faculty were presented to professors from the Department of Biomedical Engineering and the School of Law, with the aim of encouraging young scholars to continue to strive for academic and research excellence.

Professor Chirarattananon’s research explores how lessons from nature can help build more capable and efficient miniature flying robots. His team has pioneered new types of aerial robots, including the first drone that can both fly and hop continuously over obstacles, expanding how robots can move and interact with real-world environments. 

Professor Lin is a leading scholar in corporate law and governance, whose empirical research offers critical insights into how regulations and governance practices influence corporate behaviour. Her work encompasses key internal and external governance mechanisms, including independent directors, shareholder voting, controlling shareholders, shareholder activists and securities litigation. 

Each winner will receive a trophy, a cash award of HK$15,000 and a research grant of HK$150,000.

The Selection Panel identifies outstanding researchers whose work has had a significant impact on industrial, economic or social development in Hong Kong and beyond. The CityUHK Outstanding Research Awards aim to recognise and reward research excellence at the University and to emphasise the University’s commitment to creating an environment conducive to high-quality research at an internationally competitive level, and to enhance the University’s performance in delivering its research agenda.

Media enquiries: 
Media enquiries: Him Chak, Communications and Institutional Research Office, CityUHK (Tel: 3442 6807)