CUHK advances global research impact and innovation
Professor Dennis Lo Yuk-ming, CUHK’s Vice-Chancellor and President, was awarded the 2026 AACR–Irving Weinstein Foundation Distinguished Lectureship by the American Association for Cancer Research. A pioneer in liquid biopsy research, his work has reshaped non-invasive diagnostics, enabling earlier detection and monitoring of cancer and pregnancy-related conditions.
Professor Jiang Liwen, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (External Affairs), received two honours from the American Society of Plant Biologists (ASPB): nomination for the Enid MacRobbie Corresponding Membership Award and election as Fellow of ASPB. His research on plant cell and organelle biology has advanced the understanding of intracellular processes, with implications for crop resilience and biotechnological innovation.
Professor Nina Lam Siu-ngan was awarded the 2026 American Association of Geographers Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of her contributions to geographic information science, remote sensing, and disaster resilience. Her Resilience Inference Measurement (RIM) model has been widely applied to assess community resilience and inform disaster risk management strategies globally.
CUHK hosts 2026 APAIE Conference & Exhibition Elevating the “Study in Hong Kong” brand globally
CUHK hosted the 2026 Asia-Pacific Association for International Education (APAIE) Annual Conference and Exhibition in February, bringing a major global higher education event to Hong Kong. This landmark event drew over 3,000 international education leaders and scholars from more than 70 countries and regions, setting a new record. More than 450 universities and institutions participated in the exhibition, alongside nearly 130 meetings and seminars that explored the latest trends in higher education. The event fostered vibrant cross-border collaboration and talent exchange. Beyond its scale, the event showcased the excellence of Hong Kong’s higher education and powerfully promoted the “Study in Hong Kong” brand on the global stage, reinforcing the city’s role as an international hub for education and research.
CUHK innovators triumph at global invention fairs
CUHK researchers and startups achieved outstanding success at two major international invention competitions this year, securing a total of 28 awards across disciplines. At the 51st International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva, CUHK won 18 awards with 17 innovative projects, including four Gold Medals with Congratulations of the Jury. Among the highlights was the project “A Novel Synbiotic Formula (SLD07) for Liver Health” led by Professor Ng Siew-chien and Professor Francis Chan Ka-leung, which captured the Saudi Innovation Excellence Prize – Ministry of Health and a Gold Medal. The formula has shown significant potential in preclinical models and pilot clinical studies in reducing liver fat and stiffness, improving metabolic parameters, and maintaining good safety.
Meanwhile, CUHK teams also excelled at the 16th International Invention Fair in the Middle East (IIFME) in Kuwait, winning 10 accolades with four projects. The project “Magnetic micro-/nano-robot for endovascular treatment”, developed by Professor Zhang Li and Professor Philip Chiu Wai-yan, won the IIFME Grand Prize, Prize of International Federation of Inventors’ Associations (IFIA), FIRI award, and a Gold Medal with Congratulations of Jury, breaking new ground in surgical innovation. These achievements showcase CUHK’s multidisciplinary strength, its thriving startup ecosystem, and its leading role in driving technological advancement and translating research into real-world impact.
