CUHK Research: Changing the world

2023 marks the 60th anniversary of The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK). Over the past six decades, our planet has witnessed drastic changes – globalisation, the information revolution, the proliferation of smart technologies, the disruptive pandemic, and the imminent climate crisis, to name but a few. From our origins as a humble institution with a unique approach to collegiate education, to our transition as a comprehensive and research- intensive university, CUHK’s story is woven in the fabric of social progress. It gives me great pleasure to present to you this publication, CUHK Research: Changing theworld , which showcases how successive generations of CUHK’s brilliant scholars have contributed to a thriving ecosystem of research and innovation, and how the University has embraced challenges as an integral part of its journey to becoming a world- class institution committed to research of critical importance in the 21st century. Our latest strategic plan, CUHK 2025 , articulates our four strategic research areas, namely (1) China: Tradition and Modernity; (2) Innovative Biomedicine; (3) Information and Automation Technology and (4) Environment a nd Su s t a i n a b i l i t y. Th e s e a r e a s a r e characterised by their interdisciplinary and translational nature, as well as their strong resonance with some of the world’s most pressing challenges. CUHK capitalises on our strength as a talent engine to champion revolutionary research and innovation to deliver tangible benefits to society. We advocate research, innovation and enterprise as a continuum to translate outcomes of our pursuit of knowledge into practical technologies and products. We are committed to playing a leading role to promote Hong Kong’s development as an international innovation and technology hub, as well as harnessing the fruits of our academic enterprise as a beacon to build collaborations. CUHK has been blessed by the confidence of major stakeholders across our city and around the country, as well as a strong network of global collaborators. Today we are the host of six InnoHK Centres under Hong Kong’s flagship scheme to incubate research; we are proudly home to five State Key Laboratories; and we have a rapidly growing network of satellites and research institutes in the dynamic Guangdong–Hong Kong– Macao Greater Bay Area. CUHK Research: Changing the world showcases the inspiring stories of some of CUHK’s best and brightest faculty members, as well as our rising stars who are blazing a new trail in their fields, making discoveries and innovations in healthcare, promoting the understanding of China and advancing sustainable development. I hope you will enjoy learning about their ground-breaking discoveries and how CUHK’s research endeavours are contributing to some of the greatest challenges of our time, as well as using its great tradition of scholarship to bridge China and the world. Professor Rocky S. Tuan Vice-Chancellor and President Foreword by theVice-Chancellor and President 3