CChem FRSC CSci
Professor
Room 358 Science Centre
(852) 3943 6375
(852) 2603 5057
Education
| 1990-1993 | D.Phil. in Chemistry Balliol College, University of Oxford |
| 1988-1990 | M.Phil. in Chemistry The Chinese University of Hong Kong |
| 1984-1988 | B.Sc. (Hons.) in Chemistry, First Class Chung Chi College, The Chinese University of Hong Kong |
Positions
| Since 2002 | Professor, Department of Chemistry, The Chinese University of Hong Kong |
| Since 2002 | Warden, Pentecostal Mission Hall Complex (High Block) Chung Chi College, The Chinese University of Hong Kong |
| 2019-2020 | Acting University Dean of Students, The Chinese University of Hong Kong |
| 2017-2021 | Pro-Vice-Chancellor/Vice-President, The Chinese University of Hong Kong |
| 2011-2017 | Associate Vice-President, The Chinese University of Hong Kong |
| 2009-2017 | University Dean of Students, The Chinese University of Hong Kong |
| 2004-2008 | Associate Dean (Student Affairs), Faculty of Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong |
| 2002-2005 | Part-Time Professor, Fuzhou University, China |
| 2001-2004 | Associate Director, Applied Chemistry with Management Studies Programme, The Chinese University of Hong Kong |
| 1997-2000 | Part-Time Lecturer, School of Pharmacy, The Chinese University of Hong Kong |
| 1994-2002 | Lecturer in Chemistry, The Chinese University of Hong Kong |
| 1993-1994 | Research Fellow in Chemistry, California Institute of Technology, USA |
Research Interests
| Our current research interests lie in the chemistry of various functional dyes, particularly phthalocyanines and boron dipyrromethene derivatives, focusing on their synthesis, supramolecular chemistry, bioconjugation, bioorthogonal chemistry and applications in photodynamic therapy, photothermal therapy, bioimaging, fluorescence sensing, logic devices and renewable energy production. The ongoing projects include: |
| A. | Design and preparation of multifunctional molecular and nano-photoresponsive agents for targeted phototherapies |
| B. | Use of supramolecular and bioorthogonal chemistry for advanced theranostic applications |
| C. | Development of efficient peptide and protein conjugation methods |
| D. | Development of molecular-based fluorescent sensors and logic devices |
| E. | Synthetic studies and applications of exotic aromatic and anti-aromatic macrocyclic compounds |
| F. | Exploration of phthalocyanine-based materials for CO2 fixation, water splitting and batteries |
Honours and Awards
| 2022-2024 | World’s Top 2% Most Highly Cited Scientists Named by Stanford University |
| 2022 | Science Faculty Research Excellence Award |
| 2000, 2009, 2013, 2020 | Faculty Exemplary Teaching Award, The Chinese University of Hong Kong |
| 2009 | The Vice-Chancellor’s Exemplary Teaching Award, The Chinese University of Hong Kong |
| 2005 | Young Researcher Award, The Chinese University of Hong Kong |
| 1990-1993 | Croucher Foundation Scholarship |
| 1988-1990 | Croucher Foundation Studentship |
Professional Qualifications
| Nov. 2004 | Chartered Scientist (CSci), Science Council, UK |
| Jul. 2000 | Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (FRSC) |
| Mar. 1993 | Chartered Chemist, Member of the Royal Society of Chemistry (CChem MRSC) |
Teaching Experience
| A. | Undergraduate Teaching Subjects: Transition Metal Chemistry, Fundamentals of Spectroscopic Analysis |
| B. | Postgraduate Being the supervisor of 40 Ph.D. students (32 of them have completed their study) and 15 M.Phil. students (all of them have graduated) |
| Group Members (Past & Present) | |
Publications
| Full List of Publications | |
| Total Number of Publications = 272 | |
| Number of Citations = 11,619 | |
| H-index = 63 | |
| (taken from Scopus as of May 3, 2025) |
External Research Grants (As Principal Investigator for the last 5 years)
| 1. | Project: Tumor-Selective Activatable Polydopamine-Based Nanophotosensitizers for Targeted Photodynamic Therapy (Ref. No. CUHK14306320) Grant: RGC General Research Fund 2020-21 (HK$ 441,074) Period: Sep. 1, 2020 – Aug. 31, 2023 |
| 2. | Project: Dual Receptor-Mediated Endocytosis of Bioorthogonal Components for Site-Specific Activation of Photodynamic Therapy (Ref. No. CUHK14307321) Grant: RGC General Research Fund 2021-22 (HK$ 806,375) Period: Sep. 1, 2021 – Aug. 31, 2024 |
| 3. | Project: Development of Novel Cell Penetrating Peptide-Conjugated Drugs for Treatment of Ocular Uveitis (Ref. No. PRP/015/21FX) Grant: ITF Partnership Research Programme (HK$ 1,715,800) Period: Feb. 1, 2022 – Jul. 31, 2024 |
| 4. | Project: Development of All-In-One Oligonucleotide-Based Therapeutics for Combined Photodynamic, Antisense and Chemo-Therapies (Ref. No. CUHK14300022) Grant: RGC General Research Fund 2022-23 (HK$ 870,000) Period: Jan. 1, 2023 – Dec. 31, 2025 |
| 5. | Project: Development of Renal-Clearable Cyclodextrin-Conjugated Photosensitizers for Precise Photodynamic Therapy Causing Reduced Photosensitivity (Ref. No. CUHK14307924) Grant: RGC General Research Fund 2024-25 (HK$ 792,173) Period: Jan. 1, 2025 – Dec. 31, 2027 |
| 6. | Project: Advancing Photodynamic Therapy against Cancer through Bioorthogonal and Supramolecular Approaches (Ref. No. C4057-24GF) Grant: RGC Collaborative Research Fund 2024-25 (HK$ 6,185,284) Period: Jun. 1, 2025 – May 31, 2028 |
Editorial Work
| Editorial Board Member, ChemPlusChem | |
| Editorial Board Member, Colorants | |
| Editorial Board Member, Associate Section Editor-in-Chief for Section “Biology and Medicine”, Nanomaterials | |
| Guest Editor for the “Special Collection on Photodynamic Therapy” in ChemPlusChem |