The research reputation of the School is built upon the strengths of its faculty members, who are renowned experts in multiple fields of science.
Our Faculty has propelled the School to the forefront of innovative science and established internationally recognized research institutes and centers here at HKUST.
They have an excellent track record of securing external funding, most notably the General Research Fund, Collaborative Research Fund, Area of Excellence Scheme, and Theme-based Research Scheme Program of the Research Grants Council as well as the Innovation and Technology Fund.
Individual faculty members have received awards and honors for their research achievements and have been appointed as editors and members of editorial boards. Their research is continually published in top-tier scientific journals.
Neuroscience
Our neuroscience study combines biochemistry, molecular biology, pharmacology, physiology, human genetics, “omics” studies, and stem cell biology to advance understanding of brain functions in health and disease.
MAJOR RESEARCH PROJECTS
Unravelling Mechanisms of Synaptic Plasticity in Health and Neurodegenerative Diseases
Nancy Yuk-Yu IP
| Life Science
Identifying Biomarkers of Alzheimer’s Disease for the Development of Targeted Therapy
Nancy Yuk-Yu IP
| Life Science
Axonal Regeneration and Rewiring in Adult Central Nervous System
Kai LIU
| Life Science
Stem Cell Research
Stem cells have the unique ability to self-renew and differentiate. They are generally classified into two main types, namely pluripotent stem cells (embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells or iPSCs) and tissue stem cells.
MAJOR RESEARCH PROJECTS
Stem Cell-niche Interactions in Tissue Maintenance and Engineering
Ting XIE
| Life Science
A Stem Cell Approach to Dissect the Molecular Basis of Neurodegenerative Diseases
Nancy Yuk-Yu IP
| Life Science
Molecular Regulation of Quiescence and Early Activation in Muscle Stem Cells
Zhenguo WU
| Life Science
Materials Chemistry
The Department of Chemistry has strengths in the area of synthesis and characterization of new optical materials and their applications.
MAJOR RESEARCH PROJECTS
Design and Fabrication of Efficient Organic Solar Cells
Henry He YAN
| Chemistry
Metal Halide Nanocrystals for Energy Storage and Optical Emission
Jonathan Eugene HALPERT
| Chemistry
Environmental Chemistry
Environmental chemistry research involves the study of chemical composition, reactions, and effects of substances in the environment, regardless of their origins being natural or anthropogenic origins.
MAJOR RESEARCH PROJECTS
Characterizing Organosulfate Compounds in Atmospheric Aerosols
Jianzhen YU
| Chemistry
Drug Synthesis and Development
Our research on drug synthesis and development aims to develop new and efficient synthetic strategies for chemical synthesis of bioactive natural products, investigate their biological activities, and elucidate their mode of action and cellular targets.
MAJOR RESEARCH PROJECTS
Total Synthesis of Potent Antibiotic Anthracimycins
Rongbiao TONG
| Chemistry
Scientific Computing and Data Science
Scientific computing and data science are two prevailing research areas strongly advocated and focused for development in the Department of Mathematics.
MAJOR RESEARCH PROJECTS
Energy and Dynamics of Grain Boundaries Based on the Underlying Microstructures
Yang XIANG
| Mathematics
Geometric Landscape Analysis of Some Non-Convex Optimizations
Jianfeng CAI
| Mathematics
Decentralized Finance
Kani CHEN
| Mathematic
Wave Functional Materials
Metamaterials and photonic crystals are designed structures with properties and material parameters that go beyond those given by natural or composite materials.
MAJOR RESEARCH PROJECTS
Novel Wave Functional Materials for Manipulating Light and Sound
Che Ting CHAN
| Physics
Non-Hermitian Systems in Optics and Acoustics
Jensen Tsan Hang LI
| Physics
Quantum Science
Quantum science studies how the laws of quantum mechanics could lead to novel phenomena in natural and artificial materials and impact the transmission, encryption, and processing of information.
MAJOR RESEARCH PROJECTS
Quantum Matter and Microscopy
Berthold JÄCK
| Physics
New Phases of Quantum Matter in Engineered Atomic Systems
Gyu Boong JO
| Physics
Quantum Sensing of Phenomena under Extreme Conditions
Sen YANG
| Physics
Ocean Science and Technology
The Department of Ocean Science emphasizes on building multi- and cross-disciplinary research programs in Ocean Science and Technology.
MAJOR RESEARCH PROJECTS
Unlock Biogeographical Secrets and Population Connectivity of Deep-sea Animals
Peiyuan QIAN
| Ocean Science
Diurnal Infection Rhythm of Cyanophages and Its Implication on Marine Carbon Cycle
Qinglu ZENG
| Ocean Science
Constructing and Decoding the Molecular Fingerprint Database of Organic Carbon
Ding HE
| Ocean Science
Internal Waves as a Driver of Cryptic Diversity in Reef Corals under Threat
Alex WYATT
| Ocean Science