Our staff recently received 6 research grants with a total amount of around HK$45.5 million.

• The School received the “Platinum Award” and the “Awareness and Engagement Award” in the Green Office Programme (‘GO!’) 2023. 
• Our School Director, Prof. Wai Tong CHIEN, was honoured with two prestigious titles — not only was he named Outstanding Fellow of the CUHK Faculty of Medicine, but he was also the only candidate who was awarded Honorary Fellow of the Hong Kong Academy of Nursing & Midwifery this year.
• Prof. Chien was also ranked among the world’s top 2% scientists of the year 2023 by Stanford University, alongside Prof. Carmen CHAN, Prof. Sek Ying CHAIR, Prof. Helen CHAN, Prof. Ying LAU, Prof. Regina LI, Prof. William LI, Prof. Winnie SO, Prof. Ka Ming CHOW and Prof. Jojo WONG. 
• Ms. Angel MA Cho Kan, Doctor of Nursing Year 4 student, earned the 2024 Hospital Authority (HA) Outstanding Staff Award (view awardee video [Chinese only]). She also secured funding support from The Hong Kong Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (HKASLD) Future Leaders Incubator Scheme.

The Centre’s ongoing research project investigating genetic variants in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has reached a significant milestone, completing a comprehensive genetic analysis of 26 blood samples from 22 families. The samples were mapped using an optical mapping technique and alignment algorithms, allowing for the identification of genetic structural variations (SVs). The manuscript is under preparation, and the dissemination of our findings will be sought as a journal publication in due course.

In line with our study on genetic variants in ASD children, the Centre recently published a systematic review in the journal Genes, investigating the significance of ASD-related genetic SVs among Chinese populations, including Han Chinese and diverse ethnic groups. Analysing nine case-control studies, the review identified various genetic factors that play a crucial role in the aetiology of ASD. This highlights the importance of understanding genetic risk profiles for tailoring preventative strategies and therapeutic approaches, ultimately improving health and social integration for individuals with ASD.

The brain function project, in collaboration with Dr. Manson FONG from Hong Kong Polytechnic University, is analysing data from the Human Connectome Project, involving 1,838 adults aged 20 to 100. Employing convolutional neural networks (CNNs) to improve brain age prediction, the team found that a dual-channel CNN utilising both T1- and T2-weighted images yields better accuracy compared to single-channel methods. Meanwhile, the team is collecting saliva samples from participants to examine the potential impact of age-related genetic variations on the brain structures. 

This year’s MNurs networking event for awardees of Targeted Taught Postgraduate Programmes Fellowships (TPgFS) was overwhelmingly inspiring! Four past awardees met with 31 awardees from our first-year intake to share their study experiences, career stories, and how the fellowship supported their professional growth.

This year’s Pass-it-on Ceremony not only celebrates a decade since its inception in 2014, but it was also Prof. Philip CHIU’s first time attending as Dean of Medicine. Witnessed by guests and families, our BNurs and MNSP first-year students pledged to uphold Florence Nightingale’s spirit of dedication and serve patients with the highest standard of professionalism.