 | Dr Kei Yuen CHANAssistant Professor of Department of Mathematics Research interests: Representation Theory, number Theory, Langlands Programme “I am very happy to return to my alma mater after a decade of studying and working overseas. The Depar tment of Mathematics remains as energetic and creative as ever. My research lies in Representation Theory, which is a beautiful subject studying the symmetry in the universe. The idea is very simple: if one knows half, then one knows the other half, but it is powerful when facing complicated systems. The major theme I am working on is the Langlands programme, a vast subject investigating how hidden symmetry appears in numbers. I look forward to the fantastic environment at HKU bringing new insights to my research.” |
Dr Aspen Xiao-yang CHENAssistant Professor of Department of Chemistry Research Interests: Supramolecular Chemistry, Synthetic Organic Chemistry, Catalysis “Fifteen years ago, as a high school student, I travelled to Hong Kong by myself just to visit HKU. Today, I am thrilled and grateful to have the opportunity to start my independent career at my dream school. My research lies at the intersection of supramolecular and synthetic organic chemistry. By leveraging existing structures and chemical processes in nature, our group seeks to design novel molecular and supramolecular tools for tackling important challenges in molecular recognition and catalysis. In my spare time, I enjoy swimming, reading and spending time with my family and friends.” |  |
 | Dr Ibis Kit Chong CHENGLecturer of the School of Biological Sciences Teaching areas: Biochemistry, Molecular Genetics, Chemistry,Nutrition and Metabolism, Nutrigenomics, Research “After completing my PhD study on Hepatocellular Carcinoma, I started my teaching journey with the aim of developing students' interest and initiatives in learning and fostering their appreciation for biological networks. Prior to joining HKU, I worked as a Lecturer at Lingnan University and HKU SPACE, where I taught courses on generic science, sport nutrition, biochemistry, and research methodology. Currently, I am involved in teaching courses related to food and nutrition. During my leisure time, I love making desserts and doing handicrafts.” |
Dr Jan Marius HOFERTAssociate Professor of Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science Research interests: Copula Modelling, Computational Statistics, Data Science and Quantitative Risk Management “After holding positions at ETH Zurich, the Technical University of Munich, University of Washington, and University of Waterloo, I have recently joined HKU with the goal of further expanding my research horizons. I am particularly excited about developing neural networks for copula modelling purposes, which we have recently pioneered. My aim is to provide holistic solutions to problems, including theory, algorithms, and their implementation in freely available software. I also contribute to the education of actuaries and risk managers by offering courses, books, teaching materials, and software.” |  |
 | Dr Liangqiong QUAssistant Professor of Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science Research interests: AI in Healthcare, Medical Image Processing, Illumination Modelling, Deep Learning “I'm excited to introduce myself as a researcher in the field of artificial intelligence, computer vision, and medical imaging processing. My research interests are primarily focused on deep learning-driven image acquisition and reconstruction, as well as developing trustworthy medical AI systems from imperfect medical data. I'm passionate about advancing the use of artificial intelligence in medical settings to improve patient outcomes and enhance the quality of care. I'm looking forward to working with all of you in the future.” |
Dr Wenyuan LIAssistant Professor of Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science Research interests: Actuarial Science; Insurance Economics; Mathematical Finance “My research revolves around applying the stochastic control approach to examine the optimal trading and insurance strategies for individuals. To draw an analogy, just as a physicist studies the motion of natural forces such as wind, rain, and sea flow, my focus as an actuary is on analysing the market's movements and how changes in economic variables, such as interest rates, inflation rates, and exchange rates, interact and affect individuals' insurance demands. Going forward, I plan to employ deep learning algorithms to investigate the most effective trading and insurance strategies. It would be wonderful to connect with like-minded individuals, share common interests, and explore new ideas.” |  |
 | Dr Daphne Mei Yi WULecturer of the School of Biological Sciences Teaching areas: Nutrition and Food Science “I have been teaching in higher education for 10 years in the areas of food science and nutrition. I worked in private and public hospitals as a dietitian in Hong Kong and in the UK for years before pursuing my PhD in the UK. I am particularly interested in the areas of sports nutrition, macronutrients metabolism and weight management. My teaching philosophy is ‘Be a life-long learner’. During my leisure time, I like to enjoy the universal language of music.” |
Professor Dong LIChair Professor of Department of Mathematics Research interests: Analysis and partial differential equations, Applied Maths
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