Student Sharing

"The MSc in Environmental Management encompasses a broad range of topics thereby affording an excellent grounding in the environmental field. For this reason, as well as the University of Hong Kong’s reputation for excellence, I selected this master’s degree.

Completing this course has been challenging but, thanks to the challenge as well as the high level of tuition, immensely rewarding. With the knowledge and skills I have acquired and connections I have made I have the confidence to embark on a new chapter in my career incorporating the principles of sustainability into my work and engaging with experts in the fields I have been introduced to."

'HKU Science provides a wide range of undergraduate research opportunities. As a student enthusiastic about pursuing academic research, I benefitted significantly from participating the Summer Research Fellowship programme (SRF).

Last summer, Professor Quentin Parker from the Department of Physics offered me a place in the Laboratory for Space Research in Cyberport, where I spent two months working on a topic related to observational Astronomy – so called Planetary Nebula. Specifically, my project involved accessing data from extensive astronomical databases including the globally leading HASH database set-up by Professor Parker’s group.

Exposure to these research experiences greatly enhanced my problem-solving skills and my theoretical knowledge. Unlike striving for academic excellence in various courses during term-time, conducting actual research requires the ability to integrate multi-disciplinary knowledge such as programming, and to tackle real-life science problems.

As a student who had just finished the first-year study, my relevant knowledge was initially insufficient for conducting research or even understanding the content of background research papers, which was quite frustrating indeed. But after shifting my mindset, I started to devote more efforts by reading some extra reference papers and by “googling” every confusing phrase in the background papers. Perhaps that is the beauty of an early research experience, it encourages students to explore their interests and learn actively out of classrooms. 

I also learnt the importance of upholding academic integrity and manual checking on published data. We should be honest to admit the insignificance from the given data, which helps subsequent researchers to rule out same idea and direct them to draw the right conclusions. I also learnt to judge what is significant to be published as from my project.

All in all, this SRF provided me with a treasurable experience and an early taste of conducting scientific research. It definitely strengthened my determination to pursue academic research in my later studies as well as reinvigorating my curiosity in Physics – the study from the fundamental building blocks of the universe, to the gigantic stars and galaxies we see upon the sky.'

• Major in Geology; minor in Geotechnical Engineering
• Participant of regional field study entitled “Deconstructing the anatomy of the arc-continent collision system in Taiwan”

"Despite having frequently heard about hot springs and earthquakes in Taiwan from the media, this was the first time I was able to closely investigate the story behind them. As Taiwan lies in a special location — along the boundaries of two active plates, many unique rock features which are absent in Hong Kong can be found there. This experience was exciting, especially when we had the chance to look closely at a representing rock feature that I had only read about it in books yet had never seen before. This field trip has undeniably given me a valuable opportunity to integrate what I have learnt in lectures, enhancing my understanding of different geological processes. It also allowed me to learn through interactions with nature, to feel the genuine power and the beauty of our dynamic planet Earth, and provided me with knowledge beyond books."

'Earth Sciences at HKU cover a wide range of research aspects related to our planet and beyond, any themes from ancient Earth to planetary exploration to tectonic events to atmospheric processes, and we have access to a large array of experimental and computational infrastructures.

For my research, I work with my supervisor Dr Kono Lemke in looking at the solvation of geochemically-relevant species under volcanic and atmospheric conditions. Previously, we studied the solvation of ozone, which as we all know, is one of the most important molecules in the Earth’s atmosphere. Using state-of-the-art computational methods, Dr Lemke and I established that the ozone molecules can form stable complexes with water at low temperatures. We have also found that a previously theorized ring structure of ozone can co-exist with water, and this could guide future experimental endeavors. These findings have been published in the Journal of Chemical Physics.

My research experience at HKU has been smooth due to support from Dr Lemke. Graduate research students here are always encouraged to raise questions and discuss with supervisors. My supervisor and I often discuss exciting topics in science and other aspects, new exciting research ideas often come out from these conversations.

The 24/7 round the clock high performance computing facilities by IT service department here forms the backbone of my theoretical-based research. The support team is always helpful and responsive to help resolve any IT-related issues within my research.

HKU supports students doing graduate scientific research with an abundance of resources, you will be encouraged to carry out cutting-edge research, which would equip you with important problem solving and critical thinking skills; it would be an eye-opening experience for ones with the right minds and endurance.'

'Studying at HKU Science is a unique experience. The dynamic and welcoming vibe has been of tremendous help with my research in Molecular and Cell Biology at the School of Biological Sciences. I am always aspired to make breakthroughs in cutting edge science ever since I entered HKU, and I was privileged to be exposed to the state-of-the-art technology on a variety of principles.

The fascinating journey that I embarked on here at HKU Science has really broadened my horizons and given me insight into the real world of science. The Faculty stresses on the wellbeing and overall development of its fellow students and is making every effort to help them thrive and fulfil their ambitions.

For example, the Faculty has commenced a collection of activities such as orientations, safety training and workshops to facilitate newcomers of research postgraduate students to undergo a smoother transition. The Faculty also invites prestigious scholars across the globe to give lectures on relevant topics.

I am also very grateful for all the support from my supervisor Dr Aixin Yan during my research on the pathoadaptation mechanisms of nosocomial pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The conductive communications I had with my supervisor has no doubt posed a significant influence on my skill development and given me a clear vision on my research objectives. It benefits me by getting me prepared for the future research work.'

As a child, mathematics was like an anxietyinducing chore to me. At some point in my early teens, I realised much of my phobia I had for the subject was actually attributed by my incomprehension of it – I did not understand why and what I was doing when facing homework problems. In this sense, the dread was inevitable.

Somehow, rote learning and the lack of understanding how these mathematics formulae work prevented me from tweaking them to solve equations in the necessary way. 

So I took it upon myself to probe on my shaky foundation in all ways I could, essentially asking ‘why’ repeatedly like a five-year-old child until I got to the bottom of it. Likely, after a very long time, and with the aid of the Internet and some old textbooks, things began to click for me in a way they never had before.

Thanks to an excellent Mathematics teacher I had in high school, my peers and I were exposed to nonstandard ways of approaching problems under his tutelage which inspired me to look beyond ‘school Mathematics’ and think about the possibility of pursuing ‘doing Mathematics’ as my career.

Being encouraged by him, I enrolled on a university course opened to high school students. The style of thinking the course promoted was exciting. Although it had a huge learning curve and left me with more questions than answers, I was pretty much obsessed with trying to answer them from then on. This led me to continue learning Mathematics at university and eventually led me to the path of postgraduate study.

I have just embarked on my first year of PhD study, and the experience of working with my research group has been very rewarding and encouraging so far. My supervisor Professor Tuen Wai NG has provided me with ample support both personally and professionally, and the questions being prompted by him and my group during presentations and discussion are invaluable to me, as they serve to point out errors in my thinking, as well as deepen my understanding of my studies. Most importantly, outside of academic matters, my family has been incredibly supportive of me.

I think it is too early to say about my future career pathway. Still, I am excited at the prospect of continuing to conduct research in mathematics and teaching the subject in some form, whether that be through staying in academia or otherwise.

When I was a freshman, I became fascinated by the beauty of rocks and minerals, which led me to choose geology as my undergraduate major. As I explored deeper and deeper into the world of these essential building blocks of our planet, I found that geology is not merely a subject about understanding rocks but of studying the evolution of our 4.5 billion-year-old Earth. I therefore became more open-minded in different research fields and questions, and got interested in the interplay between early life and the environment. To satisfy my thirst for learning and exploring the unknown, I decided to go on to graduate study and dive into the world of geosciences.

It is very challenging to verify or validate the scientific findings in the area of Earth Sciences, as the geological record has been altered or does not even exist anymore. The best we can do is to provide as much evidence and support as possible to back up our interpretation of the observation.

Recently, I have published a paper in Communications Earth & Environment with my supervisor Dr Yiliang LI and our collaborator on solar cycles on the early Earth. To argue the presence of solar cycles and their influence on climate was probably 2,470 million years ago, we reviewed previous studies on the dynamos of main-sequence stars, solar-activity-climate interaction, and microbial ecophysiology in ferruginous water bodies. Dr Li guided me through the whole process, from data analysis to manuscript proofing. He is always there to listen, help, and offer guidance. We have had numerous inspiring conversations – it is he who gave me the confidence to explore any topics that interested me.

As a graduand in the Class of 2023, I am fully aware of the highly competitive job market in the academia. To cope with this, the ability to carry out interdisciplinary research projects is a major calling card. Therefore, I am currently doing research on both environmental elemental cycling (by running simulation) and microbial activity (by lab work), and I also equipped myself by learning versatile research techniques, including computer simulation and microbial culturing, hoping that enhancing interdisciplinary research skills may benefit my future research path.

At this point, I have been trying my best to address small questions, as I believe this will eventually help the scientific community solve the big questions collectively.

With various opportunities offered by this programme, I am able to participate in the ecology research work that I have always been interested in. During my first 2 years at HKU, I assisted with research on ants and butterflies. After joining the Global Change and Tropical Conservation lab, I finished my SRF on spiders and have been working as a student RA on a light pollution project in the lab. Through all those research experiences, my understanding of ecology and biodiversity deepened, which made me one step closer to my dream to be a researcher. Besides, by learning from the Grand Masters in a series of master tutorials, I acquired fascinating transdisciplinary knowledge and methods of conducting research. Furthermore, inspired by their passion for scientific research, I hope one day I can devote myself to ecology research and protect the beautiful yet delicate natural world.

The overseas research fellowship was an incredibly satisfying, enjoyable, and enlightening experience. I had the chance to work with renowned professors in worldwide universities and witnessed the research workflow firsthand. Taking on responsibility for a mini academic research project, I was involved in every stage of work, from preparation to field studies and experiments, then to data interpretations and write-ups. This experience has greatly enriched my understanding of what it is like to work in academia.

This fellowship is a precious experiential learning opportunity that I would highly recommend to all science students. It is not merely a research project, but a remarkable journey where you can enrich your personal experiences and discover your own potential.
 

Like many of my undergraduate fellows, I hardly knew what scientific research was like as a freshman, but I was deeply impressed by the enthusiasm of researchers and their commitment to lifelong learning, which led me to take the initiative and volunteer as a student helper in the laboratory led by Dr Mingfu WANG, whose research focuses on anti-cancer effects of phytochemicals.

My first research experience was very educative. I learned to integrate various experimental techniques in chemical compound analysis, better understand the cell culture process, and was given a chance to perform animal experiments. Besides teaching me an array of techniques, Dr Wang also shared his research experience along the way, and showed me how to run a research laboratory, giving me an idea of what to expect in my scientific career. 

After having a taste of scientific research, I was admitted to the Summer Research Fellowship (SRF) Scheme. I was given a chance to conduct an individual research project in Professor Nagendra Prasad SHAH’s laboratory. Under his supervision, I discovered that using germinated wheat flour instead of regular one produced bread with significantly higher GABA content, unleashing the potential to make antihypertensive staple food.

Firing up by these experiences, I even extended my undergraduate study by enrolling in the final year research project (FYP), which trained me to be a logical thinker, thus preparing me for my independent postgraduate research.

Thanks to my current supervisor Dr Chi Bun CHAN, who was my teacher in an undergraduate course about endocrinology, he inspired me to explore the field of metabolism and motivated me to embark on the research journey.

It has been seven months since I joined the PhD programme, and I fully enjoy the moment. Dr Chan’s research group creates a very comfortable and friendly atmosphere for newcomers, and I am instantly connected and developed a sense of belonging in the lab. Dr Chan is the kind of mentor who always initiates thoughtprovoking conversations that stimulate me to seek answers on my own rather than spoon-feed me information. Being around him is like having a supportive friend who always offers comfort and guidance to help me overcome adversity. Besides, I am still dazzled all the time by his logical intelligence!

My ultimate research goal is to unveil the interorgan crosstalk in fatty acid metabolism, which plays an important role in the progression of metabolic myopathy, hepatopathy, and adiposopathy. With the help of collaborators in the chemical and clinical fields, my team could develop novel treatments for these currently incurable diseases and validate the results of the animal model in human clinical studies.

The Food and Nutritional Science Major has provided me with a comprehensive understanding of human nutrition and food security, essential for shaping my career pathway. Academic knowledge was imparted through diverse activities orchestrated by the teaching team. Beyond traditional lectures, interactive laboratory sessions allowed students to explore diverse topics, including food chemistry. This helped me acquire technical skills and enhanced my communication and presentation abilities—both vital in the workplace. Through collaborative group presentations and debates, I developed confidence in public speaking and learned to articulate my ideas logically. 

When I came to our Department as a freshman, I had no idea which area of research to focus on. Thanks to my supervisor, Professor Guosheng YIN, who introduced me to the beauty of Bayesian statistics, which provides many powerful tools to analyse the datasets in practice. 

There is an urgency to accelerate clinical trials while maintaining safety and efficacy for the development of new drugs and vaccine candidates during the pandemic. Under the guidance of Professor Yin, I am motivated to focus my research on medical data and clinical trials. 

Our team has developed some new phase I and phase II clinical trial designs, which would help to speed up the development of the new drugs and vaccines.One of my papers has recently been accepted by a journal that developed a new calibration-free phase I/II design. I hope my methods will be widely applied in practice and be adopted in clinical trials by doctors one day. In this way, it will make my research work much more meaningful.

Every PhD student struggles to publish their first paper and I am no exception. My first project started in December 2018, three months after becoming a PhD student. However, when I was about to submit it to a conference six months later, I found that I had made some vital mistakes in the theoretic proofs of the paper. I must admit that there was a moment I almost broke down and wanted to give up. 

Luckily, my supervisors Professor Yin and Dr Fei JIANG had been very patient with me. I managed to fix those mistakes with their help and submitted the paper on time. Nevertheless, the story did not end here. My paper got rejected, followed by some very harsh and critical comments – I got stumbled again! 

Fortunately the misstep did not make me doubt myself. After repeated rejections and unsuccessful attempts, I did a substantial revision and had the paper submitted to a prestigious journal. Though I have never hoped of being able to make it, surprisingly I received good news from the journal after two months – I got the ‘revise & resubmit’ offer! The feedback from the reviewers was truly inspiring and I tried my very best to address their comments during those rounds of edits. Eventually, my paper got accepted in May 2021. 

It took me two years to have my first paper published. This long journey made me realise that although the road of research is full of obstacles, you will still get the reward if you work hard to pursue your goal. I will finish my thesis in July 2022 and continue my research career as a postdoctoral fellow at the University of California, San Francisco. My adventure has just begun! 

I have always been curious of the fundamental workings of things around me. During my undergraduate study, I had a particular interest in the building blocks of our universe and especially found nuclear processes intriguing. I was also aware that a research career would allow me to explore the frontiers of the scientific domain, which led me to look for opportunities in nuclear physics to further my studies.

In the summer of 2019, I met my current supervisor, Dr Jenny LEE, in an undergraduate conference at HKU and eventually started my PhD career at HKU Science. Dr Lee has provided me with a lot of guidance and resources. Her sound knowledge and expertise in experimental nuclear physics are immensely helpful in guiding me through the research process in this domain. Dr Lee’s ties within the international nuclear physics community have allowed me to collaborate with researchers worldwide. Her strong work ethic has also motivated me to follow in her footsteps to produce the best possible research work to my capabilities.

My research allows me to travel overseas since experimental research in nuclear physics requires extensive use of accelerators, which are only built in several places around the world. Since November 2021, I have been pursuing my research in the Institute of Physical and Chemical Research (RIKEN), Japan, one of the best facilities in the world for nuclear physics. The Radioactive Isotope Beam Factory (RIBF) at RIKEN has the most powerful accelerator for radioactive isotope production. Its capability allows us to study exotic nuclei that are both difficult to produce and elusive from measurements due to their short half-lives.

My current research is to perform mass measurement of exotic nuclei in the neutron-rich rare-earth region. I will also be working on the development of current state-of-the-art mass spectrograph devices to improve their efficiency and precision. The outcomes of my research will shed light on the formation and abundance of rare-earth elements during nucleosynthesis – the production of elements in the stars.

In the near future, I foresee myself continuing the path of research in nuclear physics, and perhaps even contribute to the successful development of fusion energy. This would require me to further my expertise in my current research and carve out a niche for myself. On the other hand, contemporary research is becoming more collaborative and I look forward to participating in such collaborations.

I have always loved animals; I just did not know how to make it my lifetime career. Interested in biology, I thought that I wanted to become a veterinarian, but after joining university, I realised what I truly liked was actually called ‘ecology’.

During the pursuit of my master’s degree in Paris, I started to be captivated by conservation physiology, an emerging field which offers a more dynamic approach in respect to climate change when compared to conventional conservation measures. The different research opportunities I had during that time played a big part in shaping my research direction and motivated me to do a PhD.

I have always loved forensic science as portrayed in fictions or dramas, but I had never connected it to a potential career in conservation, until early 2017 when I moved to Laos, regularly observing ostriches, monkeys, eagles, iguanas, or crocodile eggs in wildlife market – some of which are not even native species to Asia!

I embarked on my PhD journey during the same year, keeping wildlife trade research in the back of my head. My research is nested into a broad field of wildlife conservation, with a primary interest in conservation physiology.

I investigate the physiological responses of diurnal and nocturnal ectotherms to climate change, with a particular interest in lizards. Besides, I have also developed a project about the trade of tokay geckos, both for traditional medicine and pet trades.

Being exposed to the Conservation Forensics Lab at the School of Biological Sciences, I developed interests and skills from many passionate ecologists, for which I am very grateful.

My supervisor, Dr Timothy BONEBRAKE, has played a crucial role in shaping the scientist I have become, by granting me his trust from the start and allowing me to develop my ideas at my own pace. I am very grateful for the opportunities and advice I received from him over the years, even during the most stressful parts of this journey.

I was also influenced by other scientists such as Dr Caroline DINGLE, the Director of the Conservation Forensics Lab. She always welcomed my questions, whether scientific or about student struggles. As the founder of the Women in Science at HKU, she also championed many of my peers and myself.

I would like to dig deeper into the topics I have based my research on, to address ecological and societal issues. The more I learn about the science of climate change, the more I see the need for societal change and human adaptations. I cannot imagine having a job that does not touch on these issues. I am looking forward to building my career on this expertise and experience, and to take part in creating a more informed, self-sufficient, and resilient society.

As a kid, I was often fascinated by the reaction and interaction between chemicals, so I operated a tiny laboratory to do my silly experiments at home, which kindled my passion and interest in the realm of chemistry. 

I am a firm believer in chemistry and think that its proper applications via technology in various fields such as medicine, agriculture, and food industry shall be the legacy we leave to our future generations. Being able to be a part of this process gives me a great sense of achievement and pride. 

My research focuses on making molecules with ‘seven-membered rings’, one of the many kinds of bioactive natural structures that chemists have always been fascinated with and hope to synthesise them to serve as a lead compound for drug discovery and advance our understanding of the natural world. It is one of the many paths I am attempting to explore. In the long run, I hope my work will contribute back to society and help shape the world into a better place.  

Nevertheless, research funding is always a challenge. Apart from financial aid provided by my scholarship, I am grateful that I also received extra funding to support my research, and the level of support is sufficient for buying items related to my thesis research, procurement of research materials, books, equipment, publication fees, and editing service. 

The transition from undergraduate study to postgraduate research is also one of the bottlenecks. The most important fixed goal you can set during your undergraduate study is the date for your graduation. But as a postgraduate, your experimental plan could be changed anytime if the current one does not work. I manage to overcome it with the help of my supervisor and lab mates. I am grateful for the opportunity to work with my current supervisor, Professor Pauline CHIU, who always makes sure that I am on the right track and actively gives me feedback during our weekly meetings, which helps plan subsequent experiments and work. And thanks to my lab mates, who are from diverse backgrounds, eager to share different experiences with me all the time.

I also do my reflections and rethinking from time to time, which is an important process to lead myself and facilitate a more profound way of learning.

As a member of the Faculty’s Young Scientist Scheme, I got the privilege and sponsorship to go to Yale University for visiting study. At Yale, I experienced their graduation ceremony, attended some inspiring seminars, and even got to hear Nobel Laureate Svante Paabo share his insights. In addition, I took a research internship in Professor Gendron’s lab, where I applied mathematical modelling to study plant photoperiodism, which enhanced my systems biology skills and further fuelled my goals.

We have always been taught that habitat loss – a known threat to our planet and its biodiversity – occurs gradually over many years. PhD student Vriko YU used to share that belief but was alarmed to witness first-hand a patch of coral off Hoi Ha Wan Marine Park disappear in just two months. Coral reefs are the ‘tropical forests of the sea’, known for their rich biodiversity which provides a highly complex habitat to support whole ecosystems of fish, plants and invertebrates.

‘Books have always said it takes decades for us to destroy the reef,’ Vrkio recalls, ‘but in reality, it can just be gone in the blink of an eye. That is when I started to think about what we can do to mitigate the impacts of climate change.’

Vriko’s love for diving started in her undergraduate studies, where she likened the excitement of finding and identifying the many sea creatures to a game of Pokémon Go. ‘What I like about diving is that I don’t know what I would get to see, like catching Pokémon! Typically when we dive, we go to hotspots which are where corals are.’ This made her realise that in order to continue conserving what we like to see underwater or foods we like to eat, first we need to rebuild the corals. ‘They are the foundation,’ she emphasises. This drive to protect coral reefs led Vriko to start her own social enterprise, archiREEF – an environmental social enterprise offering a one-stop solution for impact changers at corporation or government levels, or even individuals that want to be involved in making a difference.

Seamlessly blending manmade supports into nature

Vriko explains that traditional reef restoration uses more primitive materials like metal or concrete as a substrate for the coral, which does not mimic the natural environment well. To provide a better alternative, Vriko worked on producing 3D-printed reef tiles as part of her PhD research project at HKU, supervised by Dr David BAKER, Associate Professor at School of Biological Sciences. The reef tiles that mimic the surface of brain corals have seen much success.

They yielded a four times higher survivorship of local ‘super-corals’ – the nickname given to corals capable of growing in the harsh Hong Kong waters – as well as boasted significantly more commercial fishes and a higher biodiversity of coral-associated invertebrates on-site. Most excitingly, Vriko and her team even witnessed an apex predator making its home and laying eggs in the restored coral habitat. ‘The first time I saw the female cuttlefish, it was really exciting! She was huge and looked like a spaceship, but suddenly she flattened herself to catch a prey. The second time we saw her, we thought she was sleeping but when we got closer, we realised she was laying eggs under the tiles!’

Vriko reiterates the ultimate goal of restoration is to bring entire ecosystems back to their healthy states. This one charismatic cuttlefish residing and completing her life cycle in the reef tiles is a symbol of hope that coral reefs can be restored, along with their lost biodiversity recovered.

Growing into the international arena

To further promote coral reef conservation in the region, Vriko is currently serving as a non-official member on the Country and Marine Parks Board of The Government of HKSAR, as well as the Education Committee for WWF, where she shares her expertise on conservation with other stakeholders.

Yet, the protection of coastal reefs is a concern not only locally. Neighbouring regions also have sought Hong Kong’s support in this aspect. Vriko, who additionally serves as the Assistant Director and Eco Diver Instructor for Reef Check Hong Kong (RCHK), provides the necessary training alongside other volunteer instructors to ensure that their international counterparts too, are better equipped with knowledge on reefs and how to monitor their status.

For those of you who wish to follow in Vriko’s footsteps with a postgraduate degree, Vriko is very satisfied with the support that HKU provides PhD students such as herself.

‘I have to thank my supervisor, Dr David BAKER, for giving me the flexibility to decide what I wanted to do. It is not usual for students to have the autonomy to decide what they want to pursue, and have a supervisor fully supportive of them.’ With the additional help of travel grants, she was given opportunities to attend overseas conferences, gaining invaluable experiences outside of Hong Kong. One piece of advice she hopes all students can take is to be proactive. ‘In HKU, anything is accessible if you are willing to be proactive to ask. There are always channels to help!’ (Article by Kengie TANG)

Learn more about archiREEF

View interview with CNN