• Award & Recognition
• Apr 2024
• Bulletin

Research Potential Acknowledged

PhD students honoured by HKU Graduate School

Several research students were honoured for their outstanding performances at the HKU Graduate Schol Award Presentation Ceremony on March 4, 2024. These awards serve as a testament to their hard work in their respective research pursuits. The recognition they have received further exemplifies the Faculty’s commitment to fostering and nurturing research talents. Congratulations again to all the deserving awardees!

HKU Foundation Award for Outstanding Research Postgraduate Students 2021-22

From left: Professor Kuo Feng Hung expresses his gratitude to his supervisor, Professor Mike Leung for the guidance and support.

Professor Kuo Feng Hung, who was once a diligent PhD student, has now assumed the position of Assistant Professor. His area of expertise lies in digital and precision dentistry, to which his research focuses on the utilisation of deep learning and radiomics for the diagnosis of oral-maxillofacial diseases. He is also exploring methods for detecting incidental findings in dental radiographic images, multimodal image segmentation, and guided dental implant surgery.

His award-winning PhD research delved into artificial intelligence (AI)’s potential in dentomaxillofacial radiology, offering insights that assist clinicians in diagnosing and planning treatment for maxillary sinus, and stress the need for low-dose protocols for CBCT imaging to minimize radiation exposure for patients.

“I am deeply grateful and humble to accept this prestigious recognition, which motivates me to further dental research and education,” said Professor Hung.

As a former research student, Professor Hung was impressed by the Faculty’s stimulating and diverse academic environment. “Collaborating with outstanding scientists, clinicians, and clinician-scientists, as well as talented peers, provides a strong foundation for my growth as a researcher.”

He expressed gratitude towards his supervisors: Professor Mike Leung, Clinical Professor in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Professor Michael Bornstein, Honorary Professor and Professor Jukka Matinlinna, Honorary Professor, along with the team members for their support.

Transitioning from student to assistant professor, he acknowledges both excitement and challenges, “As a fresh assistant professor, seeking research funding, developing my teaching philosophy, and sharing research findings broadly are vital. I am thrilled about the opportunity to mentor future researchers while collaborating with colleagues on multidisciplinary projects.”

Research Postgraduate Student Innovation Award 2023-24

Ms Junjing Zhang is honoured for her innovative research idea at the Award Presentation Ceremony.

This project aims to advance the development of multifunctional biocomposites and manufacturing technologies for 3D printing, specifically focusing on the integration of nano-dot array optical sensors within 3D-printed clear aligners and other orthodontic appliances. The orthodontic forces can be measured directly at the dental clinics, and the changed force information can be monitored even during long-term use. The implications of this technology extend beyond orthodontic applications, as it can also be utilized for human health monitoring and advanced prosthetics. This newly developed method and technology have the potential to open up new avenues for improving treatment outcomes and patient care, and for widespread adoption through licensing to create significant market opportunities in the orthodontic appliance industry.

HKU Presidential PhD Scholar Programme 2023-24 &
Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme

• Ms Jiusi Guo
• Ms Shuwen Hou
• Mr Yingheng Liu
• Ms Xinyu Yan