e-Bulletin December 2023
Erika Elvander, Health Attaché at the US Embassy in Beijing visited our school in early December to talk with our students of the BASc in Global Health and Development Programme. When asked how she approaches conflict, she said, “Everyone wants to install hope in their families.”
Her words remind us of the deep significance of our work in public health. We are a unifying force in society. Whether we are tracing the carcinogenic biophysics of chamosite coal, leading a tutorial on avian flu in Maipo, or tracking down the 17th signature on an IRB form — we are making a difference. Our mission resonates deeply within the hearts of every individual striving to bring hope to their families.
As members of the HKU School of Public Health, we are united by a shared vision – to make a positive impact on the health and well-being of our communities. This vision is underpinned by principles that guide our actions, decisions, and interactions. By adhering to these principles, we not only promote a harmonious work environment, but also ensure the fulfillment of our collective purpose.
One fundamental principle that we must always uphold is empathy. By empathizing with the challenges and concerns faced by individuals and families, we are better equipped to address their needs effectively. My epidemiological professor started our semester by saying that every epidemiological statistic was a number with a teardrop. Remembering that can keep us human. Behind every statistic, research finding, or policy decision, there are real people, with hopes and dreams for their loved ones. Our commitment to empathy fuels our drive to bring hope to families, as we strive to develop innovative solutions to pressing issues in public health.
Collaboration, too, lies at the heart of our principles. Recognizing that no single individual possesses all the necessary expertise, we embrace the power of teamwork and collaboration. By fostering an inclusive and supportive environment, we encourage the sharing of ideas, knowledge, and skills, thereby amplifying the impact of our collective efforts. Together, we can accomplish far more than we ever could alone, and in doing so, we bring hope to families far and wide.
As 2023 draws to a close, I want to thank you for your dedication, perseverance, and unwavering commitment to upholding our principles. Together, let us continue to make a difference and bring hope to families in our community and beyond.
Professor David Bishai
Director and Clinical Professor
School of Public Health, HKU
KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE |
Distinguished Lecture by Dr Victor Dzau
On How to Strengthen Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response
The School of Public Health (SPH), HKU recently hosted a distinguished lecture titled “Global Pandemic Prevention and Readiness: A Fragile State of Preparedness” by Dr Victor Dzau, President of the U.S. National Academy of Medicine. The event took place on December 4, 2023, on the HKU medical campus and saw an in-person participation of over 100 attendees.
The event commenced with opening remarks from Professor Vivian Lin, Executive Associate Dean of the LKS Faculty of Medicine, HKU. Dr Victor Dzau shared his insights on the fragile state of preparedness in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. He emphasised factors such as lack of trust, persistent inequity, pandemic fatigue, and political apathy. Dr Dzau stressed the need for governments and stakeholders to come together and strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness and response before the next pandemic occurs.
The lecture concluded with a lively Q&A session moderated by Professor David Bishai, Director and Clinical Professor of SPH, where participants actively engaged in the discussion.
To watch Dr Victor Dzau’s distinguished lecture, please click here.
RECOGNITION |
Twenty Faculty Members Listed as World’s Top 1% Scholars
Topping the List in HKU for Five Consecutive Years
Twenty SPH faculty members are listed as the world’s top 1% scholars. Out of all academic units in the University, our School has topped the list five years in a row, accounting for 20 out of 167 scholars in HKU in the top 1% list in 2023.
The Top 1% Scholars at SPH are*:
- Dr Sheikh Taslim Ali, Assistant Professor
- Professor David Bishai, Director of School of Public Health and Clinical Professor
- Professor Ben Cowling, Chair Professor of Epidemiology and Head of Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics
- Professor Yi Guan, Daniel CK Yu Professor in Virology, Chair Professor of Emerging Viral Diseases and Cluster Leader (Influenza and Infections of Public Health Significance)
- Dr Daniel Ho, Associate Professor
- Dr Tommy Lam, Associate Professor
- Dr Kathy Leung, Assistant Professor
- Dr Julie Liao, Assistant Professor
- Professor Malik Peiris, Tam Wah-Ching Professor in Medical Science and Chair Professor of Virology
- Professor Leo Poon, Chair Professor of Public Health Virology and Head of Division of Public Health Laboratory Sciences
- Dr Catherine Mary Schooling, Honorary Associate Professor and Cluster Leader (Non-communicable Diseases in Global Health)
- Professor Parco Siu, Professor and Head of Division of Kinesiology
- Dr Linwei Tian, Associate Professor
- Dr Tim Tsang, Assistant Professor
- Dr Sook San Wong, Assistant Professor
- Dr Jessica Wong, Research Assistant Professor
- Professor Joseph Wu, Professor
- Dr Peng Wu, Assistant Professor
- Dr Hui-ling Yen, Associate Professor
- Dr Maria Zhu, Associate Professor
*In alphabetical order of surname
This list recognises HKU researchers ranked by Clarivate Analytics in the top 1% worldwide by citations in at least one of the 22 research fields. Data is drawn from Essential Science Indicators (ESI).
The School extends our heartfelt congratulations to our top scholars.
Source: HKU Scholars Hub
Dr Shan Luo, Research Assistant Professor of the Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, was awarded the INSPIRE grant from Wereld Kanker Onderzoek Fonds, as part of the World Cancer Research Fund International (WCRF).
The INSPIRE project titled “Exploring the mechanisms linking sleep patterns and breast cancer risk” aims to identify druggable proteins so as to offer alternative and viable interventions for breast cancer prevention and treatment when optimal chronotypes cannot be achieved.
Dr Luo is grateful to the Fund; supervisor Dr Ryan Au Yeung, Assistant Professor of the Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics; as well as teammate Dr Jie Zheng of Shanghai Jiaotong University for supporting the research.
EVENT SNIPPETS |
SPH Members in Action
From Congregation to Christmas Party
Graduates from the School of Public Health have been conferred the degrees of Master of Public Health (MPH) and Master/Doctor of Philosophy (MPhil/PhD) at the 211th Congregation of LKS Faculty of Medicine on December 2, 2023. Congratulations to the Class of 2023! No matter where you go from here, you will always have a home at HKU!
The Fireside Chat with Ms Erika Elvander, Health Attaché, US Embassy in Beijing, provided our BASc in Global Health and Development [BASc(GHD)] students with a unique opportunity to gain insights into the field of global health and development on December 7, 2023. She shared her career journey, highlighting the importance of international relations in addressing health issues, including but not limited to communicable and non-communicable disease control, and cooperation on health research. The students were engaged in discussions about emerging global health topics in Asia and learned about the day-to-day responsibilities of a health attaché.
MBBS Specialty-based Career Workshop on Public Health
Dr Chung Pui Hong, Programme Director of BASc(GHD), shared his insights and experience in Public Health as a career at the “MBBS Specialty-based Career Workshop Series – Public Health” on December 1, 2023. Twenty participants from MBBS* and secondary schools joined the event. For those who would like to know more, feel free to contact Dr Chung at puihong@hku.hk.
*MBBS: Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery
BASc(GHD) programme Year 3 student, Skyler Khaw, and Year 4 student, Andrea Chan, discussed various aspects of the programme and their six-month internship experience on RTHK Radio 1’s programme “Happy Daily”. The interview was aired on November 21 and 28, 2023. To listen to the interview, please visit:
First episode (November 21, 2023):
https://www.rthk.hk/radio/radio1/programme/happydaily/episode/918880
(Part 2: 38:31)
Second episode (November 28, 2023): https://www.rthk.hk/radio/radio1/programme/happydaily/episode/920216
(Part 2: 34:31)
Over 200 staff members of SPH enthusiastically participated in the Christmas Party held on December 14, 2023. The event was filled with joy and excitement as attendees relished the delectable food and played fun games. Highlight of the event was the lucky draw with prizes supported by the generosity of donors from the School. Professor CS Lau, Dean of LKS Faculty of Medicine, and other members of the Faculty and the School drew lucky draw winners. Santa Claus had a tough act to follow.
The School of Public Health wishes everyone a warm and joyful holiday.
CALENDAR |
Mark Your Diary
Join SPH Events
| SPH 20th Anniversary | |
| Date/Period | Events |
| January 19, 2024 | MPH Alumni Sharing |
| January 27, 2024 | Public Health Forum 2024 |
| April 2024 | 20th Anniversary Fun Day |
Follow our webpage and social media to stay tuned!