e-Bulletin February 2026

Wishing and hoping are at their annual high preparing for a new year. Nothing can replace the human heart for its ability to hope. No other mammal (or robot) is known to have the capacity to mentally represent and emotionally imprint plans and desires for the next 12 months the way a person can.

Our work in public health unifies the humanity of hoping with the science of prediction. These two tools work better together. Hence, our profession combines understanding what is likely to happen with a social and political understanding of what we are collectively hoping for. Collectively creating the conditions in which people can be healthy is an act of hopeful shared willpower. Let’s realize hopes and sincere wishes for good health, long lives and prosperity. Let’s work together to understand the science of how to bring to reality the future that we want to see.

Professor David Bishai
Director and Clinical Professor
School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong

Professor Tommy Lam Receives Grant Under NSFC/RGC Joint and Collaborative Research Schemes
A Ground-Breaking Study to Tackle Tick-Borne Viruses Across Africa and Asia

We are proud to share that a project led by Professor Tommy Lam, Associate Professor of our School, has received funding under the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the Research Grants Council (NSFC/RGC) Collaborative Research Scheme. Titled “Host Ecology and Genetic Factors of Tick-borne Virus Emergence”, this project aims to study ticks and their viruses in Africa and Asia, understand how climatic, environmental, and ecological factors affect their spread, evaluate how harmful these viruses are, and explore how human and animal genetics impact infections.

This crucial knowledge will empower scientists to develop better ways to prevent and control tick-borne diseases. To learn more, read the full press release here.

Congratulations to Professor Lam on this significant achievement.

Professor Kathy Leung Receives the University Outstanding Young Researcher Award
Celebrating Excellence in Infectious Disease Modelling and Public Health Innovation

Professor Kathy Leung, Assistant Professor of our School, is the proud recipient of the University’s Outstanding Young Researcher Award (OYRA) 2024-2025. This prestigious honour recognises exceptional research achievements by young scholars under the age of 40.

Professor Leung’s pioneering research in infectious disease modelling and health intervention evaluation has earned her international acclaim. Since 2023, she has been named a Highly Cited Researcher, ranking among the top 1% of scientists worldwide. Her work has played a crucial role in shaping public health policies, notably during the COVID-19 pandemic, and extends across critical areas including influenza, RSV, HPV, as well as cancer prevention.

The School warmly congratulates Professor Leung on this well-deserved recognition.

Public Health Forum 2026
Public Health: Challenges, Opportunities and Innovations

The School of Public Health (SPH) hosted the Public Health Forum 2026 entitled “Public Health: Challenges, Opportunities, and Innovations” on January 24, 2026. The Forum aimed to explore pressing health issues and emerging threats while highlighting innovative solutions, collaborative efforts, and policy development.

The Forum began with welcome remarks from Dr Ronald Lam, Director of Health of the Department of Health, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China, and Professor Lau Chak-sing, Dean of HKU LKS Faculty of Medicine.

The School was honoured to host Dr Michael Lu, Dean of the School of Public Health at the University of California, Berkeley, who inspired us to reimagine public health for a rapidly changing world. The first plenary session explored opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao region over the next decade. Insights were shared by Professor Lin Hualiang, Assistant Dean and Chair of the Department of Epidemiology at the School of Public Health of Sun Yat-sen University; Professor Shelly Tse, Associate Director (Mainland Affairs) and Professor of the Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong; and Professor Xiang Yutao, Distinguished Professor and Head of the Department of Public Health and Medicinal Administration at the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau.

During the second plenary session, division heads and representatives from our School, including Professors David Bishai, Dennis Ip, Wendy Lam, Leo Poon, Parco Siu, and Jane Zhao, engaged in a strategic dialogue about the future of public health research, education and emerging opportunities.

The Public Health Forum 2026 brought together more than 200 participants, powerfully demonstrating that by addressing challenges and embracing collaborative opportunities, our School can foster the innovative and equitable approaches needed for a healthier tomorrow. The Forum also featured a student poster session, where 44 posters were displayed, showcasing the research and findings of our next-generation public health professionals.

The winners of the Student Poster Session are as follows:

Best Student Poster Award
Winner: Ms Li Xinyi (MPhil)
Poster Title: Effect of Acute Respiratory Illnesses on Frailty in Community-dwelling Older Adults

First Runner-up: Ms Wang Jianhui (PhD)
Poster Title: Global Evolutionary Dynamics and Host Adaptation of H6 Avian Influenza Viruses in Eastern Asian Poultry

Second Runner-up: Ms Kam Tong Tonia (PhD)
Poster Title: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1-induced Lung Injury, Regeneration and Remodelling

Inaugural Induction Ceremony of the Zeta Alpha, Delta Omega Chapter of the HKU School of Public Health
A New Milestone for Public Health Excellence

The Inaugural Induction Ceremony of the Zeta Alpha, Delta Omega Chapter of the School of Public Health was held on January 24, 2026, as part of the School’s annual Public Health Forum. This significant occasion marked the official establishment of the Delta Omega Honorary Society in Public Health Chapter at the University of Hong Kong, a distinguished honorary society dedicated to recognising and promoting excellence in public health scholarship, leadership, and service.

The ceremony opened with remarks by Dr Polly Wong, Senior Lecturer and Master of Public Health (MPH) Deputy Programme Director. Dr Wong introduced the Delta Omega Honorary Society, outlining its background, mission, and core values, and emphasised its commitment to advancing academic and professional accomplishment, promoting the application of research to public health practice, and nurturing a devoted community of public health professionals and scholars.

Following the introduction, Professor David Bishai, our School Director and Clinical Professor, officiated the induction of the Chapter’s inaugural cohort. All ten inductees are MPH graduates, recognised for their outstanding academic achievements, professional accomplishments, and meaningful contributions to the field of public health. Their achievements reflect the School’s strong commitment to excellence in education, research, and service, as well as its dedication to improving population health locally, regionally, and globally.

During the ceremony, certificates were presented to the inductees. The establishment of the Zeta Alpha Chapter at the School marks an important milestone in fostering leadership, integrity, and service within our academic community.

 We extend our sincerest congratulations to all inductees on this well-deserved honour.

Empowerment of Young Leaders for Healthy China
A Collaborative Training Initiative Cultivating Future Medical Leaders

Under the guidance of the National Health Commission (NHC), the Empowerment of Young Leaders for Healthy China is a key initiative within the National Capacity Building Programme for Human Resources for Health. It is organised by the Department of Health and the Hospital Authority of the Government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China, the Hong Kong Academy of Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, HKU and the Chinese University of Hong Kong. It is funded by the Institute of Philanthropy.

The programme brought together 48 young public health and medical talents for a six-month training journey. It began with a visit to the HKU Main Campus and the HKUMed campus, and will be followed by a series of deep-dive seminars and expert-led discussions in the months ahead.

From theory to practice, our School equips the next generation of leaders with interdisciplinary expertise and a global vision to advance Healthy China.

MPH Student Exchange Agreement with the Vanke School of Public Health of Tsinghua University
Forging a New Chapter in Academic Excellence and Student Collaboration

We are delighted to welcome Professor Li Luming, President of Tsinghua University, and his delegation to the University of Hong Kong (HKU) on December 22, 2025. During the visit, five Memorandum of Understanding and Agreements were signed between Tsinghua University and HKU.

Among them, our School entered into an MPH Student Exchange Agreement with the Vanke School of Public Health of Tsinghua University, opening a new chapter of collaboration in academic excellence, research, and student exchange.

The visit also featured a tour of our School’s laboratories and Queen Mary Hospital. We look forward to fostering a vibrant partnership that will enrich our students, faculty, and communities.

Sports Health Empowerment Course for Primary Healthcare Professionals
Equipping Frontline Professionals with Exercise Skills for Health and Wellbeing

With the support of the Division of Kinesiology of our School, HKUMed Sports Health recently hosted a “Sports Health Empowerment Course for Primary Healthcare Professionals”. Participants from various District Health Centres, including nurses, physiotherapists, and occupational therapists, gained valuable skills in promoting physical activity and exercise.

The course aims to provide healthcare professionals with a broad understanding of the physiological responses and adaptations to exercise, as well as the crucial role of physical activity in the prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation of major chronic diseases. It also seeks to empower them to provide physical activity counselling or prescribe exercise for health promotion.

The event received excellent feedback, and we are proud to continue supporting initiatives that empower primary healthcare professionals to incorporate sports health into their practice, ultimately improving health outcomes across our communities.

SPH Study Highlights Impact of Community Programmes on Digital Health and Social Bonds
Enhancing Older Adults’ Well-Being Through Intergenerational Engagement

A new study led by Professor Sophia Chan, Professor at our School, Senior Advisor to the President’s Office, and Professor and Director of the HKU Primary Health Care Academy, in collaboration with the Generations Connect (GC) Project research team, has recently been published.

This study focuses on boosting digital health engagement among older adults in Hong Kong. It explores the impact of community-based, intergenerational programmes on the well-being of older adults. The findings show that structured interaction between younger and older generations fosters stronger social bonds and improves emotional health for both groups. Importantly, the research highlights the role of mutual support and meaningful engagement in reducing social isolation among older adults.

By investing in intergenerational connections, communities can build a more inclusive, compassionate, and age-friendly society. We hope these insights will encourage further cross-generational initiatives globally.

The findings have now been published in the JMIR Formative Research. Click here to view the publication.

Tai Chi’s Long-Term Benefits for Chronic Insomnia
Revealing a Sustainable Path to Physical and Mental Well-Being

A recent study from our School reveals that Tai Chi offers long-term benefits for chronic insomnia. Led by Professor Parco Siu, our Professor and Head of the Division of Kinesiology, and his research team, it shows that Tai Chi’s effectiveness is comparable to cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I), the current first-line non-pharmacological treatment.

The research highlights Tai Chi as an accessible, culturally relevant, low-cost alternative, particularly suitable for middle-aged and older adults. While CBT-I provides rapid relief, Tai Chi’s benefits sustained over time, nearly matching the effectiveness of CBT-I after 15 months. The findings also indicate that Tai Chi not only helps improve sleep but also promotes overall physical and mental well-being, reducing therapy costs and wait times.

The findings have now been published in The BMJ. Click here to view the publication.

A Universal Nasal Vaccine: One Dose, Blocks Transmission
Broad Protection Against Multiple Coronaviruses

A SPH research team led by Professor Leo Poon, Daniel C K Yu Professor in Virology, Chair Professor of Public Health Virology at our School, and Co-Director of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Global Health Institute (HKJCGHI), along with major team members including Dr Nigeer Te, Dr Alex Chin, Dr Gu Haogao and Professor Malik Peiris, has developed a novel live-attenuated coronavirus vaccine candidate, cb1, that can generate broad immunity against multiple beta-coronaviruses with a single intranasal dose. The study shows that cb1 not only prevents severe disease, but also blocks viral transmission in animal models. The study has been published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) [Link to the publication].

The vaccine demonstrates four key protective features. It offers broad protection with a single dose, providing complete protection in mice against lethal challenges from multiple coronaviruses, including ancestral SARS-CoV-2, Omicron subvariants, and even a common cold coronavirus. Second, it blocks transmission, preventing the spread of SARS-CoV-2 via airborne aerosols and direct contact in hamster models – a feature which is often absent in current intramuscular vaccines. Third, it stimulates robust and durable immunity, generating strong neutralising antibodies and potent T-cell responses in both systemic and mucosal tissues. Finally, as a booster, it overcomes immune imprinting by broadening the antibody responses to cover a wider range of coronaviruses, effectively updating existing immunity.

Professor Leo Poon stated, “Our codon-deoptimisation strategy allows us to substantially weaken the virus without changing a single amino acid. The vaccine replicates only to the extent needed to comprehensively train the immune system, while remaining too weak to cause disease. The breadth of protection we have observed that spans multiple species of beta-coronaviruses is exceptionally promising for the development of a universal coronavirus vaccine”.

Go WHO Workshop
Inspiring the Next Generation of Global Health Leaders

Professor David Bishai, our School Director and Clinical Professor, recently shared his insights on the “Go WHO Workshop” hosted at the University of Hong Kong (HKU). The event focused on interview techniques and professional consultations, drawing 43 participants from HKU, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, and other institutions. This reflects a growing interest among young professionals in global public health careers.

Two of our Master of Public Health (MPH) graduates, Amos Cheung and Dr Marafa Labib Mohammed, shared their motivations for pursuing careers with the WHO and their aspirations to contribute to worldwide health impact. Through initiatives like this, Professor Bishai hopes to inspire more young talents to pursue their career in the field of public health, emphasising that a deeper understanding of the WHO’s role can also enhance local healthcare-related industries.

This workshop marks a significant step in encouraging the next generation to join the public health field, shaping a healthier future for all.

To read the full story, click here for the coverage in Singtao Headline (available in Chinese only). The workshop was also featured in Mingpao and Hong Kong Economic Times (also available in Chinese only).

Publications in December 2025 and January 2026
Scholars’ Output Highlighted

The following are research papers published by SPH researchers in December 2025 and January 2026:

Remarks:

      * Member of School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong

• This list is compiled by searching in Scopus using the keywords “School of Public Health, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong” for December 2025 and January 2026
• Arranged by date of publication