e-Bulletin March 2024

Celebrating the Greatness of Our School
Nurturing the Next Generation with Dedication

This issue of the newsletter highlights how the greatness of our school lies in its people. Even if you don’t have time to read the whole issue, the pictures say everything. Take a look at our students photographed as they win research awards, present their latest findings, and hobnob with the God of Wealth at a Spring Gathering. The reason they chose to study here is also pictured—faculty mentors who take time. They care so much about our field that they have chosen to instruct the next generation and include them as they run collaborations and invent cool new stuff like a “rat cam”. (See “In the Media” featuring Professor Tommy Lam).

Professor David Bishai
Director and Clinical Professor

School of Public Health, HKU

RPg Student & PhD Graduate Receive HKU Foundation Publication Award
HKU Research Postgraduate Symposium cum Award Presentation Ceremony

Ms Yun Lin, Research Postgraduate (RPg) student of SPH, was awarded the HKU Foundation Publication Award for Research Postgraduate Students 2023 during the HKU Research Postgraduate Symposium cum Award Presentation Ceremony on March 4, 2024.

The winning journal article, titled “Incorporating temporal distribution of population-level viral load enables real-time estimation of COVID-19 transmission”, focused on incorporating viral loads from COVID-19 cases during the third and fourth waves in Hong Kong. The paper demonstrated how the inclusion of data on population viral load distributions from symptom-based surveillance could support real-time tracking of transmission.

Ms Lin extended her gratitude to her teammates from the Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics especially her primary supervisor, Professor Peng Wu, Assistant Professor; co-first author, Dr Bingyi Yang, Research Assistant Professor; as well as the corresponding author, Professor Benjamin Cowling, Professor, Chair of Epidemiology and Division Head. Ms Lin stated, “It’s a validation of the hard work and effort that we’ve made together. The award motivates me to continue pursuing excellence in my field.”

Looking ahead, the research team plans to employ similar methods in different settings to further explore the potential of monitoring the epidemic situation.

Dr Nicole Tsang, PhD graduate of SPH, received the same award with her paper “Effectiveness of BNT162b2 and CoronaVac COVID-19 vaccination against asymptomatic and symptomatic infection of SARS-CoV-2 omicron BA.2 in Hong Kong: a prospective cohort study”. Her work examined the public health impact of vaccination on community infections, including mild and asymptomatic infections, which has important implications for preventing disease transmission in the community.

Dr Tsang expressed thanks to the HKU Foundation and Award Committee for presenting her with the prestigious Publication Award. She stated that without the invaluable guidance from her supervisors, Professor Dennis Ip, Clinical Associate Professor and Division Head, Division of Community Medicine and Public Health Practice, and Professor Benjamin Cowling, this achievement would not have been possible. “This award motivates me to continue working on infectious diseases epidemiology,” Dr Tsang said.

HKU Foundation Publication Award for Research Postgraduate Students, funded by The University of Hong Kong Foundation for Educational Development and Research, was established in 2022 – 23. Up to twenty awards may be presented each year to RPg students who have published a journal article of exceptional quality.

Publications in February 2024
Scholars’ Output Highlighted

The followings are research papers published by SPH researches in February 2024:

Remark:

• 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 February 2024.
• * Member of School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong
• In alphabetical order of publication

RPg Seminar & Journal Club
Sharing on Research Studies

Hot topics in public health are on the menu at the School of Public Health’s RPg seminar and Journal Club meeting which run every Wednesday.

On February 28, Ms Sarea Nizami spoke on the topic of “Monitoring the Co-Evolution of Hemagglutinin and Neuraminidase in Zoonotic Influenza Viruses Using Phylogenetic-based Methods”. Mr Jonathan Lau then took the stage and presented on “Optimal timing of nirmatrelvir/ritonavir treatment after COVID-19 symptom onset or diagnosis”.

Next was Mr Chris Chen who shared his insights on “Grip Strength, Genetic Risk, and Type 2 Diabetes Among South Asians: A UK Biobank Study”, followed by Ms Xin Huang who discussed about “Exploring the causal effects of plasma alanine on health outcomes using Mendelian randomization study”. Finally, Ms Julie Jiesisibieke, who was also the Chairperson, elucidated “Causal effects of body composition on lifespan: Mendelian randomization analysis”.

March 6 was devoted to the latest research on glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) inhibitors. Ms Xiyin Chen presented the paper “Semaglutide: a new drug for the treatment of obesity”* and Mr Ajibola Ogunsola presented “Cost-effectiveness of antiobesity drugs for adolescents with severe obesity”^ respectively at the RPG Journal Club. The first paper reviewed the evidence on efficacy and side effects of the drugs for treating obesity, while the second addresses their cost-effectiveness. Ms Dorothy Guo co-chaired the session.

*Lexchin J, Mintzes B. Semaglutide: a new drug for the treatment of obesity. Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin.2023 Nov 29;61(12):182-188

^Mital S, Nguyen HV. Cost-effectiveness of antiobesity drugs for adolescents with severe obesity. JAMA Netw Open. 2023 Oct 2;6(10):e2336400

All RPg students and staff are highly encouraged to participate in these gatherings. MPH and BASc(GHD) students are welcome to join as well. Don’t miss out on the opportunities to expand your knowledge and engage with cutting-edge research!

Spring Gathering
Enhance Camaraderie

A Spring Gathering, held on February 29, 2024, was a festive occasion attended by 90 students, supervisors, and colleagues.

The event served as a celebration of the Year of the Dragon, providing a platform for attendees to socialise and strengthen their bonding. The atmosphere was filled with excitement as participants indulged in delectable food and engaged in various fun activities such as lucky draw. The opportunity to take a photo with the God of Wealth added an extra cultural touch. The event concluded with laughter and a sense of camaraderie.

Thermal Cameras to Track Rodents
Professor Tommy Lam Assisting in Processing Data to Tackle Rat Infestations

Professor Tommy Lam, Associate Professor, Division of Public Health Laboratory Sciences, is collaborating with the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) to combat rodent infestations using thermal imaging and AI technology. This pilot project has been implemented in three districts – Central and Western, Wan Chai, and Eastern.

In this project, Professor Lam developed ways to process data from thermal cameras. This innovative approach would allow more reliable measurement of rodent activities compared to census baiting, and provides insights on their movement path and time points for more targeted control actions. To learn more, please read the media report in the South China Morning Post published on February 6, 2024.