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Two scholars from The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) have been honoured with the BOCHK Science and Technology Innovation Prize (STIP) 2024. Professor Siew Ng, Croucher Professor in the Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, and Assistant Dean (Development) of Faculty of Medicine; and Professor Chen Shih-Chi, Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Automation Engineering, were recognised for their outstanding scientific research achievements in the fields of “Life and Health” and “Advanced Manufacturing” respectively. Each awardee will receive a prize of HK$2 million.

CUHK Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Sham Mai-har said: “It is an honour for CUHK that two of our professors have been awarded the BOCHK Science and Technology Innovation Prize. This honour not only acknowledges their contributions but also underscores the University’s excellence in research. Professor Siew Ng’s groundbreaking research, which identified novel microbial signatures for inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract and autism spectrum disorders, has enabled early diagnosis and timely intervention of the conditions. Professor Chen Shih-Chi, on the other hand, has revolutionised the field of 3D printing with his innovative nanoscale 3D printer, achieving unprecedented speed and resolution across various materials. I look forward to seeing both professors continue to push the boundaries of innovation and contribute further to societal advancement.”

Professor Siew Ng: Breakthrough microbial diagnostic technology

Professor Ng is an internationally renowned clinician-scientist in gastrointestinal diseases and microbiome medicine. She has discovered disease-specific microbial signatures targeting inflammatory bowel disease and autism spectrum disorder, and she and her team have translated these signatures into clinically applicable non-invasive diagnostic tests. Her innovations address the diagnostic challenges for over eight million people with gastrointestinal symptoms and 75 million children with neurodevelopmental conditions. By enabling rapid and accurate diagnostics, her invention has significantly reduced the need for invasive procedures and lowered healthcare costs associated with delayed diagnoses.

Professor Ng’s technology was granted “Breakthrough Device Designation” by the United States Food and Drug Administration in 2024 to aid diagnosis of ASD in children at risk of developmental delay. Her inventions can also be adapted for broader applications in disease monitoring and predicting drug responses to various chronic conditions, including cognitive impairments, mental health disorders and cancer, which represents a significant step toward personalised, patient-centred medical care.

Professor Chen Shih-Chi: Pioneering nanoscale 3D printing technology

Professor Chen has made breakthroughs in the field of 3D micro-nano manufacturing. By leveraging spatial and temporal focusing techniques, along with digital holography, he has developed a suite of innovative methods to parallelise the 3D printing process, achieving significant improvements in printing speed (466 mm³/hour), resolution (20 – 100 nm) and yield, while reducing costs by 95%. His work applies the high-speed printing process to a wide range of materials, including metals, alloys, semiconductors, ceramics, polymers and bio-materials, through self-assembly without compromising resolution.

These advances enable the mass production of functional micro- and nanostructures, such as mechanical and optical metamaterials, micro-optics, bio-scaffolds, electrochemical interfaces and flexible electronics. Their applications span numerous industries, including electric transportation, healthcare, clean energy and water, computing and telecommunications.

About the BOCHK Science and Technology Innovation Prize

The BOCHK Science and Technology Innovation Prize (STIP), established by the Hong Kong Alliance of Technology and Innovation (HKATI) and sponsored by the Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited, is a non-governmental, merit-based award. The Prize aims to reward outstanding scientists and research teams who have made significant contributions to scientific and technological innovation, as well as the transformation of scientific and technological achievements in Hong Kong. The award is divided into five fields: Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, Life and Health, Advanced Manufacturing, Fintech, and New Materials and New Energy. The STIP will be awarded to five individuals or groups per year, with one awardee in each field. Each awardee, either individual or group, will receive a prize of HK$2 million and a trophy. The full list of STIP winners is available here.