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Professor Jonathan Choi Chung-hang from the Department of Biomedical Engineering at The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) has received the Hong Kong Engineering Science and Technology Award (HKEST Award) 2024-25 from the Hong Kong Academy of Engineering (HKAE) for his accomplishments in and contributions to bionanomaterials and nanomedicine.

CUHK’s Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Sham Mai-har expressed her heartfelt appreciation for Professor Choi’s impressive achievements in nanomedicine. She said: “Professor Choi’s unwavering dedication to advancing bionanotechnology has resulted in significant breakthroughs in drug delivery systems and the treatment of complex diseases. His pioneering work has not only set new standards for research in Hong Kong but has also made substantial contributions to the global scientific community. CUHK remains committed to supporting groundbreaking research that drives clinical translation and enhances the quality of life.”

Professor Choi said that he was deeply honoured by the recognition and that he and his team would continue to advance bionanotechnology for a future of safe and effective therapeutics. 

Professor Choi inaugurated the first laboratory in nanoparticle-based drug delivery and bio-nano interactions in Hong Kong in 2013 and co-founded CUHK’s Department of Biomedical Engineering (BME), the first BME department in Hong Kong, in 2017. He has made important contributions to bionanomaterials, nanomedicine, bio–nano interactions, and drug delivery. His fundamental investigations into how engineered bionanomaterials interact with the body across the biological length scales of organ, tissue, cell, organelle and receptor have enabled innovative strategies for delivering nanotherapeutics to challenging disease sites, such as psoriatic skin, atherosclerotic plaques, fibrotic kidneys and degenerative brains. His cross-disciplinary research integrates expertise from science, engineering, and medicine.

About the Hong Kong Academy of Engineering and the Hong Kong Engineering Science and Technology Award

The Hong Kong Academy of Engineering (HKAE), comprising leaders of the Hong Kong engineering community, aspires to play a leading role in promoting the development of engineering science and technology in Hong Kong, including nurturing local talents and professionals for a vibrant innovation and technology industry. With the support of the Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC) of the HKSAR, the Academy launched the Hong Kong Engineering Science and Technology Award (HKEST Award) in 2022 to recognise young scientists, engineers and technologists from diverse disciplines who have excelled in developing creative solutions to problems through research, development, innovation and entrepreneurship, and have made significant advancements to the betterment of society.