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Strategic Partnership Award for Research Collaboration

(For CUHK Faculty Members)

Deadline: 31 March 2025, Monday

As part of the Chinese University of Hong Kong’s global engagement effort, the Strategic Partnership Award for Research Collaboration (SPARC) was established in 2021 to build joint research programmes with some of the University’s priority partners. The aim of SPARC is to seed new collaborative research programmes in the University’s strategic research areas which will be impactful and can be sustained through external funding sources for the next phase of their development.

 

Partners & Strategic Areas for Collaboration

(a) The current round of the Award supports collaborative research projects with priority partner institutions primarily in the four strategic research areas identified in CUHK 2025, which are China: Tradition and Modernity; Innovative Biomedicine; Information and Automation Technology; and Environment and Sustainability. Projects which do not fall within the four areas may also be considered. The priority partners for the current round of application include:

The priority partners for the current round of application include: 

  • Chulalongkorn University, Thailand
  • Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Germany
  • Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
  • National University of Singapore, Singapore
  • The University of Auckland, New Zealand
  • The University of Chicago, USA
  • The University of Manchester, UK
  • The University of Queensland, Australia
  • The University of Sydney, Australia
  • University College London, UK
  • University of California, Los Angeles, USA
  • University of California, San Diego, USA
  • University of Exeter, UK
  • University of Toronto, Canada
  • Utrecht University, the Netherlands

 

(b) Strong applications to work with other overseas renowned research-intensive institutions are also welcome. Ideally, the institutions should be ranked within the top 100 in major global university league tables.

 

Programme Guidelines and Forms

Applicants can access the guidelines for applicants, application form, proposed budget form, endorsement form and request for amendment form from the following links:

 

List of Awardees 

CUHK PI PI(s) at Collaborating Institution(s) Project
Prof. Eric Poon, Dept. of Sports Science & Physical Education Prof. Waris Wongpipit, Faculty of Education, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand Training for a Hotter Future: The Role of Exercise Intensity in Optimizing Heat Tolerance and Thermoregulation
Prof. Alan Li, Dept. of Biomedical Engineering Prof. Khoon Lim, School of Medical Sciences, The University of Sydney, Australia Harnessing In Situ Organoidogenesis in 3D Bioprinted Dynamic Hydrogels for Regeneration of Critical-Sized Bone Defects
Prof. Fei Chen, Dept. of Mechanical & Automation Engineering Prof. Dennis Hong, Samueli School of Engineering, Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Dept., University of California, Los Angeles, USA Learning Cross-embodiment Loco-manipulation from Human Demonstrations for Humanoid Robots
Prof. Qi Su, Dept. of Medicine & Therapeutics Prof. Xiaotao Shen, Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore Optimizing Fecal Microbiota Transplantation: AI-enhanced Donor-recipient Matching Using Gut Microbiome
Prof. Chi Chun Wong, Dept. of Medicine & Therapeutics Prof. Mark Molloy, School of Medical Sciences, The University of Sydney, Australia Integrated Metabolomic and Metagenomic Biomarkers for Early Colorectal Neoplasia Diagnosis across Diverse Patient Populations
Prof. Xiang Zhang, Dept. of Medicine & Therapeutics Prof. Rohit Loomba, Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, University of California, San Diego, USA Establishing a Lipidomic Biomarker Panel for Non-invasive Diagnosis of at-risk Metabolic-dysfunction Associated Steatohepatitis
Prof. Shannon Au, School of Life Sciences Prof. Takayuki Uchihashi, Dept. of Physics, Nagoya University, Japan Study of the Molecular Assembly of H. Pylori Virulence Factors by High-speed Atomic Force Microscopy Single Molecule Imaging
Prof. Fung Lee, Dept. of Geography & Resource Management Prof. Steve Yim, Director, Centre for Climate Change & Environmental Health, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore Investigating the Effect of Urban Polycentricity on Carbon Emissions in Southeast Asia
Prof. Qiming Zheng, Dept. of Geography & Resource Management Prof. Yiwen Zeng, Asian School of the Environment, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore; and

 

Dr. Sreekar Rachakonda, Centre for Biodiversity & Conservation Science, The University of Queensland, Australia

 Spatially Explicit Modeling of Reforestation Co-benefits with Geospatial AI Approaches
Prof. Pierre Landry, School of Governance & Policy Science Prof. Victor Shih, School of Global Policy & Strategy, University of California, San Diego, USA Frontiers in Chinese Text-as-Data Research


CUHK PI PI(s) at Collaborating Institution(s) Project
Prof. Yenan Sun, Dept. of Chinese Language & Literature Prof. Alan C. L. Yu, Dept. of Linguistics, The University of Chicago, USA Investigating Language Variation and Change in Cantonese: A Crowdsourcing Approach
Prof. Yue Chen, Dept. of Mechanical & Automation Engineering Prof. Yan Xu, School of Electrical & Electronic Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore Quantum Artificial Intelligence Empowering Low-Carbon Energy System Transition
Prof. Hongliang Ren, Dept. of Electronic Engineering Prof. Nassir Navab, Dept. of Computer Science, Technical University of Munich, Germany Multimodal Information Perception and Advanced Intelligent Robotic Control in Transcontinental Copilot Medical Procedures
Prof. Kin On Kwok, JC School of Public Health & Primary Care Prof. Wilson Tam, Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies (NUS Nursing), Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore Interdisciplinary Healthcare Equity Initiative: Leveraging Language Models for Biomedical Advancement
Prof. Swee Kuan Goh, Dept. of Physics Prof. Ariando Ariando, Dept. of Physics, National University of Singapore, Singapore Enhancing the Superconducting Transition Temperatures of Nickelate Superconductors by Hydrostatic Pressure
Prof. Jerome Hui, School of Life Sciences Prof. Jarkko Salojarvi, School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore A Common Mangrove Plant Species in Hong Kong and Singapore
Prof. Haiwei Luo, School of Life Sciences Dr. Jenny Hillman, Lecturer, Faculty of Science, The University of Auckland, New Zealand Next-generation Marine Probiotics for Mussel Reef Restoration
Prof. Francis Tam, Earth & Environmental Sciences Programme Prof. Matthew Collins, Dept. of Mathematics & Statistics, University of Exeter, UK Novel Earth System Model Diagnostics for Improving Tropical Climate Projections
Prof. Zihan Kan, Dept. of Geography & Resource Management Prof. Jue Wang, Dept. of Geography, Geomatics & Environment, University of Toronto, Canada GreenScan: Unveiling Urban Greenspace Exposure with Street View and LiDAR for Environmental Health Insights
Prof. Xingcheng Lu, Dept. of Geography & Resource Management Prof. Pannee Cheewinsiriwat, Dept. of Geography, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand Investigating the Effects of Biomass Burning on Air Quality and Associated Health Risks in Thailand

CUHK PI PI(s) at Collaborating Institution(s) Project
Prof. Linda Gu, School of Biomedical Sciences Prof. Shuo-Chien Ling, Dept. of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore Exploring the Causes of Selective Neuronal Vulnerability in Genetic Neurodegenerative Disease
Prof. Hannah Hui, School of Biomedical Sciences Prof. Kerry Martin Loomes, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Auckland Screening of Compounds Enhancing Mitochondria Function
Prof. Jacque Ip, School of Biomedical Sciences Prof. Ryan K.C. Yuen, Dept. of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto Genomics & Functional Dissection of Autism Spectrum Disorder
Prof. Kathy Lui, Dept. of Chemical Pathology Prof. Chuan He, Dept. of Chemistry, The University of Chicago Endothelial m6A mRNA Modification in Vasculogenesis & Angiogenesis in Vivo
Prof. Ying Wang, Dept. of Chemistry Dr. Ziyun Wang, School of Chemical Science, The University of Auckland Green Chemical Production from CO2 Electrolysis at Industrial Relevant Conditions
Prof. Man Nin Chan, Earth & Environmental Sciences Programme Prof. Arthur Chan, Dept. of Chemical Engineering & Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto Understanding the Behaviour of Nanoplastic Particles in the Atmosphere
Prof. Carol Cheung, Dept. of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences Prof. Sobha Sivaprasad, Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, University College London Using Advanced Deep Learning-based Image-to-image Translation Techniques to Assess Diabetic Macular Ischemia on Fundus Photographs
Prof. Kenny Ng, Dept. of Physics Prof. Andrew Hillier, Dept. of Mathematics & Statistics, University of Exeter Solar Gamma Rays as a New Probe of Magnetohydrodynamics in the Solar Atmosphere
Prof. Helene Fung, Dept. of Psychology Prof. Nancy A. Pachana, School of Psychology, The University of Queensland How to Motivate Preparation for Aging? A Cross-Cultural Evaluation on Virtual Reality Age Progression Interventions in HK & Australia
Prof. Yuying Tong, Dept. of Sociology Prof. Qiushi Feng, Dept. of Sociology & Anthropology, National University of Singapore Low Fertility & Its Consequences in East Asia Societies


CUHK PI PI(s) at Collaborating Institution(s) Project
Prof. Zhenguang Cai, Dept. of Linguistics & Modern Languages Prof. Joseph Devlin, Dept. of Experimental Psychology, University College London Neurocognitive Mechanisms of Character Amnesia in Chinese Handwriting
Prof. Wan Ki Wendy Lee, Dept. of Music Prof. Norbert Palej, Faculty of Music, University of Toronto New Techniques in Global Collaboration for Musical Performance
Prof. Xiankai Sun, Dept. of Electronic Engineering Prof. Shayan Mookherjea, Dept. of Electrical & Computer Engineering, University of California, San Diego Photonic Integrated Devices & Circuits for Telecommunication & Quantum Applications
Prof. Jun Yu, Dept. of Medicine & Therapeutics Prof. Housheng Hansen He, Dept. of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto m6A Modifications in Gastrointestinal Cancer
Prof. Chi Fai Michael Tong, Dept. of Otorhinolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery Prof. Martin Birchall, ENT Surgery, University College London Development of NK-cell-based-therapy for Patients with Advanced EBV-positive Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma
Prof. Hon Fai Chan, School of Biomedical Sciences Dr. Mark Allenby, School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Queensland Mechanically Programmable Cell Culture Platforms for Cell & Tissue Modeling
Prof. John Anthony Rudd, School of Biomedical Sciences Prof. Peng Du, Faculty of Engineering, The University of Auckland Pharmacological Investigation of Pacemaker Activity in Gestation & Menstrual Cycles
Prof. Chunshan Song, Dept. of Chemistry Prof. Junwang Tang, Dept. of Chemical Engineering, University College London Integrating Plasma & Photocatalytic CO2 Conversion to Chemicals & Fuels
Prof. Jianfang Wang, Dept. of Physics Prof. Feng Ryan Wang, Dept. of Chemical Engineering, University College London In Situ Probing Photocatalytic Nitrogen Fixation
Prof. Benoit Thibodeau, School of Life Sciences Prof. John Pandolfi, School of Biological Science, The University of Queensland; and

 

Dr. Ruth Thurstan, College of Life & Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter

 Ecosystem-wide Impacts of North Atlantic Fisheries: A Paleoenvironmental Database Approach
Prof. Ying Sylvia He, Dept. of Geography & Resource Management Prof. Dick Ettema, Dept. of Human Geography & Spatial Planning, Utrecht University;

 

Prof. Steven Farber, Dept. of Human Geography, University of Toronto; and

 

Dr. Sui Tao, School of Geography, Beijing Normal University

 Evaluating Urban Transport Equity Using Big & Small Data

 

Enquiries

For enquiries, please contact Ms. Olivia Kwok, Office of Academic Links, on 3943-1315 or at oliviakwok@cuhk.edu.hk.

 

Last updated on January 2025