An expert in medicinal botany and resources science of Chinese medicinal materials, Professor Chen Hubiao joined the Division in 2006. Adding to his acumen as an acclaimed researcher, he has demonstrated an excellence in supervision via recruiting and nourishing talented postgraduate students to new heights in academic accomplishments, as well as career and personal developments.

Focusing on exploring the pharmacodynamic material basis of herbal medicines, Professor Chen’s team actively collaborates with various research groups, both internally and externally, on nine cross-disciplinary projects, adding major achievements to the Division.

Professor Chen motivates his research postgraduates (RPGs) to work towards a common goal, while allowing room for individual growth at the same time. He assigns duties according to their interests and ability. They feel encouraged to propose investigation topics, design experiments, interpret data obtained, and draft papers based on findings of their own. This builds confidence for their future careers as capable and innovative scientists of tomorrow.

His RPGs have brought their professional knowledge on bringing benefits to the society. Among six PhD graduates under Professor Chen’s supervision, five have advanced in their academic careers in universities and professional institutions in both Hong Kong and mainland China, with one joining the HKSAR Government as a pharmacologist.

Under Professor Chen’s mentorship, one PhD student cooperated with another local institution on her thesis, leading to the filing of two patents and the publication of a high quality paper. This student is currently a Research Assistant Professor with success in securing three grants in just two years, including projects funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC), General Research Fund (GRF) and Innovation and Technology Fund of Hong Kong (ITF).

Over the last five years, Professor Chen and his team have secured a total of eight external grants, including one General Research Fund (GRF), one Health and Medicine Research Fund (HMRF), two NSFC and four ITF projects. In addition, seven patents were filed, among which four were granted.

His students’ names are no stranger to top and impactful journals, including the Protein and Cell, Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B. One of the publications was even selected as the cover story of Medicinal Research Reviews and highly cited on the web of science.

Professor Chen is also keen to provide undergraduate students with opportunity to work at his laboratory under his grants and the University Undergraduate Research Programme. He believes it is important to let undergraduates consolidate their knowledge and skills acquired in class, and cultivate their interests in pursuing academic careers. A number of undergraduate students have successfully published their findings. Among them, some have decided to further study at prominent institutions worldwide.

Also, Professor Chen serves as the Programme Director of Bachelor of Pharmacy (Hon) in Chinese Medicine since 2012.

In recognition of Professor Chen’s tremendous dedication and enthusiasm in nurturing young scientists in the field of Chinese medicine, the Selection Committee has no reservation in honouring him with the President’s Award for Outstanding Performance in Research Supervision.