{{'Newsletter' | t}}

Ho Wan Howard Chan – a year 3 PhD student from the Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy and Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme recipient – has been awarded the Sir Edward Youde Memorial Fellowship in March 2024, one of the most prestigious fellowship schemes for research postgraduates in Hong Kong.

Below, Howard shares his recent achievements and experience at the 49th International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva.

As a Bachelor of Pharmacy graduate from HKU and a registered pharmacist in Hong Kong, during my undergraduate studies and pre-registration internships I have witnessed the devastating impacts of COVID-19 and other respiratory diseases, including influenza and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, on patients and their caregivers. Fascinated by the potential of nanotechnology in disease treatment, my PhD research focuses on integrating the merits of nanotechnology and inhaled drug delivery by developing inhalable nanoagglomerate dry powders for superior pulmonary drug delivery, with the goal of enhancing the treatment efficacy and safety profile of medications for treating respiratory conditions. 

I am deeply honoured to be awarded the prestigious Sir Edward Youde Memorial Fellowship . The award affirms the impact and translational potential of my research and motivates me to continue my search for personalised, effective treatments that improve patients’ quality of life and contribute to advancing the pharmaceutical industry in Hong Kong. 

I was also privileged to be awarded the inaugural HKU Research Postgraduate Student Innovation Award 2022/23. This provided me with a HK$50,000 research grant to further extend my PhD research and develop an integrated continuous manufacturing platform for inhalable nanoagglomerate dry powders to address challenges in manufacturing scale-up of inhalable nanomedicines and shorten the drug development cycle, ultimately bridging the translational gap between bench and bedside. The successful completion of the project led to not only the publication of an original research article in the International Journal of Pharmaceutics, a top 10% journal in the category of Pharmacology and Pharmacy, but also patent applications in the US and China.

As part of the HKU delegation, I showcased this invention at the 49th International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva (IEIG), held in Geneva, Switzerland, from 17 to 21 April 2024. Unlike conventional academic conferences, the IEIG is dedicated exclusively to inventions and innovations. Instead of presentations to fellow researchers about the detailed science, I pitched the invention to members of the International Jury and the public on its unique features and commercialisation potential. I was also able to make connections with investors and industry professionals who were interested in our invention, and it was eye-opening and inspiring to witness the various innovations exhibited for various applications. 

I am extremely grateful to my primary supervisor Professor Aviva Chow from the Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy and HKU for their support throughout my PhD studies and nomination for the Sir Edward Youde Memorial Fellowship, and financial support from the HK PhD Fellowship Scheme and the HKU Presidential PhD Scholarship for covering my travel expenses to Geneva to participate in the 49th IEIG. 

Howard (left) receiving the Sir Edward Youde Memorial Fellowship 2024.

Howard (right) with his primary supervisor, Professor Aviva Chow (left), at the Sir Edward Youde Memorial Fund Awards Presentation Ceremony.

Howard (left) and his supervisor Professor Aviva Chow (right) at the Annual Research Postgraduate Symposium in March 2024.
Howard’s research project won the HKU Research Postgraduate Student Innovation Award 2022/23.

Howard showcasing his award-winning project at the 49th International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva (IEIG), held in Geneva, Switzerland.

A team of talents from the HKU Advanced Biomedical Instrumental Centre participating in the 49th IEIG.