Seven scholars from City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) have been selected for the inaugural Overseas Research Fellowship Scheme (ORFS), securing a total of over HK$2.14 million in funding from the Research Grants Council (RGC). Among the awardees, Professor Dai Liang, Professor Lau Kai-chung and Professor Li Xiao are from the College of Science (CSCI).
Professor Dai Liang, Associate Professor in the Department of Physics, previously worked as a research scientist at the Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART) and as a postdoctoral fellow at Indiana University. His research applies multi-scale modelling, machine learning, and statistical mechanics in soft matter physics and biophysics, with close collaboration with experimental groups. Professor Dai will initiate two research projects applying AI in protein design with scholars from Nanyang Technological University and the National University of Singapore, laying the foundation for future biomedical advances and innovative materials technologies.
Professor Lau Kai-chung, Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry, integrates state-of-the-art computational resources with advanced theoretical methods to address complex problems in chemistry. His research uses ab initio theory to elucidate reactivity and reaction mechanisms in organic and organometallic systems, while also employing coupled-cluster methods to predict the thermochemistry of reactive and transient chemical species. During his visit to Washington State University, Professor Lau aims to explore how machine learning can accelerate fundamental research in heavy-element chemistry and contribute to the design of next-generation functional materials and energy-related technologies.
Professor Li Xiao, Associate Professor in the Department of Physics, explores novel phases of matter arising from the intricate interplay of topology, disorder and electron–electron interactions. His current work centres on correlated and topological electronic phases in moiré heterostructures and multilayer graphene. A defining feature of his work is the close integration of many-body theory with state-of-the-art experiment. Professor Li will begin a six-month research collaboration with scholars from the University of Manchester on graphene-based moiré and multilayer systems, strengthening Hong Kong’s capabilities in quantum materials and condensed matter physics.
To promote the internationalisation of universities funded by the University Grants Committee (UGC) and to encourage university faculty to visit overseas institutions/units for immersive collaboration experiences, the RGC launched the Overseas Research Fellowship Scheme on a pilot basis. From the 2026/27 to 2028/29 academic years, 40 fellowships will be awarded annually to mid-career researchers, supporting their work on research projects or enabling them to undergo research-related professional development in overseas institutional laboratories, research units or clinical settings.
This article originated from CityUHK News Centre.