CityUHK oceanographer honoured with SETAC Founders Award; first Hong Kong scholar and second in Asia to receive the lifetime achievement prize
Professor Wang Wen-xiong, Chair Professor of Environmental Toxicology in the School of Energy and Environment (SEE) and TUYF Chair Professor in Oceanography at City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK), has been bestowed the SETAC Founders Award. This is the highest individual honour presented by the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC), in recognition of his extraordinary achievements and foundational contributions to the fields of metal ecotoxicology, nanomaterials and microplastics in marine systems over more than 30 years.
The SETAC Founders Award is a premier lifetime achievement honour in the field of environmental science. Its prestige is often compared to the highest career awards presented by the American Chemical Society and the Royal Society of Chemistry. The award is reserved for scientists whose outstanding academic work has made a profound and lasting impact on the development of environmental sciences.
Since the award’s inception in 1980, Professor Wang is the first scholar from Hong Kong and only the second in Asia to receive this distinction, underscoring his pre-eminent leadership in the global academic community.
Professor Wang’s research utilises cutting-edge bioimaging technologies to study the ecotoxicology and biogeochemistry of trace metals in aquatic systems. He is a pioneer in developing quantitative models that predict the risks of microplastics to marine life and has developed innovative techniques for tracking microplastic transport within living organisms.
In recognition of his academic stature, Professor Wang is an Elected Fellow of the SETAC, the European Academy of Sciences and Arts and the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology. He has also been consistently ranked among the world’s top 2% of scientists by Stanford University. His research excellence is further evidenced by major grants secured in 2024, including the "Key Project" under the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) and the Research Grants Council Senior Research Fellow Scheme, totalling over HK$10 million.
Mr Bart Bosveld, Global Executive Director of the SETAC, highly commended Professor Wang’s dedication, noting that his research exhibits both scientific depth and global significance. "Professor Wang has made foundational contributions to metal ecotoxicology and microplastics in marine systems," said Mr Bosveld. "His findings have not only advanced the discipline but have also provided vital scientific evidence for shaping water quality criteria in Hong Kong."
Expressing his gratitude, Professor Wang said, "I am deeply honoured to receive this award, which belongs equally to my research team and partners. Supported by CityUHK’s vibrant research environment, we will continue to explore the impacts of environmental pollution on marine ecosystems, transforming our research into a force for protecting our planet and contributing to global sustainable development goals."
CityUHK is dedicated to promoting interdisciplinary research to address global challenges. Through world-class facilities, such as the State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Health, the University attracts top-tier talent to seek breakthroughs in environmental protection and climate change. Professor Wang’s international honour once again reaffirms CityUHK’s leading position in driving research excellence and implementing sustainable development.