News & Stories

Explore the latest updates, advancements and accomplishments within our community.

Results of GRF/ECS 2026/27

Results of GRF/ECS 2026/27

In the 2026/27 results of grants from the Research Grants Council’s General Research Fund (GRF) and Early Career Scheme (ECS), five of our GRF/ECS proposals were funded.

1 July 2026
Research team led by Prof. Jufang He discovers novel compound, charting new course for treating psychiatric and neurological disorders

Research team led by Prof. Jufang He discovers novel compound, charting new course for treating psychiatric and neurological disorders

Scientists at CityUHK achieved a breakthrough in recent months with the discovery a novel compound, named MF-8. The compound and its associated pharmaceuticals demonstrate significant potential to provide safer, more effective treatments for psychiatric and neurological disorders, such as memory impairment, depression and anxiety, while effectively mitigating the side effects associated with existing medications.

30 March 2026
Neural Circuits in Health and Disease Conference 2025

Neural Circuits in Health and Disease Conference 2025

The Department of Neuroscience (NS) at City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) successfully hosted the Neural Circuits in Health and Disease Conference 2025 from 8 to 9 December 2025 at our CityUHK campus. This conference was co-organised by the CityUHK’s College of Biomedicine and Department of Neuroscience, Hong Kong Society of Neurosciences, and the Neuroscience Research Centre at The University of Hong Kong (HKU).

16 January 2026
Prof. Wing Ho Yung awarded NSFC/RGC Joint Research Scheme fund for 2025/26

Prof. Wing Ho Yung awarded NSFC/RGC Joint Research Scheme fund for 2025/26

A collaborative research project led by Prof. Wing Ho Yung, Chair Professor from the Department of Neuroscience (NS), has successfully secured funding under the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC)/Research Grants Council (RGC) Joint Research Scheme (JRS) 2025/26, with a grant of HK$1,218,557.

15 January 2026
Congratulations to Prof. Geoffrey C. Y. Lau on receiving the 2025/26 Collaborative Research Fund

Congratulations to Prof. Geoffrey C. Y. Lau on receiving the 2025/26 Collaborative Research Fund

The Department of Neuroscience is delighted to announce that Prof. Geoffrey C. Y. Lau has been awarded the 2025/26 Collaborative Research Fund (CRF) for close to HK$8M ...

9 January 2026
Welcome on Board – Presidential Assistant Professor Prof. Qihong Lu

Welcome on Board – Presidential Assistant Professor Prof. Qihong Lu

Professor Qihong Lu recently joined the Department of Neuroscience as Assistant Professor underthe Presidential Assistant Professors Scheme ...

8 January 2026
Prof. Kwok On Lai received the 2025 Healthy Longevity Catalyst Award (Hong Kong)

Prof. Kwok On Lai received the 2025 Healthy Longevity Catalyst Award (Hong Kong)

CityuHK achieved another breakthrough in research excellence, recently securing three major awards in the 2025 Healthy Longevity Catalyst Awards (Hong Kong), organised by the RGC in collaboration with the National Academy of Medicine (NAM) of the US.

21 October 2025
Results of GRF/ECS 2025—26

Results of GRF/ECS 2025—26

In the 2025—26 results of grants from the Research Grants Council’s General Research Fund (GRF) and Early Career Scheme (ECS), three of our GRF/ECS proposals were funded.

30 June 2025
NS Annual Retreat 2025

NS Annual Retreat 2025

The NS Department held its annual retreat on 14 May 2025 at the Harbour Plaza Metropolis, providing a collaborative platform for faculty discussions on departmental initiatives.

15 May 2025
NS Team Shines as Part of CityUHK’s Success at the 50th Geneva Invention Exhibition

NS Team Shines as Part of CityUHK’s Success at the 50th Geneva Invention Exhibition

CityUHK researchers excelled at the 50th International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva (IEIG), securing 33 awards. Their achievements include one Special Prize, five Gold Medals with Congratulations of the Jury, nine Gold Medals, 16 Silver Medals, and two Bronze Medals. This remarkable success highlights CityUHK’s global leadership in high-calibre research and innovation.

25 April 2025
NS faculty members contributed to CityUHK’s highest funding record of over HK$60 million for interdisciplinary research

NS faculty members contributed to CityUHK’s highest funding record of over HK$60 million for interdisciplinary research

CityUHK has achieved new milestones in research, with 10 outstanding scholars receiving funding from the RGC’s CRF, totaling over HK$60 million—marking a record high for the University. These 10 interdisciplinary and inter-institutional research initiatives cover various cutting-edge academic fields, including biomedical sciences and neuroscience, robotics and automation, environmental science and resource recovery, artificial intelligence and big data, and materials science and energy, fully demonstrating CityUHK’s strengths in research and innovation.

18 March 2025
Prof. Eddie Ma awarded Research Impact Fund 2024/25

Prof. Eddie Ma awarded Research Impact Fund 2024/25

Congratulations to Prof. Eddie Ma on receiving the Research Grants Council (RGC) Research Impact Fund (RIF) for 2024/25. His project, titled “Development and Validation of Novel Therapeutic Agents for Glaucoma Treatment through Integrated Preclinical and Clinical Studies with a Drug Repurposing Approach” has secured funding of HK$8.71 million.

9 January 2025
Two NS faculty members awarded RGC Collaborative Research Fund (CRF) 2024/25

Two NS faculty members awarded RGC Collaborative Research Fund (CRF) 2024/25

Congratulations to Prof. Jufang He and Prof. Jessica Liu on being awarded the 2024/25 Research Grants Council (RGC) Collaborative Research Fund (CRF). Their success showcases our faculty members’ exceptional research expertise and commitment to advancing the frontiers of knowledge.

9 January 2025
Prof. Jessica Liu awarded funding under NSFC/RGC Collaborative Research Scheme

Prof. Jessica Liu awarded funding under NSFC/RGC Collaborative Research Scheme

Three research projects by City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) outstanding scholars have been awarded funding under the 2024/25 National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) and the Research Grants Council (RGC) Collaborative Research Scheme (CRS), amounting to over HK$8.8 million. The number of funded projects for this exercise at CityUHK was tied for the highest in Hong Kong.

15 November 2024
Prof. Jessica Liu awarded ITF grant

Prof. Jessica Liu awarded ITF grant

Congratulations to Prof. Jessica Liu, who has just been awarded the Innovation and Technology Fund (ITF) grant for HK$1,393,800 under the Partnership Research Programme (PRP) in collaboration with Lucy Biotech Limited for “Development of a Novel Permeable Transcriptional Factor System for Generating Personalized Neural Stem Cell in Regenerative Medicine”.

31 October 2024
PhD Student Junmin Ren Leads Taikangnuo Biotechnology to Victory in HK Tech 300 Competition

PhD Student Junmin Ren Leads Taikangnuo Biotechnology to Victory in HK Tech 300 Competition

Taikangnuo Biotechnology Limited, one of the winning start-ups in the HK Tech 300 National Start-up Competition, was established by our PhD student, Junmin Ren. The company aims to innovate in the biotechnology sector, contributing to advancements in health and wellness through cutting-edge research and development.

4 September 2024
Welcome to our new Associate Professor (Presidential Assistant Professors Scheme)

Welcome to our new Associate Professor (Presidential Assistant Professors Scheme)

Professor Christy Hung recently joined the Department of Neuroscience as Associate Professor under the Presidential Assistant Professors Scheme. She received her PhD in neuroscience from the University of Cambridge after completing her undergraduate studies in Biochemistry at the University of Hong Kong.

22 August 2024
Welcome to our new Assistant Professor

Welcome to our new Assistant Professor

Professor Yuxiang Sun recently joined the Department of Neuroscience as Assistant Professor. He received his BSc in Biotechnology from Anhui University and PhD in Biophysics from University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, where his research uncovered the disruption of chromosomal architecture at the COX2 locus, sensitizing lung cancer cells to radiotherapy. He completed postdoctoral training at UC Riverside, focusing on RNA modifications in trinucleotide repeat expansion disorders, employing molecular and cell biology, neuroscience, and mass spectrometry-based bioanalytical chemistry.

22 August 2024
Results of GRF/ECS 2024–25

Results of GRF/ECS 2024–25

The RGC announced the funding results of the GRF and the ECS for 2024/25 on 27 June 2024. In this round, five research projects led by faculty members of the Department of Neuroscience (NS) were awarded funding, totaling over HK$7.3 million after a rigorous review process.

4 July 2024
Can animals count? Neuroscientists at CityUHK and CUHK resolve long-standing debate

Can animals count? Neuroscientists at CityUHK and CUHK resolve long-standing debate

Research co-led by Prof. Yung Wing-ho (Cityu) and Prof. Ke Ya (CUHK) has made a ground-breaking discovery regarding number sense in animals by confirming the existence of discrete number sense in rats, offering a crucial animal model for investigating the neural basis of numerical ability and disability in humans.

16 April 2024
CityU neuroscientists unveil the novel therapeutic potential of Metaxalone for treating nerve injuries

CityU neuroscientists unveil the novel therapeutic potential of Metaxalone for treating nerve injuries

Traumatic injuries to the peripheral nervous system are a leading cause of disability, especially patients with proximal peripheral nerve injury. It’s hard to regenerate and regain normal function in a short period, and it often leads to sensory and motor dysfunction, which greatly affects the patient’s quality of life. Recently, a research team led by City University of Hong Kong (CityU) neuroscientists found that metaxalone treatment accelerates nerve repair and function recovery comparable to immediate treatment, offering a highly relevant clinical strategy.

7 March 2024
Neuroscientist receives Shenzhen Science & Technology Research Grant for Groundbreaking Neuroscience Study

Neuroscientist receives Shenzhen Science & Technology Research Grant for Groundbreaking Neuroscience Study

Professor Alan C. C. Fung has been awarded the Shenzhen Science & Technology Research Grants – General Grant for Basic Research in support of his pioneering research project titled “Impacts of Astrocyte-Driven Modulation of the Variation of Neurotransmitter Release Probabilities on the Dynamics of Neural Networks”.

6 March 2024
Staff Promotion in Department of Neuroscience

Staff Promotion in Department of Neuroscience

We are delighted to announce the promotion of Professor Kwok On LAI to Associate Professor in Department of Neuroscience, with effect from 1 July 2024.

26 February 2024
CityU neuroscientists uncover the therapeutic potential of low-dose ionizing radiation for traumatic brain injury and ischemic stroke

CityU neuroscientists uncover the therapeutic potential of low-dose ionizing radiation for traumatic brain injury and ischemic stroke

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) and ischemic stroke are major public health concerns and leading causes of death and disability worldwide. A research team led by CityU neuroscientists recently discovered that low-dose ionizing radiation (LDIR), such as X-ray irradiation, can reduce lesion size and reverse motor deficits in TBI and ischemic stroke mice, demonstrating that LDIR may be a promising therapeutic strategy for TBI and stroke patients.

26 January 2024
Welcome to our new Associate Professor

Welcome to our new Associate Professor

Professor Zhitao Hu recently joined the Department of Neuroscience as Associate Professor. He received his BSc and PhD from Huazhong University of Science and Technology. He was previously an Associate Professor at Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland. Professor Hu’s research focuses on the molecular and cellular mechanisms of synaptic transmission, with the long-term goal being to understand how synaptic transmission and synaptic plasticity are regulated by the synaptic release machinery, and how synaptic dysfunction leads to neurological disorders such as autism and epilepsy.

11 January 2024
A small molecule blocks aversive memory formation, providing a potential treatment target for depression

A small molecule blocks aversive memory formation, providing a potential treatment target for depression

Neuroscientists from CityU recently discovered a small molecule that can effectively alleviate stress-induced depressive symptoms in mice by preventing aversive memory formation with a lower dosage, offering a new direction for developing anti-depressants in the future.

16 November 2023
Staff Promotion in Department of Neuroscience

Staff Promotion in Department of Neuroscience

We are delighted to announce that promotion of Professor Jan Schnjpp to Chair Professor in Department of Neuroscience.

1 September 2023
Genetically modified neural stem cells showing promising therapeutic potential for spinal cord injury

Genetically modified neural stem cells showing promising therapeutic potential for spinal cord injury

A major advance in treating spinal cord injuries by using genetically modified human neural stem cells has been made by a team co-led by CityU and the University of Hong Kong.

16 August 2023
RGC rewards top CityU scientists for timely, applicable research

RGC rewards top CityU scientists for timely, applicable research

Professor Jufang He, one of the four academics from CityU, has been successful under the Senior Research Fellow Scheme and the Research Fellow Scheme (2023/24) established by RGC.

9 August 2023
Staff Promotions in Department of Neuroscience

Staff Promotions in Department of Neuroscience

We are delighted to announce the staff promotions of Professor Eddie Ma and Professor Geoffrey Lau in Department of Neuroscience.

1 July 2023
Small molecule offers great therapeutic potential for restoring vision

Small molecule offers great therapeutic potential for restoring vision

Video featuring Prof. Eddie Ma’s lab research on “small molecule offers great therapeutic potential for restoring vision”.

22 May 2023
Welcome to our new Chair Professor

Welcome to our new Chair Professor

Professor Wing Ho Yung recently joined the Department of Neuroscience as Chair Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience. Professor Yung received his BSc and MPhil from The Chinese University of Hong Kong and DPhil from the University of Oxford.

8 May 2023
Small molecule offers great therapeutic potential for restoring vision

Small molecule offers great therapeutic potential for restoring vision

Researchers at CityU have identified and demonstrated for the first time a therapeutic small molecule, M1, that can restore the visual function in the mammalian central nervous system (CNS), offering hope for patients with optic nerve damage such as glaucoma-related vision loss.

17 January 2023
Research Team co-led by Dr Geoffrey Lau discovers a new drug candidate for epilepsy treatment

Research Team co-led by Dr Geoffrey Lau discovers a new drug candidate for epilepsy treatment

A research team co-led by Dr Geoffrey Lau has recently identified and developed a new drug for treating temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE), which is one of the most common types of epilepsy worldwide. Although patients can be treated by existing medications, many of them remain unresponsive to drug treatment. Hence, new medications and drug targets are needed.

13 December 2022
Hong Kong Brain Bee Competition finalists visited labs of CityU Neuroscience

Hong Kong Brain Bee Competition finalists visited labs of CityU Neuroscience

The Department of Neuroscience is committed to share the latest advance in brain research with the bright minds of our next generation. A laboratory visit for secondary school students was hosted by NS on 28 July 2022, during which finalists of the Hong Kong Brain Bee Competition 2022 have learned about the latest development of epilepsy research and neuronal imaging.

3 August 2022
How an internal body clock keeps roundworms free from constipation

How an internal body clock keeps roundworms free from constipation

A team co-led by Prof. Qiang LIU has identified a key mechanism of a biological clock that ensures roundworms stay regular by defecating at steady intervals.

13 July 2022
CityU scientists reveal new neurocircuitry essential for animals to sense environmental cues of imminent danger

CityU scientists reveal new neurocircuitry essential for animals to sense environmental cues of imminent danger

Inborn defensive behaviours, such as flight, freeze and fight, are crucial for animals to survive in a dangerous environment in nature. Neuroscientists from CityU recently revealed the essential neurocircuitry that is fundamental for animals to perceive and integrate environmental cues to initate defensive behaviour.

5 May 2022
Graphene-electrode array for brain map remodeling of the cortical surface

Graphene-electrode array for brain map remodeling of the cortical surface

A person’s cortical map is shaped by their early development and experiences. Study of such maps can help identify and treat sensory disorders. Existing techniques for brain mapping require placement of penetrating electrodes which is time-consuming and risks brain damage. Mr Minseok Lee and Dr Sungchil Yang from City University of Hong Kong and colleagues made arrays of electrodes using graphene membranes and constructed sensory maps of rats and mice by placing these arrays directly on the cortical surface.

1 October 2021
CityU excels on global top scientists list

CityU excels on global top scientists list

According to metrics compiled by Stanford University, over 140 CityU faculty members are listed among the top 2% of the world’s most highly cited scientists, reflecting the high academic standard of our faculty and our excellent research performance.

15 September 2021
Animal experiments demonstrated the need for new cochlear implant design for localising sound directions

Animal experiments demonstrated the need for new cochlear implant design for localising sound directions

Cochlear implants help deaf patients in hearing, yet the current technology remains far from perfect. A research team led by scientists from CityU has shown that neonatally deafened rats could be trained with cochlear implant stimulation to restore the ability to locate the directions of sound origins. The finding implies that shortcomings in current cochlear implant technology, rather than the lack of auditory experience in early childhood, maybe the reason why cochlear implant patients usually have poor spatial hearing performance.

19 August 2021
CityU wins 12 awards at Inventions Geneva Evaluation Days, the highest number among all universities in Hong Kong

CityU wins 12 awards at Inventions Geneva Evaluation Days, the highest number among all universities in Hong Kong

Researchers from CityU won the highest number of awards among all universities in Hong Kong at IGED 2021, including a Gold Medal with Congratulations of the Jury, five Gold Medals, three Silver Medals and three Bronze Medals, demonstrating the excellence of the research carried out at CityU.

18 May 2021
Novel Neural Prosthetic Devices for Neurodegenerative Diseases

Novel Neural Prosthetic Devices for Neurodegenerative Diseases

Dr Eddie Ma Chi-him is currently developing novel neural prosthetic devices that could improve patients’ motor symptoms and improve their quality of life. Neurodegenerative diseases occur when neurons in the brain or peripheral nervous system lose function over time and ultimately die.

5 May 2021
Discovering the Neural Mechanisms Between Chronic Pain and Cognitive Deficits

Discovering the Neural Mechanisms Between Chronic Pain and Cognitive Deficits

Professor Li Ying has achieved breakthroughs by unveiling the secrets of brain molecules and tissue – astrocytes and myelin – in the central nervous system. By identifying the roles of astrocyte lactate signalling and myelin plasticity in circuitry synchrony, he has shed light on how fundamental cognitive functions, including learning, memory and decision-making, could be rescued and enhanced, especially for patients suffering from chronic pain.

3 May 2021
From Memory Formation to Treatment of Brain Disorders

From Memory Formation to Treatment of Brain Disorders

How memories are formed has long been a fundamental question for neuroscientists. Studies by Professor He Jufang, Wong Chun Hong Chair Professor of Translational Neuroscience in the Department of Neuroscience and Department of Biomedical Sciences, have shed light on the crucial role of a key neuromodulator, called cholecystokinin (CCK), in memory forming in the neocortex.

28 April 2021
Vision Impossible!

Vision Impossible!

Seeing is believing, they say, but we can’t always believe what we see. This was a key takeaway at a fascinating talk by Professor Sir Colin Blakemore, an expert in neuroscience, at CityU on 19 November.

26 Nov 2020
Life in the brain lane – neuroscience for a new era

Life in the brain lane – neuroscience for a new era

Powering up positive change for a better society is an overriding driver at CityU. By forging a highly collaborative, multidisciplinary hub for the study of the brain and the central nervous system, our new Department of Neuroscience will contribute to professional education and translational research for improving people’s lives.

1 September 2020
Professor Bruce Ransom sets up new Neuroscience department at CityU

Professor Bruce Ransom sets up new Neuroscience department at CityU

Professor Bruce Ransom, renowned American neurologist and an avid mineral collector, had planned to study geology. But when he accidentally stumbled into neurology back in his early days at the University of Minnesota, he came to see another path of life ahead of him.

28 April 2020
New Department of Neuroscience

New Department of Neuroscience

We are pleased to announce that a new Department of Neuroscience has been established on 1 July 2019 under the Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences.

1 July 2019

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1 July 2026