Department of Surgery, CUHK

RESEARCH POSTGRADUATE

OVERVIEW

The Chinese University of Hong Kong is a tertiary research institution of international repute with an annual postgraduate intake of over 13,000.

The Department of Surgery is an integral part of the Faculty of Medicine based in the Prince of Wales Hospital. Our programs are research-oriented, providing students with dedicated support, structured mentorship and excellent research opportunities during their journey of discovering their unique academic interests and developing an expertise in translational research. We equip postgraduate students with in-depth knowledge and advanced research skills, accentuating a comprehensive learning experience that builds a solid foundation for their academic career with an aim to excel at utilising surgical sciences to improve patient outcomes.

RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES

Potential Projects

Minimally Invasive Surgery
Cancer Research: Molecular Targets for Diagnosis and Treatment
Biomedical Informatics
Translational Genomics
Neurosurgery
Other topics in Surgery such as Hepato-biliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Upper Gastrointestinal and Metabolic Surgery, Colorectal Surgery, Vascular Surgery, Urology and Cardiothoracic Surgery will also be considered.

Postgraduate Programmes

We offer three postgraduate programmes:

M.Phil. in Surgery

The programme is research-oriented. Students will have the opportunity to participate in international conference during the course of study. Each student will be required to deliver seminar, submit a written research thesis and pass an oral examination for graduation.

Target Participants
MPhil candidates include science graduates, medical students and medical doctors undertaking scientific training.

Fields of Specialisation
• Minimally Invasive Surgery
• Cancer Research: Molecular Targets
for Diagnosis and Treatment
• Biomedical Engineering
• Neurosurgery

Other topics in Surgery will also be considered.

Course Requirements
Students are required to complete a minimum of 26 units of courses for graduation. 2 courses on Biostatistics (MEDP6002 & MEDP6003) are mandatory in the first year of their study. Each student must register for Thesis Research courses every term.

Normative Study Period
Full-time: 2 years
Part-time: 3 years

Ph.D. in Surgery

The programme is research-oriented. Students will have the opportunity to participate in international conference during the course of study. Each student will be required to deliver seminar, submit a written research thesis and pass an oral examination for graduation.

Target Participants
PhD candidates include science graduates, medical students and medical doctors undertaking scientific training.

Fields of Specialisation
• Minimally Invasive Surgery
• Cancer genomics and Bioinformatics
• Cancer Research: Molecular Targets
for Diagnosis and Treatment
• Biomedical Engineering
• Neurosurgery

Other topics in Surgery will also be considered.

Course Requirements
Students with a research Master’s degree are required to complete a minimum of 38 units of courses for graduation, whereas it is 50 units for students without a research Master’s degree. 2 courses on Biostatistics (MEDP6002 & MEDP6003) are mandatory in the first year of their study. Each student must register for Thesis Research courses every term.

Normative Study Period

	Full-time	Part-time
Ph.D. (entering with a research Master’s degree)	36 months	48 months
Ph.D. (entering without a research Master’s degree)	48 months	64 months

M.Phil.-Ph.D. Programme in Translational Genomics

The programme is research-oriented. It aims to bridge basic and clinical research through discovery and validation of novel diagnostics and therapeutics for earlier diagnosis and smarter treatments. Graduates of this programme will be equipped with sufficient skill sets required for careers in research institutions, hospitals, and healthcare-related industries with a high demand of intellectuals in genomics, bioinformatics, computational biology, machine learning and deep learning applied for the discovery and validation of novel diagnostics and therapeutics for major human diseases like cancers.

Target Participants
Students who aim to become researchers in the areas of genomics, bioinformatics, computational biology, machine learning and deep learning applied for the discovery and validation of novel diagnostics and therapeutics for major human diseases like cancers.

Fields of Specialisation
• Genomics
• Bioinformatics
• Computational biology
• Classical machine learning and deep learning

Course Requirements
Lecture courses of a minimum of 12 units are required for graduation. Each student must register for Thesis Research courses every term.

Required Lecture Courses
MEDP6002 Biostatistics I (1 unit)
MEPD6003 Biostatistics II (1 unit)
SURY5310 Frontiers in Translational Genomics (2 units)

Elective Lecture Courses
ELTU5501 Postgraduate Presentation Skills (3 units)
GNBF5020 Introduction to Molecular Biology and Genetics (3 units)
GNBF5040 Genomics: Basic Concepts and Applications (3 units)
GNBF5050 Theories and Algorithms in Bioinformatics (3 units)
GNBF5060 Systems Biology (3 units)
GNBF5070 Genome Informatics (3 units)
SURY5320 Clinical Genomics (3 units)

Normative Study Period

	Full-time	Part-time
M.Phil.	24 months	36 months
Ph.D. (entering with a research Master’s degree)	36 months	48 months
Ph.D. (entering without a research Master’s degree)	48 months	64 months

Interested candidates are encouraged to determine their research interest and discuss with their potential supervisor through email. Applicants with a general interest in pursuing a postgraduate degree in our department could send their CV and a brief statement on their research interest to postgrad@surgery.cuhk.edu.hk for consideration. Application deadline is listed on Graduate School's website.

RESEARCH POSTGRADUATE SUPERVISORS

Dr. CHAN Shannon Melissa

Upper Gastrointestinal and Metabolic Surgery |

Dr. CHIU Ka Fung Peter

Urology |

Professor Philip WY CHIU

Upper Gastrointestinal and Metabolic Surgery |

Dr. CUI Heyang

Research/Laboratory |

Professor James YW LAU

Vascular Surgery |

Professor Zheng LI

Bioengineering | |

Dr. LIAO Rui

Research/Laboratory |

Professor Anthony CF NG

Urology |

Professor Enders KW NG

Upper Gastrointestinal and Metabolic Surgery |

Professor Simon SM NG

Colorectal Surgery |

Professor Calvin SH NG

Cardiothoracic Surgery | |

Urology |

Urology |

Professor Nathalie WONG

Surgical Oncology |

Dr. XU Mingjing Iris

Research/Laboratory |

CURRENT POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS

BAO Chunting

PhD in Surgery (Admitted in 2025)

Supervisor(s):
Prof. Nathalie WONG
Dr. LI Linxian

CHAN Wai Shing

MPhil in Surgery (Admitted in 2024)

Supervisor(s):
Prof. LI Zheng

Field of Research:
Medical robot, High speed drill automation

CHEN Peng

PhD in Surgery (Admitted in 2023)

Supervisor(s):
Prof. CHIU Wai Yan Philip
Dr. CHAN Shannon Melissa

Field of Research:
Upper Gastrointestinal and Metabolic Surgery, Tumorigenesis mechanism

CHEN Shuqi

PhD in Translational Genomics (Admitted in 2025)

Supervisor(s):
Dr. WANG Xin
Dr. CUI Heyang

CHEN Sisi

PhD in Surgery (Admitted in 2023)

Supervisor(s):
Prof. LAU Yun Wong James
Dr. WONG Hung Leung Randolph

CHEN Xinyue

PhD in Surgery (Admitted in 2023)

Supervisor(s):
Dr. WANG Xin
Dr. Miao Zhichao

CHEN Xuan

PhD in Surgery (Admitted in 2022)

Supervisor(s):
Prof. NG Chi Fai
Dr. TEOH Yuen Chun Jeremy

CHENG Yikun

PhD in Translational Genomics (Admitted in 2025)

Supervisor(s):
Dr. WANG Xin
Dr. CUI Heyang

Field of Research:
Oncology, Solid Tumor, Upper Digestive Tract

CHENG Yuanyao

PhD in Translational Genomics (Admitted in 2025)

Supervisor(s):
Dr. WANG Xin
Dr. CUI Heyang

Field of Research:
Pathology Foundation Model

DING Zhihao

PhD in Surgery (Admitted in 2025)

Supervisor(s):
Dr. Celia DONG
Dr. LIAO Rui

GUO Hongda

PhD in Surgery (Admitted in 2022)

Supervisor(s):
Dr. CHIU Ka Fung Peter
Prof. NG Chi Fai

HU Jiahui

PhD in Surgery (Admitted in 2025)

Supervisor(s):
Dr. TEOH Yuen Chun Jeremy

HUANG Yaling

PhD in Translational Genomics (Admitted in 2024)

Supervisor(s):
Dr. WANG Xin
Dr. CUI Heyang

Field of Research:
Bioinformatics

JI Xiang

PhD in Surgery (Admitted in 2025)

Supervisor(s):
Prof. Nathalie WONG
Dr. YIP Hon Chi & Dr. CUI Heyang

JIANG Hang

PhD in Surgery (Admitted in 2025)

Supervisor(s):
Dr. WANG Xin
Dr. CUI Heyang

JIANG Miaomiao

PhD in Surgery (Admitted in 2025)

Supervisor(s):
Prof. NG Chi Fai

JIANG Tao

PhD in Surgery (Admitted in 2023)

Supervisor(s):
Dr. WANG Xin

Field of Research:
Oncological bioinformatics

JIANG Zixing

MPhil in Surgery (Admitted in 2024)

Supervisor(s):
Prof. LI Zheng

Field of Research:
Medical robot, High speed drill automation

JIN Dachun

PhD in Surgery (Admitted in 2025)

Supervisor(s):
Dr. CHIU Ka Fung Peter

LEI Mengyue

PhD in Surgery (Admitted in 2024)

Supervisor(s):
Dr. CHAN Shannon Melissa
Dr. CUI Heyang

LI Ming

PhD in Surgery (Admitted in 2023)

Supervisor(s):
Prof. LAU Yun Wong James
Prof. Nathalie WONG

LI Sin Tung

PhD in Surgery (Admitted in 2024)

Supervisor(s):
Prof. Colin A. GRAHAM

LI Xining

PhD in Surgery (Admitted in 2023)

Supervisor(s):
Dr. WANG Xin

Field of Research:
Bioinformatics

LIU Jitao

PhD in Surgery (Admitted in 2023)

Supervisor(s):
Prof. Kathy LUI
Dr. WONG Hung Leung Randolph

LIU Wei

PhD in Surgery (Admitted in 2025)

Supervisor(s):
Prof. NG Sze Hang Calvin

Field of Research:
Lung cancer & Thoracic Disease

LIU Ziteng

PhD in Surgery (Admitted in 2024)

Supervisor(s):
Prof. NG Chi Fai
Dr. WU Dinglan

LUO Wenjie, William

PhD in Surgery (Admitted in 2022)

Supervisor(s):
Prof. NG Sze Hang Calvin

LUO Xiao

PhD in Surgery (Admitted in 2022)

Supervisor(s):
Prof. LI Zheng

MA Ruiying

PhD in Surgery (Admitted in 2023)

Supervisor(s):
Prof. Nathalie WONG

Field of Research:
Genome research, Anti-tumor study in hepatocarcinoma

MEI Piaorong

PhD in Surgery (Admitted in 2022)

Supervisor(s):
Prof. Nathalie WONG

MENG Xin

PhD in Surgery (Admitted in 2023)

Supervisor(s):
Prof. NG Sze Hang Calvin
Prof. Nathalie WONG

NG Wing Yin

PhD in Surgery (Admitted in 2021)

Supervisor(s):
Prof. LI Zheng

Field of Research:
Machine Learning, Medical Image Analysis, Computer Vision

NIE Xiuping

PhD in Surgery (Admitted in 2024)

Supervisor(s):
Dr. WANG Xin

Field of Research:
Bioinformatics

PU Dandan

PhD in Surgery (Admitted in 2024)

Supervisor(s):
Prof. Nathalie WONG
Prof. LAU Yun Wong James

QIAO Sitan

PhD in Surgery (Admitted in 2023)

Supervisor(s):
Dr. WANG Xin

Field of Research:
Cancer genome

QU Xinyu

PhD in Surgery (Admitted in 2020)

Supervisor(s):
Prof. Katie MEEHAN
Dr. CHAN Jason Ying Kuen

SHI Miao

PhD in Surgery (Admitted in 2025)

Supervisor(s):
Prof. CHIU Wai Yan Philip
Dr. Derek XIA

Sun Yichong

PhD in Surgery (Admitted in 2023)

Supervisor(s):
Prof. LI Zheng
Dr. Yip Hon Chi

Field of Research:
Magnetic control and sensing, Digestive endoscopy

TAO Zhenkeke

PhD in Surgery (Admitted in 2025)

Supervisor(s):
Dr. Iris XU
Prof. Nathalie WONG

Field of Research:
Hepatocellular Carcinoma

WANG Qiaoxiu

PhD in Surgery (Admitted in 2024)

Supervisor(s):
Dr. TEOH Yuen Chun Jeremy

WANG Tingyu

PhD in Translational Genomics (Admitted in 2025)

Supervisor(s):
Dr. WANG Xin
Dr. CUI Heyang

WANG Tsz Ki

PhD in Surgery (Admitted in 2023)

Supervisor(s):
Dr. CHIU Ka Fung Peter
Prof. NG Chi Fai

Field of Research:
Urology, Prostate cancer

WANG Ziwei

PhD in Translational Genomics (Admitted in 2024)

Supervisor(s):
Dr. WANG Xin
Dr. CUI Heyang

Field of Research:
Bioinformatics

WU Hongwei

PhD in Surgery (Admitted in 2023)

Supervisor(s):
Prof. NG Chi Fai
Dr. TEOH Yuen Chun Jeremy

WU Yimou

Mphil in Surgery (Admitted in 2025)

Supervisor(s):
Prof. LI Zheng

XIAN Yitian

PhD in Surgery (Admitted in 2021)

Supervisor(s):
Prof. LI Zheng
Dr. CHAN Yuen Chung David

Field of Research:
Neurosurgical Robotics

XIE Ronghao

PhD in Surgery (Admitted in 2025)

Supervisor(s):
Prof. LI Zheng

XU Jia

PhD in Translational Genomics (Admitted in 2025)

Supervisor(s):
Dr. WANG Xin
Dr. CUI Heyang

YAO Jinyan

PhD in Surgery (Admitted in 2022)

Supervisor(s):
Dr. Iris XU

YU Weiling

PhD in Surgery (Admitted in 2024)

Supervisor(s):
Dr. CHIU Ka Fung Peter

YUAN Yongxian

MPhil in Translational Genomics (Admitted in 2024)

Supervisor(s):
Dr. CUI Heyang

Field of Research:
Bioinformatics

YUAN Zitian

Mphil in Surgery (Admitted in 2025)

Supervisor(s):
Dr. Derek XIA

ZHANG Yinghan

PhD in Translational Genomics (Admitted in 2024)

Supervisor(s):
Dr. WANG Xin
Dr. CUI Heyang

Field of Research:
Bioinformatics

ZHAO Yisong

PhD in Surgery (Admitted in 2024)

Supervisor(s):
Prof. LI Zheng

ZHONG Ming

PhD in Translational Genomics (Admitted in 2024)

Supervisor(s):
Dr. WANG Xin
Dr. CUI Heyang

Field of Research:
Bioinformatics

ZOU Limin

PhD in Surgery (Admitted in 2023)

Supervisor(s):
Prof. LI Zheng

Field of Research:
Medical robot, High speed drill automation

GRADUATES / ALUMNI

GAO Wentao
PhD
2025
Studying the subsets and functions of T cells responsible for the development of atherosclerosis

LI Xiang
PhD
2025
Development of a Tissue-Independent Methylation Aging Clock for Cancer-Specific Aging Assessment and Anti-Aging Therapeutic Insights

WANG Yijuan
PhD
2025
Cancer Post-Transcriptional Regulations: From Molecular Mechanisms to Clinical Applications

Name	Degree	Year of Graduation	Thesis Titles
GAO Wentao	PhD	2025	Studying the subsets and functions of T cells responsible for the development of atherosclerosis
LI Xiang	PhD	2025	Development of a Tissue-Independent Methylation Aging Clock for Cancer-Specific Aging Assessment and Anti-Aging Therapeutic Insights
WANG Yijuan	PhD	2025	Cancer Post-Transcriptional Regulations: From Molecular Mechanisms to Clinical Applications