Congratulations to  Aviva Chow’s research team - 51st International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva 2026

Congratulations to Professor Aviva Chow’s research team for receiving the prestigious Special Grand Prize – Prize of the Chinese Delegation and Gold Medal with Congratulations of the Jury at the 51st International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva 2026. The awarded project, a nose-to-brain nanopowder nasal spray, was designed for early intervention in ischemic stroke. This innovative first-aid approach harnesses nanotechnology to deliver neurotherapeutics via the nasal pathway, with the aim of offering immediate protection for stroke patients. This invention holds game-changing potential to enhance quality of life and reduce the healthcare burden worldwide.

The exhibition showcased over 1,000 inventions from 35 countries and regions, providing a platform for sharing technological advancements and encouraging international collaboration.

Webpage: https://www.hku.hk/press/press-releases/detail/28989.html

Congratulations to Professor Esther Chan

We would like to extend our congratulations to Professor Esther Chan for promoting from Assistant Dean (Health Sciences Education) to Associate Dean of Student Affairs.

 

Faculty Awards for Outstanding Research and Teaching Achievements

We are delighted to announce that Professor Esther Chan and Professor Eric Wan have been honored with the Faculty Outstanding Research Output Award which recognizes their exceptional research achievements and impactful publications. Additionally, Ms. Jody Chu has been named one of this year’s four recipients of the Faculty Teaching Medal. This accolade highlights her outstanding contributions to teaching and her dedication to enhancing educational practices.

 

Welcome to Dr. Mohamad Dayoob

We would like to extend a very warm welcome to Dr. Mohamad Dayoob, who has joined our department as a Lecturer starting 15 December 2025.

Congratulations to Ms. Eliza Tam and Dr. Ann Leung

On behalf of the Head of Department, we would like to extend our congratulations to Ms. Eliza Tam and Dr. Ann Leung for promoting from Lecturer to Senior Lecturer in the Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy with effect from 1 November 2025.

Best wishes to Eliza and Ann for continued success in their new roles.

Prof. Ching-Lung Cheung delivered a talk at the RWE Frontier Symposium 2026 in Hengqin, focused on policy translation and methodology innovation.

Prof. Ching-Lung Cheung delivered a talk at the RWE Frontier Symposium 2026 in Hengqin, focused on policy translation and methodology innovation.

https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7472185102630903808

Our students finished a visit to the University Of Macau from 8–12 June 2026

Our students finished a visit to the University Of Macau from 8–12 June 2026

https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7471501633349144578

Marco Lee delivered a community health education workshop titled “Travelling Medicines” for the Community and Patient Resource Department of Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital. 

Marco Lee delivered a community health education workshop titled “Travelling Medicines” for the Community and Patient Resource Department of Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital. 

https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7470414473053335552

Cynthia Wu delivered a talk at the Hong Kong College of Cardiology Annual Scientific Congress

Cynthia Wu delivered a talk at the Hong Kong College of Cardiology Annual Scientific Congress

https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7469735563462627328

Ms Gladys Cheung delivered a community sleep health talk, organised by The Jockey Club PHARM+ Community Medication Service Network

Ms Gladys Cheung delivered a community sleep health talk, organised by The Jockey Club PHARM+ Community Medication Service Network

https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7469689708982214656

[Seminar Series - Drug Delivery and Translational Medicine] From NO to YES: Nitric oxide (NO)-releasing nanomedicines for next generation cardiovascular therapeutics

Department of Pharmacology & Pharmacy
When:		22 June 2026 (Monday) at 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Speaker:		Dr. Tanveer Tabish   Associate Professor, Group Leader in Cardiovascular Nanotherapeutics, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, United Kingdom Abstract: Nitric oxide (NO) is a key endogenous signalling molecule produced by vascular endothelial cells, crucial for vascular homeostasis. Impaired NO bioavailability is a hallmark of cardiovascular diseases. The lack of spatial and temporal control in systemic NO donors leads to off-target effects and limited therapeutic precision. To address these limitations, we developed nanomaterial-based platforms for controlled and targeted NO delivery. Porous graphene oxide nanosheets functionalised with cysteamine generate S-nitrosated carriers capable of sustained NO release at physiological levels, mimicking endothelial function and selectively promoting endothelial proliferation while inhibiting smooth muscle cell growth via NO–cGMP signalling. Building on this, pH-responsive dipeptide–graphene hybrids enable controlled NO storage and release, enhancing delivery in acidic environments. Extending this approach to subcellular targeting, mitochondria-targeted graphene oxide platforms functionalised with triphenylphosphonium deliver NO directly to cardiac mitochondria, modulating respiration, reducing oxidative stress, and improving cell survival during ischaemia–reperfusion. These results highlight graphene-based nanomaterials as promising platforms for localised and sustained NO delivery in cardiovascular therapy. Bio: Dr. Tanveer Tabish is Group Leader in Cardiovascular Nanotherapeutics at the Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford. His research integrates materials science, chemical biology, and biomedical engineering to develop advanced biomaterials for cardiovascular medicine. His group specialises in designing and functionalising nanostructures for targeted drug delivery, especially nitric oxide–releasing nanomedicines for cardiovascular regeneration. They aim to build responsive delivery systems that adapt to complex biological environments and restore vascular homeostasis. His group explores how redox balance controls cardiovascular health and disease and how therapeutic gases such as nitric oxide can be hitched through nanomedicine to modulate vascular function, mitochondrial activity and inflammatory pathways. Dr. Tabish has published over 60 papers, holds four patents, and has received the Larry Hench Young Investigator Prize. His work is funded by the British Heart Foundation, Wellcome Trust, Royal Society, Cancer Research UK, and EPSRC.
Venue:		Seminar Room 4, 4/F, 3 Sassoon Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China All are welcome

A memorable moment from the farewell day of our BPharm Year 4 Class of 2026 (P26) — Wishing them all the best ahead

The Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy proudly celebrated the BPharm Class of 2026 on their Farewell Day, marking the culmination of an exacting four-year journey and a significant transition from students to poised healthcare professionals. In the welcome remarks, the Head of Department, Professor Khuloud Al-Jamal, commended the cohort’s resilience, intellectual growth, and professional maturity, while emphasizing three enduring principles for their future practice: to serve as expert communicators who can translate complex scientific knowledge into compassionate patient care, to remain lifelong learners in a rapidly advancing discipline, and to uphold the strength of the HKU community as they embark on their careers. 

The Department extends sincere appreciation to the Pharmacy Society Committee for organizing this meaningful event, and to our teaching staff for their dedication and guidance throughout the students’ time at HKU.