People
Group Leader
(001) Dr. Franco King-Chi Leung studied his BSc in Chemistry (2011) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University where he carried out his Masters research (2013) in catalysis and chemical biology under supervision of Prof. Man-Kin Wong. He expanded his research scopes in his PhD to supramolecular chemistry and material science under guidance of Prof. Takanori Fukushima in Tokyo Institute of Technology (Japan). In April 2017, he joined Prof. Ben L. Feringa's group (2016 Nobel Laureate in Chemistry) in University of Groningen, the Netherlands, as a postdoc fellow and later he was awarded the Croucher Postdoctoral Fellow, where he is developing photo-responsive soft materials of molecular motors and switches. Since June 2019, he is serving as an Assistant Professor in Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, PolyU. He was awarded the prestige Croucher Innovation Award (2021), PolyU Young Innovative Researcher Award (2022), PolyU Outstanding Young Alumni Award of Dept. of ABCT (June 2023) & Faculty of Science (Aug 2023), and Rising Star in Polymer Science (Nov 2023). His main research interests are dynamic supramolecular polymers, functional molecular assembly, and biocompatible functional materials.
Group Members
(I) Postdoc Fellow
(026) Dr. Shuangshuang Meng obtained her BSc in Chemistry from Nanjing Normal University in 2018. Her undergraduate research was focused on the biocompatible mesoporous SiNPs-based coatings under the supervision of Prof. Chun Mao. In September 2018, she joined Prof. Michael C. W. Chan’s group for her PhD research in dynamic helical metallopolymers at City University of Hong Kong. Shuangshuang joins our research group in July 2023 to expend her research scope on the translation of multi-controlled supramolecular assembly towards functional macroscopic soft scaffolds.
(II) Research Associate
(020) Mr. Wai Ki WONG received his B.Eng. in Biomedical Engineering from The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) in 2017. His undergraduate project focused on bioactive scaffold design for stem cell chondrogenesis. After graduation, he worked in Professor Liming Bian’s team (CUHK) as research assistant for nanomaterials and tissue engineering research. In 2021, he finished his master project, which focused on porous hydrogel design for tissue engineering, under supervision of Professor Molly Stevens and obtained his MSc in Biomedical Engineering from Imperial College London. Currently, he joins our team as a research assistant and would like to expand his research scope on the supramolecular materials for tissue engineering application. In June 2023, he serves as a research associate for CEVR collaborative projects with Prof. Man-Kin Wong.
(III) PhD Student
(005)(D4) Mr. Timmy Leong-Hung Cheung completed his BSc in Chemical Technology at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University in 2018. Timmy served as a research assistant, firstly in Prof. Wing-Yiu Yu’s group (PolyU) for the organometallic research. Later Timmy expanded his research scope to carry out research in Prof. Pei Li’s research team for polymeric material studies (PolyU). In Aug 2020, he joined our group as a research assistant to further enlarge his research scope. Later in Jan 2021, Timmy starts to carry out his PhD in exploration of photoresponsive soft materials.
(011)(D3) Mr. Marco Ming-Hin Chau acquired his BSc in the Analytical Science for Testing and Certification from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University in 2020. After graduation, he served as a teaching project assistant, under supervision of Dr. Kim-Hung Lam, to improve student’s online learning experience by integrating active learning strategies. In Apr 2021, he is joining our group as research assistant to start his scientific research journey in developing photocontrolled supramolecular co-assembled systems. Later in Jan 2022, Marco has started his PhD in design and synthesis of visible-light responsive soft materials.
(015)(D2) Mr. Jerry Chun-Kit Yau obtained his BSc in chemistry from the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) in 2020. For his undergraduate research, he worked under the supervision of Prof. Jiang Xia and performed research project focusing on engineering of affibody molecules for targeted therapy. To further explore his research scope, he joined our research group as a research assistant in mid-Feb 2022 with focus on Indigo amphiphiles supramolecular systems. In May 2023, Jerry starts his postgraduate study with focus on the development of photo-controlled soft material and its biomedical applications.
(017) (D1) Miss Jessie Yikun Ren received her BSc degree in Bioscience from the Huihua College of Hebei Normal University in 2019. In 2022, she obtained her master’s degree in biology from Zhengzhou University. In her postgraduate research, she developed novel functional hydrogel systems for wound dressings and related applications. To further extend her research interest, she joins our research group in July 2022 to serve as a research assistant, focusing on the development of photoresponsive soft materials for stem cells studies. Later in Sept 2023, Jessie will start her PhD, which is supported by PolyU PhD Scholarship (Competitive), with focus on the development of photoresponsive amphiphiles and polymeric systems.
(021) (D1) Mr. Rick Ka-Lung Hung has received his BSc in Chemical Technology at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. His undergraduate project worked under supervision of Dr. Cheuk-Lam Ho, focusing on development of porphyrin photosensitizers for hydrogen production. After graduation, he is joining our research group in July 2022 as a research assistant, focusing on the synthesis and supramolecular studies of visible-light driven molecular amphiphiles. Later in Sept 2023, Rick will start his postgraduate study in developing photoresponsive amphiphiles.
(012) (D1) Mr. Brian Boyan Liu is studying his BSc in Chemical Technology. In June 2021, he is joining our laboratory as a research student helper. Brian is interested in synthesis of complicated organic molecules and to obtain more experimental techniques and experience in Organic Chemistry and Supramolecular Chemistry. Brian has finished his FYP in May 2023. Later in Sept 2023, Brian will start his postgraduate study with focuses on organic synthesis and characterisation of novel photoresponsive molecular amphiphiles.
(022) (D1) Miss Christina Haiqi Zhang is studying her BSc in Chemical Technology. Before joining our team, she worked in Dr. Wing-leung Wong’s group (PolyU) for novel complexes of photocatalysis research. Christina has finished her FYP in May 2023. Later in Sept 2023, Christina will start her postgraduate study in developing novel photoresponsive molecular amphiphiles for smart material applications.
(IV) Research Assistant
(031) Mr. Chris Yanzhi Chen obtained his BSc degree in Chemistry from The University of Hong Kong in 2023. With a passion for designing soft materials, Covalent Organic Framework (COF), and Metal Organic Framework (MOF), Chris has dedicated his academic pursuits to exploring these areas. During his undergraduate research internship, he had the privilege of working under the guidance of Dr. Jian HE, where he gained hands-on experience in synthesizing COF and MOF. Eager to delve deeper into his research interests, Chris joined our group as research assistant in June 2024. His primary focus lies in the biocompatible soft materials and the functional molecular assembly.
(033) Mr. Thomas Hiu Wai Lee has completed his BSc in Analytical Science for Testing and Certification from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. During the BSc study, he served as senior mentor, under supervision of Dr Lam Kim Hung, to help the ASTC juniors to adapt to university’s life. He was nominated for SINOPEC "Cleaner Energy Better Life" Scholarship 2023/24. Since June 2024, he served as research assistant in our group, experiencing the synthesis of photoresponsive amphiphiles.
(V) Final Year Project Student
(030) Miss Amy Yuejia Zhu is studying her BSc in Chemical Technology. Before joining our team, she worked in Prof. Wing-Yiu Yu’s lab (PolyU) as a student helper for organometallic research in 2022. Later in 2023, Amy joined the Undergraduate Research and Innovation Scheme to conduct research in Prof. Yao Zhongping’s laboratory (PolyU) on chiral recognition by mass spectrometry. In 2024, she joined our group as a student helper focusing on the supramolecular assembly of photoresponsive amphiphiles. Later, she will start her FYP later in September 2024.
(032) Mr. Kelvin Sze-Yim Cai is pursuing his BSc in Chemical Technology. In June 2024, Kelvin joined our group as a student helper focusing on the organic synthesis and characterization of novel photoresponsive molecular amphiphiles, and he will start his FYP later in September 2024.
(034) Miss Lianna Man Huen Leung is studying her BSc in Applied Biology with Biotechnology. This is her first time joining a research group and contribute to a project. Lianna will start her FYP in September 2024. She is looking forward to contributing her biological skills and enthusiasm, to learn from experienced team members, and collaborating on the projects. She will work on bioactive hybrid cell-material interfaces.
(VI) Undergraduate Student
(002) Mr. Money Wang 王潛 received his BA in South China Agricultural University. Money is our honourable guest in Dr. Franco Leung research group, serving as our Glassware Cleaner and graphic designer.
Our Alumni
