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 |

Professor Peter KF CHIU

Urology |

Professor Philip WY CHIU

Upper Gastrointestinal and Metabolic Surgery |

Dr. CUI Heyang

Research/Laboratory |

Professor James YW LAU

Vascular Surgery |

Professor LI Zheng

Bioengineering | |

Dr. LIU Qinyang Alex

Urology |

Professor Anthony CF NG

Urology |

Professor Simon SM NG

Colorectal Surgery |

Professor Calvin SH NG

Cardiothoracic Surgery | |

Professor Jeremy YC TEOH

Urology |

Dr. Jeannette WC TING

Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery |

Dr. WANG Xin

Surgical Oncology |

Dr. WANG Yuliang

Urology |

Professor Randolph HL WONG

Cardiothoracic Surgery |

Professor Nathalie WONG

Surgical Oncology |

Dr. WU Dinglan

Urology |

Dr. Derek XIA

Research/Laboratory |

Dr. XU Mingjing Iris

Research/Laboratory |

Upper Gastrointestinal and Metabolic Surgery |

CURRENT POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS

BAO Chunting

PhD in Surgery

Supervisor:
Prof. Nathalie Wong

CHAN Wai Shing

PhD in Surgery

Supervisor:
Prof. Li Zheng

CHEN Shuqi

PhD in Translational Genomics

Supervisors:
Dr. Wang Xin
Dr. Cui Heyang

CHEN Sisi

PhD in Surgery

Supervisors:
Prof. James Lau
Prof. Randolph Wong

CHEN Weisi

Mphil in Surgery

Supervisors:
Dr. Wu Dinglan
Prof. Jeremy Teoh

CHEN Xinyue

PhD in Surgery

Supervisors:
Dr. Wang Xin
Dr. Miao Zhichao

CHENG Yikun

PhD in Translational Genomics

Supervisors:
Dr. Wang Xin
Dr. Cui Heyang

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

CHENG Yuanyao

PhD in Translational Genomics

Supervisors:
Dr. Wang Xin
Dr. Cui Heyang

Field of Research:
Pathology Foundation Model

DING Zhihao

PhD in Surgery

Supervisors:
Dr. Celia Dong
Dr. Liao Rui

FU Yihan

PhD in Surgery

Supervisors:
Prof. Jeremy Teoh
Dr. Wu Dinglan

GU Qian

PhD in Surgery

Supervisors:
Prof. James Lau
Prof. Randolph Wong

Field of Research:
Cardiovascular, mitochondria

HE Yiran

PhD in Surgery

Supervisors:
Prof. Peter Chiu
Dr. Wu Dinglan

HU Jiahui

PhD in Surgery

Supervisor:
Prof. Jeremy Teoh

HUANG Yaling

PhD in Translational Genomics

Supervisors:
Dr. Wang Xin
Dr. Cui Heyang

Field of Research:
Bioinformatics

JI Xiang

PhD in Surgery

Supervisors:
Prof. Nathalie Wong
Dr. Yip Hon Chi & Dr. Cui Heyang

JIANG Hang

PhD in Surgery

Supervisors:
Dr. Wang Xin
Dr. Cui Heyang

JIANG Miaomiao

PhD in Surgery

Supervisors:
Prof. Ng Chi Fai
Dr. Wu Dinglan

JIANG Peijie

PhD in Surgery

Supervisor:
Prof. Li Zheng

JIANG Zhuofeng

PhD in Surgery

Supervisors:
Prof. Ng Chi Fai
Dr. Wu Dinglan

JIN Dachun

PhD in Surgery

Supervisor:
Prof. Peter Chiu

LAU Hong Tim

Mphil in Surgery

Supervisor:
Dr. Alex Liu

LEI Mengyue

PhD in Surgery

Supervisors:
Dr. Shannon Chan
Dr. Cui Heyang

LI Sin Tung

PhD in Surgery

Supervisor:
Prof. Colin A. Graham

LI Xining

PhD in Surgery

Supervisor:
Dr. Wang Xin

Field of Research:
Bioinformatics

LI Zhongheng

PhD in Surgery

Supervisors:
Prof. Simon Ng
Dr. Trevor Yeung

LIN Tingyin

Mphil in Surgery

Supervisor:
Dr. Jeannette Ting

LIU Jitao

PhD in Surgery

Supervisors:
Prof. Kathy Lui
Prof. Randolph Wong

LIU Wei

PhD in Surgery

Supervisor:
Prof. Calvin Ng

Field of Research:
Lung cancer & Thoracic Disease

LIU Ziteng

PhD in Surgery

Supervisors:
Prof. Ng Chi Fai
Dr. Wu Dinglan

LUO Congzhou

PhD in Surgery

Supervisor:
Dr. Iris Xu

NIE Xiuping

PhD in Surgery

Supervisor:
Dr. Wang Xin

Field of Research:
Bioinformatics

PENG Bing

PhD in Surgery

Supervisors:
Prof. Philip Chiu
Dr. Xia Derek

PU Dandan

PhD in Surgery

Supervisors:
Prof. Nathalie Wong
Prof. James Lau

SHI Miao

PhD in Surgery

Supervisors:
Prof. Philip Chiu
Dr. Derek Xia

TAO Zhenkeke

PhD in Surgery

Supervisors:
Dr. Iris XU
Prof. Nathalie Wong

Field of Research:
Hepatocellular Carcinoma

WANG Qiaoxiu

PhD in Surgery

Supervisor:
Prof. Jeremy Teoh

WANG Tingyu

PhD in Translational Genomics

Supervisors:
Dr. Wang Xin
Dr. Cui Heyang

WANG Ziwei

PhD in Translational Genomics

Supervisors:
Dr. Wang Xin
Dr. Cui Heyang

Field of Research:
Bioinformatics

WU Yangda

Mphil in Surgery

Supervisor:
Dr. Xu Ruoyu

WU Yimou

Mphil in Surgery

Supervisor:
Prof. Li Zheng

XIE Ronghao

PhD in Surgery

Supervisor:
Prof. Li Zheng

XU Jia

PhD in Translational Genomics

Supervisors:
Dr. Wang Xin
Dr. Cui Heyang

YAO Ye

PhD in Surgery

Supervisors:
Prof. Jeremy Teoh
Dr. Wu Dinglan

YU Weiling

PhD in Surgery

Supervisor:
Prof. Peter Chiu

YU Yunfei

PhD in Surgery

Supervisors:
Prof. Jeremy Teoh
Dr. Wu Dinglan

YUAN Yongxian

PhD in Translational Genomics

Supervisor:
Dr. Cui Heyang

YUAN Zitian

Mphil in Surgery

Supervisor:
Dr. Derek Xia

ZHANG Jihao

PhD in Surgery

Supervisor:
Dr. Dong Yu Juan

ZHANG Yinghan

PhD in Translational Genomics

Supervisors:
Dr. Wang Xin
Dr. Cui Heyang

Field of Research:
Bioinformatics

ZHAO Wenlin

PhD in Surgery

Supervisors:
Prof. Peter Chiu
Dr. Wu Dinglan

ZHAO Yisong

Mphil in Surgery

Supervisor:
Prof. Li Zheng

ZHONG Ming

PhD in Translational Genomics

Supervisors:
Dr. Wang Xin
Dr. Cui Heyang

Field of Research:
Bioinformatics

ZOU Limin

PhD in Surgery

Supervisor:
Prof. Li Zheng

Field of Research:
Medical robot, High speed drill automation

GRADUATES / ALUMNI

QU Xinyu
PhD
2026
Multi-omics Profiling of Extracellular Vesicles to Exploit Their Biomarker Potential for Oral Cancer

CHEN Peng
PhD
2026
Roles of N6-methyladenosine Writer, METTL3, in Regulating Immunosuppression Microenvironment of Gastric Cancer

MENG Xin
PhD
2026
Identification and Functional Characterization of a Non-canonical MET Isoform in Lung Adenocarcinoma

LI Ming
PhD
2026
Identification and Functional Characterization of Novel Hepatocellular Carcinoma Associated Isoforms

MA Ruiying
PhD
2026
Investigation of Oncogenic Roles and Therapeutic Potential of a Non-Canonical FGFR4 Isoform in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Sun Yichong
PhD
2026
Integrated Magnetic Perception and Actuation Systems for Digestive Endoluminal Interventions

QIAO Sitan
PhD
2026
AI-powered Computational Histopathology Reveals Microenvironmental Subtypes with Distinct Spatial Organization and Multi-omics Profiles in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

JIANG Tao
PhD
2026
The Structural Code of Breast Cancer Proteoform: Alternative Splicing-driven Protein Isoform Variation and Functional Diversification

WANG Tsz Ki
PhD
2026
Functional Study of Neuropeptide Precursor Protein VGF in Prostate Cancer Castration Resistance and Neuroendocrine-like Differentiation

WU Hongwei
PhD
2026
Drug Screening on Patient-derived Organoids to Identify Alternatives for Cisplatin-resistant Bladder Cancer

YUAN Yongxian
MPhil
2026
Genome-wide Mechanistic Classification and Clinical Implications of High Structural Variant Burden in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

CHAN Wai Shing
MPhil
2026
From Concept to Clinic: The Development of a Magnetic Countertraction System for Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection

JIANG Zixing
MPhil
2026
Robotic Platform for Ultrasound Imaging and Navigated Interventions

Name	Degree	Year of Graduation	Thesis Titles
QU Xinyu	PhD	2026	Multi-omics Profiling of Extracellular Vesicles to Exploit Their Biomarker Potential for Oral Cancer
CHEN Peng	PhD	2026	Roles of N6-methyladenosine Writer, METTL3, in Regulating Immunosuppression Microenvironment of Gastric Cancer
MENG Xin	PhD	2026	Identification and Functional Characterization of a Non-canonical MET Isoform in Lung Adenocarcinoma
LI Ming	PhD	2026	Identification and Functional Characterization of Novel Hepatocellular Carcinoma Associated Isoforms
MA Ruiying	PhD	2026	Investigation of Oncogenic Roles and Therapeutic Potential of a Non-Canonical FGFR4 Isoform in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Sun Yichong	PhD	2026	Integrated Magnetic Perception and Actuation Systems for Digestive Endoluminal Interventions
QIAO Sitan	PhD	2026	AI-powered Computational Histopathology Reveals Microenvironmental Subtypes with Distinct Spatial Organization and Multi-omics Profiles in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
JIANG Tao	PhD	2026	The Structural Code of Breast Cancer Proteoform: Alternative Splicing-driven Protein Isoform Variation and Functional Diversification
WANG Tsz Ki	PhD	2026	Functional Study of Neuropeptide Precursor Protein VGF in Prostate Cancer Castration Resistance and Neuroendocrine-like Differentiation
WU Hongwei	PhD	2026	Drug Screening on Patient-derived Organoids to Identify Alternatives for Cisplatin-resistant Bladder Cancer
YUAN Yongxian	MPhil	2026	Genome-wide Mechanistic Classification and Clinical Implications of High Structural Variant Burden in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
CHAN Wai Shing	MPhil	2026	From Concept to Clinic: The Development of a Magnetic Countertraction System for Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection
JIANG Zixing	MPhil	2026	Robotic Platform for Ultrasound Imaging and Navigated Interventions