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Programme(s) to which this project applies: |
| ☑ MPhil/PhD | ☒ MRes[Med] | ☒ URIS |
About the Project
Chronic hepatitis B infection is caused by hepatitis B virus, a stealth virus that is hepatotropic. The condition affects more than 300 million people globally and can cause cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma and death. While there is yet a cure for chronic hepatitis B infection, the current goal of treatment is hepatitis B surface antigen seroclearance, also known as functional cure, which is only achievable in 1-2% patients every year with the current treatment. This project aims at deciphering the immunological mechanisms driving functional cure in chronic hepatitis B infection.
This project involves immunological profiling on clinical samples collected from the leading tertiary academic hospital, with comprehensive clinical and virological data. Our interdisciplinary research team includes clinicians, immunologist, pathologist and bioinformatic expert. Through the integration of clinical, virological and immunological data, an important goal is to unveil the mechanisms leading to recovery of immune dysfunction, with the potential to identify novel therapeutic targets in chronic hepatitis B infection.
About the Supervisor
Professor LY Mak, Department of Medicine
Professor Loey Mak is currently a Clinical Assistant Professor HKUMed. She received her medical education at The University of Hong Kong. She completed her specialty training in year 2018 in Queen Mary Hospital Hong Kong as a gastroenterologist and hepatologist. She joined the academic faculty in year 2020 and obtained the degree of Doctor of Medicine in the field of clinical liver diseases in year 2021. Prof Mak’s research interests include clinical research of liver diseases, especially in the field of chronic viral hepatitis, fibrosis assessment and steatotic liver disease. She has published more than 160 peer-reviewed articles in reputable journals, with >80 being first-authored/ co-first/ corresponding authored articles, highlights including publications in Journal of Hepatology, Gut, Clinical Molecular Hepatology, and Hepatology. She is an Honorary Research Fellow of The Centre for Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Blizard Institute, Queen Mary University of London since Jan 2022 to conduct research in the field of HBV immunology, and received the Croucher Fellowship for post-doctoral research.
Prof Mak has received numerous academic awards, highlight being The Emerging Leader Award by The European Association for the Study of Liver, which is a yearly award specifically dedicated to young fellows and will be given to 2-3 young scholars. Prof Mak is the first Chinese woman to receive this award. She was Finalist for The Rising Star Award, EMMS International’s inaugural Global Women in Healthcare Awards in association with the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh in 2024.
Prof Mak leads the hepatitis C virus micro-elimination efforts in Hong Kong, and pioneered such strategy in persons under custody in correctional facilities. She established the Specialty Out-Patient Clinic for Steatotic Liver Disease in Queen Mary Hospital. Prof Mak is the principal investigator and co-investigator for numerous projects funded by externally-competitive grants.
Prof Mak has received numerous academic awards, highlight being The Emerging Leader Award by The European Association for the Study of Liver, which is a yearly award specifically dedicated to young fellows and will be given to 2-3 young scholars. Prof Mak is the first Chinese woman to receive this award. She was Finalist for The Rising Star Award, EMMS International’s inaugural Global Women in Healthcare Awards in association with the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh in 2024.
Prof Mak leads the hepatitis C virus micro-elimination efforts in Hong Kong, and pioneered such strategy in persons under custody in correctional facilities. She established the Specialty Out-Patient Clinic for Steatotic Liver Disease in Queen Mary Hospital. Prof Mak is the principal investigator and co-investigator for numerous projects funded by externally-competitive grants.
Next Step?
For more information or to express interest for this project, please email the supervisor or the specified contact point in the project description. Interested candidates are advised to enclose with your email:
- your CV,
- a brief description of your research interest and experience, and
- two reference letters (not required for HKUMed UG students seeking MRes[Med]/URIS projects).
Information on the research programme, funding support and admission documentations could be referenced online at the Research Postgraduate Admissions website. General admission enquiries should be directed to rpgmed@hku.hk.
HKUMed MBBS students interested in the Master of Research in Medicine (MRes[Med]) programme may visit the programme website for more information.
HKUMed UG students interested in the Undergraduate Research Internship Scheme (URIS) may visit the scheme’s website for more information.
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