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Programme(s) to which this project applies: |
| ☑ MPhil/PhD | ☒ MRes[Med] | ☑ URIS |
About the Project
Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and polygenic risk scores (PRS) have substantially advanced the identification of individuals at risk for glaucoma. However, most genetic studies have focused on disease diagnosis rather than on precise disease subtypes or progression trajectories.
Recent advances in high-resolution glaucoma imaging—particularly axonal optical texture analysis—now enable more refined and quantitative phenotyping of structural changes and disease progression. These technologies provide an unprecedented opportunity to link molecular variation with precise clinical traits.
This project aims to leverage large-scale population cohorts and well-characterized population-based studies to:
- Identify genetic and proteomic determinants of distinct glaucoma phenotypes
- Investigate molecular signatures associated with different disease stages
- Elucidate genetic factors contributing to glaucoma progression
- Improve risk stratification through integrative multi-omics approaches
By integrating genomics, proteomics, and advanced imaging-derived phenotypes, this project seeks to advance precision medicine approaches for glaucoma prediction, biomarker development, and explore therapeutic targeting.
About the Supervisor
Professor RYY Leung, Department of Ophthalmology
I am a clinician–scientist in the Department of Ophthalmology. Following my medical training, I completed a DPhil in Clinical Neurosciences at the University of Oxford. My research sits at the intersection of clinical medicine, neuroscience, and advanced biomedical technologies.
My work focuses on applying cutting-edge approaches—including genomics, proteomics, advanced imaging, and data-driven analytics—to interrogate the relationships between disease onset, progression, and underlying biological mechanisms. A central goal of my research is to bridge mechanistic discovery with clinical translation, facilitating the development of robust biomarkers and novel therapeutic targets.
I welcome students who are intellectually curious, highly motivated, and resilient. A strong drive to tackle challenging problems and a commitment to rigorous scientific inquiry are highly valued. Students from engineering, computational, clinical, and biomedical science backgrounds are encouraged to reach out.
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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