Research Projects
Bidirectional Temporal Modeling of Late-Life Depression and Physical Multimorbidity Using a Generative Transformer

This project investigates the dynamic, bidirectional relationship between late-life depression and physical multimorbidity using longitudinal data.

By transforming data waves into life-event sequences, we apply a generative transformer with a competing-risk head to jointly predict future mental and physical health events and their timing. The model captures long-range, nonlinear dependencies that conventional survival models cannot.

The study aims to quantify how depressive episodes reshape subsequent chronic disease risk—and vice versa—while identifying interpretable temporal signals that drive long-term psychosomatic trajectories.

Professor S Chen, School of Public Health

Professor Chen Shanquan Shaun is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Community Medicine and Public Health Practice, School of Public Health at the University of Hong Kong, and an Extraordinary Associate Professor at Stellenbosch University, South Africa. His research focuses on mental health, dementia, and ageing, integrating epidemiology and health economics to address major challenges in population health. He applies innovative methodologies—including longitudinal studies, randomised controlled trials, and advanced data analytics—to inform equitable health policies and improve care for vulnerable populations.

Professor Chen has published extensively in leading international journals, including JAMA Psychiatry, Nature Mental Health, The Lancet Regional Health – Western Pacific, BMC Medicine, and EClinicalMedicine. As first author, his work has examined temporal trends in dementia risk factors, the impact of living costs on mental health service utilisation, and the integration of machine learning into life-course epidemiology to enhance early detection and prevention strategies.

He has also served as a consultant for the World Bank and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), contributing to global initiatives that promote health equity and disability inclusion. Previously, Professor Chen was Deputy Director of the Centre for Data and Statistical Science for Health at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and the European China Health Economics and Outcomes Research Association, fostering cross-regional collaboration in global health research.

Biography
shanquan@hku.hk

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:

1. your CV,
2. a brief description of your research interest and experience, and
3. 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.