Research Projects
Multimodal Imaging Approaches to Investigate the Association Between Retinal Phenotypes and Systemic Diseases


Programme(s) to which this project applies:
☑ MPhil/PhD ☒ MRes[Med] ☑ URIS

Ocular imaging provides a unique, non-invasive window into systemic health. The retina shares embryological, anatomical, and microvascular characteristics with the brain and cardiovascular system, making it a powerful platform for studying systemic diseases—including cardiovascular and neurodegenerative disorders.

This project aims to leverage large-scale population datasets integrating advanced multimodal retinal imaging (e.g., OCT, fundus photography, imaging-derived quantitative traits) with rich clinical and systemic phenotypic data. By combining imaging biomarkers with clinical traits, the project will:

  • Identify retinal signatures associated with systemic disease risk and progression
  • Develop and validate risk stratification models for early detection
  • Explore causal relationships using advanced statistical and computational approaches
  • Inform preventive strategies and targeted interventions in at-risk populations

Through the integration of imaging science, epidemiology, and data-driven methodologies, this project seeks to advance the role of ocular biomarkers in precision medicine and population health.

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.

Biography
HKU Scholars Hub
ORCID
yyrleung@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. 

Research @ Department of Ophthalmology