Research Projects
Respiratory infections and the pathogenesis of respiratory diseases

This project aims to investigate the role of respiratory infections in the pathogenesis of respiratory diseases. Respiratory infections, including lower respiratory tract infections and pleural infections, will be investigated on the effect of airway diseases, interstitial lung disease, and lung function. Students will learn to conduct analysis using STATA. 

Professor FKP Chan, Department of Medicine

Prof Florence Chan is a Clinical Assistant Professor in Division of Infectious Diseases and the Division of Respiratory Medicine at the University of Hong Kong. She obtained her MBBS degree in 2015, followed by Doctor of Medicine degree in 2025, both from the University of Hong Kong. She is a Visiting Researcher at Imperial College, London in 2024-2025.
 
Prof Chan's research interests include respiratory infections, epidemiological studies and the impact of environmental and human behavioural changes on respiratory and infectious diseases. Her research during the COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong advocated for universal masking as a preventive measure for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbation, leading to the subsequent update of “Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD)” guideline in 2022. 

Prof Chan has been awarded funding from the Health and Medical Research Fund Research Fellowship Scheme 2023, the Hong Kong Lung Foundation Research Grant 2024-2025 & 2025-2026, the Asian Pacific Society of Respirology Young Investigator Research Project Fund 2025 and the Hong Kong College of Physicians Young Investigator Research Grant 2025. She was a recipient of the Assembly Educational Award at the Asian Pacific Society of Respirology Congress in both 2023, 2024 and 2025. She received the Hong Kong College of Physicians Distinguished Research Paper Award for Young Investigator 2025. She was appointed as a Young Fellow Member of the Specialty Board in Respiratory Medicine in 2025 and editorial board member of Respirology in 2026.  

Biography
HKU Scholars Hub
ORCID
kpfchan@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.