Promoting research is one of the missions of HKCH to achieve excellence in paediatrics. We closely collaborate with universities for conducting basic and translational research on various paediatric and genetic diseases.

One of the initiatives is The D. H. Chen Foundation Clinical Research Fellowship Program, established with a generous donation from the Foundation. The first of its kind in the Hospital Authority, it aims to develop a structured mechanism to nurture research talents and stimulate ideas to benefit medical advancement and clinical practice.

A total of eight HKCH doctors will be selected under the program. They can conduct research for two years under the supervision of HKU / CUHK academic staff, and relieving manpower will be arranged to share their clinical duties. Apart from protected time, they also get research funding to implement their projects. The four fellows awarded share a common passion to embark on the research journey to benefit more patients.

▲Dr Dennis Ku

"Doing research is the dream of many clinical doctors. This program supports us to pursue this dream and promotes a research culture in the hospital." ── Dr Dennis Ku

Research Title:
Use 3D spheroid cell culture methods to identify the drug resistance mechanisms of atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumour (a rare childhood brain tumour) for better treatment

▲Dr Cheong Kai-ning

"An opportunity to integrate the hybrid role of a clinician-researcher with multi-disciplinary holistic care for precision medicine." ── Dr Cheong Kai-ning

Research Title:
Investigate the immune cell and gene expression profile of rheumatology patients to find out the characteristics associated with disease severity and treatment response

▲Dr Alvin Hui

"A good start for me to explore the research field and gain lab experience. I hope to produce satisfactory output and develop further upon this foundation." ── Dr Alvin Hui

Research Title:
Study the performance of urinary biomarkers and clinical parameters for early diagnosis of acute kidney injury among critically ill children

▲Dr Wilson Chan

"I hope to bring clinical research questions from bedside to bench and create our own research evidence that is applicable to the local population, so as to increase patients' survival rate." ── Dr Wilson Chan

Research Title:
Study how to enhance the cytotoxicity of natural killer cells against cancerous cells in children with high risk or refractory/relapse neuroblastoma post-haploidentical haematopoietic stem cell transplant

HKCH research snapshots:

• Research infrastructure such as research laboratories, clinical trial centre and data centre
• Dedicated research committees and office
• Up to $20 million from the Health & Medical Research Fund for HKCH to conduct commissioned paediatric research projects, in addition to the donation from The D. H. Chen Foundation