Prof. Anderson Shum received the 15th Guanghua Engineering Science and Technology Award from the Chinese Academy of Engineering
On 25 June 2024, Professor Anderson Ho Cheung SHUM, Centre Director of the Advanced Biomedical Instrumentation Centre (ABIC), received the 15th Guanghua Engineering Science and Technology Award from the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE) for his distinguished achievements and important contributions in the fields of engineering science and technology, and engineering management. The biennial award is regarded as the most prestigious in Chinese engineering industry.
Prof. Shum expressed deep gratitude, stating that this honor represents a testament to the collective accomplishment of his team and collaborators. Emphasizing the team’s potential for continuous growth and development, he aspires to maintain the mentality of “ten years of sharpening a sword” to further contribute to the advancement of science and technology.
The “Microfluidic Aqueous Two-Phase Systems” approach proposed and directed by Prof. Shum and his team have been instrumental to the advancement of droplet microfluidics technology in the disciplines of biomedical engineering, pharmaceutical development, and environmental monitoring, resolving biocompatibility issues that arise from the traditional “oil-water interfaces” with fundamental benefits to human health.
This all-aqueous system has a diverse array of potential applications, including the simulation of in-vivo environment of organisms for drug screening and disease diagnosis, useful for the discovery of novel materials and devices, such as organoids and micro-sensors, that are expected to resolve the pressing needs of “artificial cells” and other critical scientific challenges.
Moving forward, Prof. Shum and his team will continue to translate research through practical actions and innovative mindsets in developing high-quality medical instruments, with significant dedication to advancing science and technology, social development, and the well-being of individuals worldwide.
The Youngest Scientist Among All Awardees This Year
Ir Prof. Anderson Ho Cheung SHUM received his B.S.E. degree, summa cum laude, in Chemical Engineering from Princeton University, S.M. and Ph.D. degrees in Applied Physics from Harvard University. He is currently a Professor (Tenured) in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Associate Vice-President (Research and Innovation) at the University of Hong Kong (HKU). He also serves as the Centre Director of the Advanced Biomedical Instrumentation Centre, and Non-official Committee Member of the Committee on Innovation, Technology and Industry Development of Hong Kong SAR government. His research interests include aqueous two-phase systems, emulsions, biomicrofluidics, biomedical engineering, and soft matter.
Prof. Shum is highly recognized for his pioneering contributions, receiving international scientific honors including but not limited to: Awardee of RGC Senior Research Fellow Scheme (SRFS, 2024), Gold Medal and International Special Award in 8th International Invention Innovation Competition in Canada (iCAN, 2023), Gold Medal in 48th International Exhibition of Inventions (Geneva, Switzerland, 2023), the inaugural Hong Kong Engineering Science and Technology (HKEST) Award by the Hong Kong Academy of Engineering Sciences (HKAES, 2023), NSFC Excellent Young Scientist Fund (2019), IEEE Nanomed New Innovator (2018), HKU Outstanding Young Researcher Award (2016-17), HKU Research Output Prize (2017), and Early Career Award by the Research Grants Council of Hong Kong (2012). First in Hong Kong, Prof. Shum has been selected as Global Young Academy Member (since 2021).
He was also selected as Fellows of the International Association of Advanced Materials (FIAAM, 2023), Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (FHKIE, 2023), Royal Society of Chemistry (FRSC, 2017), Awardee of Croucher Senior Research Fellowship (2020), and as President (since 2021) and Founding Member (since 2018) of
Hong Kong Young Academy of Sciences. He currently serves as Editorial Board Member for Microsystems and Nanoengineering (Springer Nature), Scientific Reports (Springer Nature), and Colloids and Interfaces by MDPI AG, as well as Editorial Advisory Board Member for Lab-on-a-Chip (RSC) and Associate Editor for Biomicrofluidics (American Institute of Physics).
Guanghua Engineering Science and Technology Award
The Guanghua Engineering Science and Technology Award is an engineering science and technology award administered by the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE), and has been presented to Chinese engineering science and technology experts biennially since 1996 to commend their important contributions and outstanding achievements in the fields of engineering science and technology management.
It is also the most prestigious award in the Chinese engineering industry, categorized into nine divisions: Mechanical and Vehicle Engineering; Information and Electronics Engineering; Chemical, Metallurgical and Materials Engineering; Energy and Mining Engineering; Civil, Hydraulic and Architecture Engineering; Environment & Light and Textile Industries Engineering; Agriculture; Medicine and Health Engineering; and Engineering Management.
There have been 383 awardees and one group prize over 15 rounds of selection since the award was established. This year, 41 awardees were selected in total.