Deon Chan

Senior Programme Manager, HKU
Rucha Benare (she/her)

Biomedical engineering research student, Trinity College Dublin

I am interested in the fields of mechanobiology, biohybrid prosthetics, biophysics, Jungian psychology, and philosophy. Recently in association with Laidlaw; In Cornell University (N.Y, U.S.A.) I worked on curating an art book on biomechanics for charity to raise awareness in this field of science. And in Trinity College Dublin (Ireland), we worked on developing a microphysiological model of the osteocytic network in the bone that can be used to better understand the (patho)physiology of bone using Direct Laser Writing technology using MLO-Y4 cell culture.  On the side; In ETH Zürich (Switzerland), I was working on understanding bio-hybrid muscle actuators using C2C12 cell culture by amassing literature review, designing biobot unit, and conducting biocompatibility tests along with growing and differentiating muscle cells for further electrical stimulation. At DogPatch Labs's Patch (Dublin, Ireland) I was experimenting with creating a start-up company to help amputees get affordable prosthetics.  On the (other) side; I like to dance, write, and read anything I get my hands on; be it music, poetry, or even shampoo bottles. Please feel free to contact me here or on LinkedIn for any discussions regarding the aforementioned topics!
Adrian PANG

Psychology & Global Health BASc Year 3, The University of Hong Kong

I am a year 3 student in the University of Hong Kong's interdisciplinary BASc(Global Health and Development) programme (hosted at the School of Public Health, LKS Faculty of Medicine, HKU) while pursuing a second major in Psychology. In the past year, I served as the chairperson of my programme's student society at HKU. My research engagement extends beyond the six-week attachment at University College London's ISEH in summer 2023 – after returning to Hong Kong, I am still working with the researchers at UCL to prepare a systematic review, and following up the results so far to combine with the continued effort back in the UK to write up a journal article for submission soon. Back in HKU, I have joined research labs in psychiatry and psychology departments, working on both statistical analyses and research project managements. More recently, I have led the organisation of a month-long summer research programme for high school students as part of my LiA with the research lab I have been working since Jan 2024. Besides what I have been immersing myself in research, I have a keen interest towards topics like inequality in society, our health, environmental and sustainable development studies. During secondary school years, I steered my school's flagship territory-wide primary school STREAM education initiative for two years and administered school student bodies of the discipline team, school history and gifted education team and took an active role in the environmental protection team. I was named one of the 2021 Hong Kong Outstanding Teens and was twice commended by the Education Bureau as an Outstanding Student Environmental Protection Ambassador. I endeavour to promote equality for underprivileged and underrepresented groups in society including ethnic minorities and enhance their upward social mobility. In 2022, I competed the in first Hong Kong Student Service Leaders Award organized by Dream Compassioneers, undertaking social service projects and was recognized with the title of the Top Ten Outstanding Student Service Leaders 2022. Last updated: July 2024