King-cheong LAM | Molecular Biology | Best Researcher Award

Dr. King-cheong LAM | Molecular Biology | Best Researcher Award

Senior Lecturer, at The School of Professional Education and Executive Development (SPEED), The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong.

Dr. LAM King-cheong Antony is a seasoned academic currently serving as a Senior Lecturer in the Division of Science, Engineering and Health Studies at the College of Professional and Continuing Education (CPCE), The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. With a rich interdisciplinary background in physics and engineering education, Dr. Lam has consistently contributed to innovative teaching methods and research initiatives. His career journey from a secondary school teacher to a respected university lecturer is marked by dedication to student development, academic leadership, and community outreach. ๐Ÿ“˜ His roles as Programme Leader and Co-Investigator in prestigious funded projects reflect his commitment to applied research and educational advancement. Through his work in nanotechnology, sustainable energy, and smart sensor systems, Dr. Lam exemplifies a professional devoted to shaping the future of science education and technology for sustainable urban living. ๐ŸŒฑ

Professional Profile

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ORCID

๐ŸŽ“ Education

Dr. Antony Lamโ€™s academic path is built on a solid foundation in science and education. ๐ŸŽ“ He earned his Doctor of Philosophy from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University in 2017, where he focused on gas sensing materials using graphene-based composites. Prior to that, he completed his Master of Philosophy (2008) and Bachelor of Science in Physics (2005) at The University of Hong Kong, establishing his grounding in physical sciences. Recognizing the importance of pedagogy in science, he also pursued a Postgraduate Diploma in Education from The University of Hong Kong in 2010, equipping himself with the skills to bridge research and teaching. This rare blend of scientific rigor and educational expertise empowers him to mentor students and lead cross-disciplinary research with confidence. ๐Ÿง  His training has laid the foundation for a career devoted to both scientific discovery and academic development.

๐Ÿ’ผ Experience

Dr. Lamโ€™s professional career spans across secondary and tertiary education sectors. ๐Ÿซ From 2007 to 2012, he began his journey as a science teacher at Heung To Secondary School (TKO), where he nurtured young minds with enthusiasm for physics. In 2018, he transitioned to higher education as a Lecturer at CPCE, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, and was promoted to Senior Lecturer in 2024. Over the years, Dr. Lam has taken on several key academic leadership roles, including Programme Leader for Associate in Engineering and Higher Diploma in Aircraft Services Engineering, and Assistant Programme Leader for the BEng (Hons) in Mechanical Engineering. ๐Ÿ’ผ These positions not only reflect his pedagogical expertise but also his capability in curriculum innovation and academic governance. Dr. Lamโ€™s dedication to bridging practical engineering with academic training is central to his career mission of advancing applied science education. โš™๏ธ

๐Ÿ”ฌ Research Interests

Dr. Lamโ€™s research interests lie at the intersection of nanotechnology, green energy, sustainable materials, and smart sensing systems. ๐ŸŒ His work explores the fabrication of advanced materials such as tin-based perovskites, graphene composites, and aluminum-ion batteries to enhance energy efficiency and sensor capabilities. A significant part of his research addresses real-world sustainability challengesโ€”ranging from developing natural fiber/concrete composites for eco-friendly buildings to ionic-liquid-based gas sensors for smart cities. ๐Ÿ™๏ธ He is also actively investigating thermal and mechanical properties of biomaterials, including mycelium-based composites for biomedical applications. His interdisciplinary approach combines physics, chemistry, and engineering to produce applicable technologies for energy and healthcare sectors. Through multiple funded projects and international conferences, Dr. Lam has established himself as a researcher committed to translational science for societal impact. ๐ŸŒฑ

๐Ÿ… Awards

Dr. Lamโ€™s research excellence has earned him both institutional recognition and competitive external grants. ๐Ÿ† In 2023, he received the KML Third Prize (HK$200,000) from the Koo Meng Li and Koo Mi Wen Na Charitable Foundation Limited for his project on natural fiber/concrete composites for sustainable buildings. He has been a Principal Investigator and Co-Investigator in numerous high-impact projects, including a nearly HK$1 million RGC-funded project on mycelium-based insoles for diabetic care. ๐Ÿ’ฐ These awards and grants highlight his innovative work in sustainable technology and material science. Dr. Lamโ€™s recognition not only reflects his technical acumen but also his leadership in building collaborative, real-world solutions. His consistent involvement in cutting-edge research underscores his role as a forward-thinking academic in science and engineering education. ๐Ÿงช

๐Ÿ“š Top Noted Publications

Dr. Lam has contributed to a number of peer-reviewed journals and conferences in the fields of materials science, physics, and engineering education. His most cited works involve graphene-based sensors, perovskite solar cells, and AR learning systems. ๐Ÿ“– His publication list includes:

1. Ahmed, S. B., Kan, H. W., Lam, K. C., & Yip, C. T. (2025)

Title: Charge-induced isomerization in alkyl imine molecular motors: a reduced energy barrier approach
Journal: RSC Advances, 15(10), 8053โ€“8059.

  • Focus: Investigates charge-induced isomerization mechanisms in alkyl imine-based molecular motors.

  • Contribution: Proposes a novel approach to reducing the energy barrier for directional motion.

  • Significance: Offers insights into molecular machines and nanoscale actuation.

2. Wang, Y. D., et al., incl. Lam, K. C. (2024)

Title: Direct manipulation of diffusion in colloidal glasses via quasi-particle-like defects
Journal: Physical Review E, 110(6), 064603.

  • Focus: Explores defect-driven dynamics in colloidal glasses.

  • Contribution: Demonstrates how quasi-particle-like defects can directly control diffusion.

  • Significance: Advances fundamental understanding of amorphous materials and soft matter physics.

3. Li, K. C., Lam, K. C., et al. (2024)

Title: Designing ultrathin ferromagnetic nanowires for Majorana mode studies
Journal: Results in Physics, Article ID 107322.

  • Focus: Investigates ferromagnetic nanowires for potential topological quantum computing applications.

  • Contribution: Proposes new nanowire designs optimized for stabilizing Majorana zero modes.

  • Significance: Supports progress in solid-state quantum computation.

4. Lo, K., Ng, J., Chau, & Lam, A. (2023)

Title: AR-based mobile learning for electrical fundamentals
Journal: Journal of Online Engineering Education, 14(2), 01โ€“12.

  • Focus: Combines augmented reality (AR) with mobile learning for engineering education.

  • Contribution: Assesses effectiveness of interactive AR tools for teaching basic electrical concepts.

  • Significance: Enhances engagement and learning outcomes in STEM education.

5. Lam, K. C., Huang, B., & Shi, S. Q. (2017)

Title: Room-temperature methane gas sensing with graphene-SnOโ‚‚
Journal: Journal of Materials Chemistry A, 5, 11131โ€“11142.

  • Focus: Develops graphene-SnOโ‚‚ composites for methane sensing at ambient temperature.

  • Contribution: Demonstrates high sensitivity and fast response/recovery cycles.

  • Significance: Highly cited (over 300 citations on Google Scholar)โ€”a foundational paper in gas sensor development using nanomaterials.

Conclusion

Dr. LAM King-cheong Antony is highly suitable for consideration for a Best Researcher Award. His record showcases a consistent trajectory of impactful, interdisciplinary research, successful funding, academic service, and innovation. With growing momentum in both fundamental and applied sciences, and continued leadership within CPCE, he exemplifies the qualities of a committed and forward-thinking researcher. Acknowledging him with such an award would recognize not only his past achievements but also encourage his ongoing contributions to science and engineering.

Matija Rijavec | Genetics | Best Researcher Award

Assist Prof Dr . Matija Rijavec | Genetics | Best Researcher Award

Development and Research Associate , University Clinic Golnik , Slovenia.

Matija Rijavec is a Development and Research Associate, serving as an Assistant Professor at the University Clinic for Respiratory and Allergic Diseases Golnik and the Biotechnical Faculty at the University of Ljubljana, Slovenia. His expertise lies in the fields of immunology and genetics, particularly related to complex diseases such as hereditary angioedema, asthma, and cystic fibrosis. Throughout his career, Matija has led several research projects, contributed to clinical guidelines, and authored numerous scientific publications.

Profile

ORCiD

Education

๐ŸŽ“ Matija completed his B.Sc. in Microbiology in 2004 and Ph.D. in Biomedicine in 2010 at the Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana. His academic achievements were recognized with the Krka prize for his Ph.D. In 2015, Matija was promoted to Assistant Professor of Immunology at the Biotechnical Faculty, reflecting his commitment to academia and research.

Professional Experience

๐Ÿงช Over his career, Matija has been involved in five completed research projects (leading one) and four ongoing projects (also leading one). His collaborative work includes contributions to the Hereditary Angioedema Variant Curation Expert Panel (HAE VCEP), part of the Clinical Genome Resource (ClinGen). In addition to research, he holds editorial roles in various esteemed journals, including Frontiers in Immunology and Human Gene.

Research Interests

๐Ÿ” Matija’s research focuses on the genetics and immunology of complex diseases such as allergy, hereditary angioedema, asthma, COPD, and cystic fibrosis. His work employs cutting-edge molecular biology techniques like DNA sequencing, PCR, and NGS, aiming to discover novel biomarkers for disease diagnosis and prediction.

Awards and Recognitions

๐Ÿ… Matija has earned several prestigious awards, including the Krka Prize for his Ph.D., three International Medis awards, and the ARIS award for Outstanding Scientific Achievements. He has also been recognized for his work at international conferences, receiving Best Poster awards at prominent events like the EAACI Workshop.

Publications

๐Ÿ“š Matija has published 78 scientific papers in high-impact journals, reflecting his significant contributions to immunology and genetics. Some of his notable publications include:

  • Rijavec, M., et al. (2023)“Genetic Markers in Hereditary Angioedema” Journal of Clinical Immunology โ€“ Cited by 58 articles.
  • Rijavec, M., et al. (2022)“Novel Biomarkers in Pulmonary Fibrosis” Respiratory Research โ€“ Cited by 45 articles.
  • Rijavec, M., et al. (2021)“Role of mRNA Profiles in Asthma” Frontiers in Immunology โ€“ Cited by 34 articles.

Conclusion

Matija Rijavec is an exceptionally qualified candidate for the Best Researcher Award based on his outstanding contributions to immunology, genetics, and molecular biology. His robust publication record, editorial appointments, leadership in research projects, and international recognition make him a strong contender. However, increasing his engagement in industry projects, patent filings, and book authorship could further solidify his candidacy.