Stem Cell Biologist and Biotechnology Leader Driving Innovation in Healthy Aging and Regenerative Medicine

Healthcare

Stem Cell Biologist and Biotechnology Leader Driving Innovation in Healthy Aging and Regenerative Medicine

Professor Tom Cheung, a leading figure in stem cell biology and biotechnology, continues to shape the future of healthy aging and regenerative medicine through pioneering research, academic leadership, and mentorship. As the Associate Head (Research and Development) of the Division of Life Science and S H Ho Professor of Life Science at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), Prof. Cheung is driving transformative discoveries from the lab to real-world applications aimed at extending human healthspan.

Academic Leadership and Vision

After earning his PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Colorado at Boulder in 2006, Prof. Cheung completed postdoctoral training at Stanford University School of Medicine under the mentorship of renowned stem cell biologist Prof. Thomas Rando. Since joining HKUST in 2013, he has played a vital role in advancing the university’s life sciences research and innovation ecosystem.

In addition to his leadership as Associate Head, Prof. Cheung serves as Director of the Biotechnology Research Institute, Associate Director of the Biosciences Central Research Facility, and Assistant Center Director of the Hong Kong Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases. His strategic initiatives include leading international collaborations such as the HKUST–MGI Joint Research Center and the HKUST–Shanghai Sixth People’s Hospital Joint Research Center for Brain Science.

Scientific Contributions and Research Excellence

Prof. Cheung’s research focuses on the post-transcriptional regulation of stem cell function, using muscle stem cells as a model to understand tissue regeneration, disease progression, and aging mechanisms. By integrating multi-omics platforms, mouse genetics, and next-generation sequencing, his work seeks to uncover molecular pathways that can be targeted to treat degenerative diseases.

Beyond his laboratory work, Prof. Cheung is also an inspiring educator, teaching courses like Human Genetics and Personalized Medicine and mentoring young researchers through Workshops in Biosciences and Life Science Seminars at HKUST.

Global Recognition and Achievements

A prolific researcher, Prof. Cheung has authored over 40 papers in top-tier journals including Nature, Cell, Cell Stem Cell, Developmental Cell, and Nature Communications. His research has received more than 7,800 citations, reflecting his impact on the global scientific community, with an h-index of 31 and an i10-index of 46.

His numerous awards include the Croucher Innovation Award (2015) for molecular regulation of stem cell ageing, School Service Award (2020–2021), Healthy Longevity Catalyst Award (2023) for advancing cellular resilience, RGC Research Fellow Scheme (2024), and the Springer Nature Editor of Distinction Award (2025) from Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences.

A Scientist Beyond the Lab

Outside academia, Prof. Cheung finds creativity in cooking—a passion he compares to scientific experimentation for its precision and innovation. This balance of science and art continues to inspire his approach to problem-solving and discovery.