Congratulations to Prof. ZHANG Qian, Acting Head of Division of Integrative Systems and Design, and Prof. ZHU Pengyu, Associate Professor of Division of Public Policy on being awarded the Research Grants Council (RGC) Senior Research Fellow Scheme and Research Fellow Scheme 2024/25 respectively!

Prof. ZHANG was acknowledged for her research on contactless sensing frameworks for healthcare under the Sciences, Medicine, Engineering and Technology Panel, while Prof. ZHU was bestowed his studies on four critical systems for urban and regional development under the Humanities, Social Sciences and Business Studies Panel. 

This recognition from the RGC is a testament to the exceptional research and contributions of Prof. ZHANG and Prof. ZHU within their respective expertise. Please join us in celebrating their achievement! 

Senior Research Fellow Scheme
Prof. ZHANG Qian 
Project Title: A Framework for Human-Centric Contactless Sensing Using mmWave Signals

Abstract
Hong Kong's aging population challenges elderly care services. Government prioritizes home care over institutional care, prompting the need for smart solutions like AI and IoT. However, existing wearable and surveillance cameras have limitations.

Millimeter wave (mmWave) radar technology offers accurate, non-contact monitoring with better privacy protection. By developing a human-centric sensing framework using mmWave, this project aims to overcome current radar system challenges and provide personalized healthcare. The innovative approach includes developing advanced radar systems with a cascade design that embeds computation, communication, and storage resources; quality with reconfigurable intelligent surface and virtual antenna array techniques; utilizing networked mmWave sensors for broader coverage and context-aware sensing; and designing AI algorithms tailored for mmWave sensing that consider the physical characteristics of mmWave signals and information enrichment from other modalities. The success of this project will enhance long-term care services, promote smart home applications, and drive growth in the smart home industry.

Research Fellow Scheme
Prof. ZHU Pengyu 
Project Title: Regional Science and Complex Systems: A Five-year Research Plan on Transportation, Land Use, Labor, and Innovation Systems

Abstract
The places people inhabit today are comprised of many complex systems. This research project explores the complex interactions of four critical systems for urban and regional development: transportation, land use, labor, and innovation. The first research stream examines the non-linear spatial and temporal impacts of high-speed rail (HSR) on land use and values, and the heterogeneity and spillover of these impacts, using historical data and recent transaction records along with machine learning to estimate the relationship between the transportation system and land use system. The second stream investigates how connections to HSR and air transport networks impact patent dropout rates, offering insights into how transportation facilitates innovation through increased competition. The third stream analyzes the effects of recent Land Management Right Mortgage Reform in rural China on labor misallocation and farmers’ welfare. The research findings will inform policies and interventions that promote efficient, sustainable, and inclusive urban and regional development.
 

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