Professor Hui-Ling Yen Associate Professor Faculty of Medicine HKU Scholars Hub

“Professor Yen obtained her PhD in Epidemiological Sciences from the University of Michigan. She is a public health virologist who performs her research in real-life environments, including hospitals, public locations, and wet markets to understand the spread of respiratory viruses. With her unique cross-disciplinary background as a veterinarian with a PhD in epidemiology and a post-doc in virology, Professor Yen has a towering presence in the control of zoonotic threats to humanity. Her pioneering studies of respiratory virus transmission led to important life-saving interventions to control viral spread. Her contributions lie at the foundation of effective control measures to control pandemic flu and COVID. Web of Science listed Professor Yen among the world’s most highly cited researchers in 2022 and 2023. Professor Yen’s stature was recognized internationally. Besides leading collaborative research for eleven international laboratories that standardised the ferret model for influenza risk assessment, she served as a member at different working groups of the World Health Organization (WHO), including the “WHO Working Group on Surveillance of Antiviral Susceptibility of Influenza Viruses”, “Guideline Development Group for WHO Guidelines for the Clinical Management of Severe illness from Influenza Virus Infections” and “Working group on Global Technical Consultation Report on Proposed Terminology for Pathogens that Transmit Through the Air”. Professor Yen is a phenomenal teacher, she led the creation of a new module for MBBS students on One Health to upgrade the medical curriculum in the area of global health. She also serves as a member in the recruitment committee of the School of Public Health.”