UM Faculty of Health Sciences Awards Best Teacher Awards for the 2023/2024 Academic Year

The Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Macau awarded the 2023/2024 Best Teacher Awards to four faculty members recently, recognising their exemplary contributions in teaching, research, and service. The awards were presented by Dean Chuxia Deng, who expressed his heartfelt congratulations to the awardees. The awardees are: Prof Chris Koon Ho WONG (Excellence in Teaching), Prof Wenhua ZHENG (Excellence in Research), Prof Ruiyu XIE (Excellence in Service) and Prof Xuanjun ZHANG (All Round Performance).

Prof Chris Koon Ho WONG is a dedicated educator who employs diverse teaching methods—including case analysis, interactive discussions, and practical exercises—to help students effectively bridge the gap between theory and practice. He actively integrates cutting-edge research findings into his teaching, ensuring students remain at the forefront of knowledge. Prof. Wong is committed to fostering individualized student development, frequently engaging in one-on-one mentoring to address unique learning needs and challenges, while offering tailored guidance to unlock their full potential. Beyond the classroom, Prof. Wong is a highly accomplished researcher who leads a team of talented and hardworking students. His research focuses on deciphering the intricate mechanisms of gene regulation and fungal biology, achieving groundbreaking progress through innovative approaches. Notably, many of his students have been invited to present their work at major international scientific conferences and one of his doctoral students was recognized with the prestigious 2022 Macao Science and Technology Award (Technological R&D Award for Postgraduates), testaments to Prof. Wong’s exceptional mentorship and the excellence of his research contributions.

Prof Wenhua ZHENG has made remarkable achievements in academia. He holds multiple honorary titles, including Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology in the UK and Honorary Professor at the University of Queensland (QS45) in Australia. Prof Zheng has published over 150 SCI papers, with more than 6,500 citations, and holds multiple patents. His research has elucidated the roles of the PI3K/AKT/FoxO3a signaling pathways in neuronal apoptosis and neuroprotection. He was the first to use primary cultured neurons from the septal area to demonstrate the relationship between Aβ, Tau phosphorylation, and cholinergic neurons. Prof Zheng originally discovered the neuroprotective effects of artemisinin (a clinical antimalarial drug), showing that it can effectively prevent and treat neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease at doses much lower than those used for malaria treatment. These findings demonstrates the potential of artemisinin and its derivatives as central and peripheral neuroprotective agents.

As the Co-chair of the University’s Animal Ethics Committee, Animal Research Core Facility Advisory Committee, and Associate Head of the Department of Biomedical Sciences, Prof Ruiyu Xie demonstrates outstanding leadership in academic administration and ethical governance. Committed to improving research conditions for experimental animals, she led the development of an online application system for animal ethics protocols. Prof Xie prioritises a student-centered approach, using various teaching methods and classroom activities to encourage active participation and exploration in the learning process. Through practices such as hands-on activities, discussions, exchanges, and reflections, students are guided towards a deeper understanding and application of knowledge. Her research explores the critical role of epigenetic regulatory mechanisms in development and cancer, systematically mapping the dynamic network of epigenetic modifiers during endodermal lineage differentiation. She also investigates how epigenetic factors regulate metabolism in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, identifying multiple potential targets for cancer therapy.

As Assistant Dean (Student Affairs), Prof Xuanjun ZHANG has made significant contributions to student services. He collaborates closely with colleges, the Student Affairs Office, and the FHS Student Association to understand students’ needs and provide personalised guidance and support. He is dedicated to enhancing students’ enthusiasm for learning and overall quality, frequently organising various student activities, academic workshops and symposiums to offer students rich learning and exchange opportunities. With extensive experience in the design of chemical tools, Prof Zhang has developed a series of high-performance molecular probes and nanosensors for detecting toxic substances and imaging bio-related molecules and ions in living cells and animals. His team has developed a series of highly effective molecular probes and nanosensors for bioimaging, sensing, and theranostics.

During the award ceremony, Dean Deng highlighted the awardees’ exemplary performance and selfless dedication, noting that their achievements set a benchmark for the faculty and inspire other faculty members and students to pursue excellence. He expressed his gratitude for their passionate contributions and conveyed his anticipation for their continued success in the future.