Professor Zhang Hongjie joined the School of Chinese Medicine (SCM) at Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) in 2011. Currently serving as Associate Dean (Teaching and Learning) at SCM and Director of its Teaching and Research Division, he has been bridging traditional Chinese medical practices with cutting-edge scientific research. Graduating from the Kunming Institute of Botany of the Chinese Academy of Sciences with a Doctoral degree in 1994, Professor Zhang subsequently carried out post-doctoral research at the University of Illinois Chicago’s College of Pharmacy.
Throughout his career, Professor Zhang’s key focus has been on the integration and modernisation of Chinese medicine, especially through the phytochemical investigation of traditional medicinal plants.
His specialisation in developing novel anticancer and antiviral therapies from medicinal plants has considerably advanced the development of Chinese medicine. His groundbreaking work involves utilising a rigorous approach to the phytochemical investigation of traditional medicinal plants, uncovering potent compounds such as miliusanes, cyclopeptides and arylnaphthalene lignans, and bolstering their therapeutic potential as antitumor and antiviral lead molecules. His development of a high-throughput antiviral screening system has been instrumental in testing the efficacy of compounds against significant viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, HIV and influenza viruses.
Professor Zhang has made significant contributions to the global pool of medicinal chemistry with his discovery of more than 500 novel molecules. In addition, Professor Zhang and his team have evaluated over 5,000 plant extracts, identifying numerous extracts with potent biological activities that contribute significantly to the field of natural drug development. His research findings have secured more than 40 patents in major markets worldwide, thereby enhancing the commercial potential of his research findings.
His scholarly contributions, comprising more than 190 peer-reviewed journal articles, many of them in high-impact journals of his field like the Journal of Natural Products and the Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, highlight the relevance and profound impact of his work within the scientific community. Furthermore, Professor Zhang has successfully secured multiple General Research Fund (GRF) grants and substantial funding from both the Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC) and the Health and Medical Research Fund (HMRF). These funds have been crucial in advancing his research and fostering an environment at HKBU rich in scientific inquiry and innovation. Professor Zhang also actively engages in knowledge transfer with his entrepreneurial venture in Hong Kong, Gihon Biotech, which bridges between traditional remedies and modern scientific applications by producing cosmetic products formulated with small molecules derived from traditional Chinese medicine.
Professor Zhang is committed to deepening the exploration of natural products’ therapeutic potentials, integrating cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning to enhance the efficiency of drug development. His active participation in a variety of research and education related advisory and executive committees helps to play a crucial role in shaping the policy and curriculum of Chinese medical education. Moreover, Professor Zhang has demonstrated his leadership in fostering international collaborations and knowledge transfer, thereby significantly boosting the international stature of HKBU and the broader field of Chinese medicine. His proactive involvement in filing patents for new medical technologies and knowledge transfer agreements illustrates his commitment to advancing research and development within the biomedical sector. In 2017, Professor Zhang was honoured by HKBU with its President’s Award for Outstanding Performance in Scholarly Work in recognition of his contributions to the academia and his leadership in research.
Professor Zhang’s exceptional contributions to the biomedical sciences and education have garnered him considerable global recognition. Notably, he has been listed among the World’s Top 2% Scientists by Stanford University for three consecutive years, from 2021 to 2023. This prestigious acknowledgement recognises his significant impact in the field of natural drug discovery.
Updated as at 1 August 2024
“Chinese medicine has been used for several thousand years in the prevention and treatment of illnesses, making a significant contribution to public health and the world’s medical science. It is still widely practised in the modern world and sheds light on diseases that are difficult to cure at present. Through the establishment of this endowed professorship, it is hoped that more innovative and significant research related to Chinese medicine can be conducted at HKBU. I believe the integration of this ancient wisdom with modern medical science will create notable benefits for humanity.”
