Chun Kit KWOK

• Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution, Shenzhen Research Institute, City University of Hong Kong
• Co-Chair, Policy Advisory Committee, Hong Kong Young Academy of Sciences (YASHK)
• Asian RNA Research Ambassador, RNA Society 

Dr. Kwok joined CityU in 2016 as an Assistant Professor, becoming Associate Professor in 2021. He received the CityU President's Award and Croucher Innovation Award in 2019, joined the State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution in 2020, and was elected to YASHK and recognized as a Rising Star in Chemistry in 2021. In 2022, he was awarded the NSFC Excellent Young Scientist Fund. (優青 (港澳)). 

Dr. Kwok’s research focus is to explore the role of RNA structures and interactions in biology, especially the functions of G-quadruplex structures/interactions and non-coding RNA structures/interactions in the mammalian transcriptome and their relevance to gene regulation, RNA metabolism and diseases. Two new research directions in the Kwok lab are to develop targeting tools for detection, imaging, intervention of these important RNA structures and interactions, as well as to invent innovative nucleic acid-based technologiesfor sensing chemical pollutants and pathogens. 

To cultivate a stimulating learning environment for students and to establish RNA community in Hong Kong, Dr. Kwok, together with Dr. Minh Le, has also  founded the Hong Kong RNA Club in Aug 2017 and organized RNA seminar and symposium events regularly.