School of Clinical Medicine – Department of Paediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, The University of Hong Kong (HKU)
At the Department of Paediatrics & Adolescent Medicine (Paed), HKU, I served as a Research Assistant, pivotally supporting paediatric immunology and infectious diseases research by seamlessly blending graphic design, research communication, and project management expertise. My work focused on transforming complex scientific findings—such as vaccine efficacy, antibody responses, and T-cell activity—into visually compelling and accessible formats, enhancing engagement with diverse audiences, including medical professionals, researchers, and the public. Additionally, I contributed to high-profile events and provided operational support for clinical trials, demonstrating my ability to thrive in structured, high-stakes environments.
A significant aspect of my role involved leveraging my graphic design skills to create practical and visually engaging materials. For example, I designed bilingual directional materials to ensure clear navigation for English and Chinese-speaking visitors, such as those attending the Inaugural Advanced APSID IEI School 2023. By refining research-related images and graphics, I enhanced the clarity and professionalism of scientific outputs, making them suitable for academic publications, presentations, and public outreach.
Key Contributions
Research Communication & Design
Visual Storytelling: Designed reports, infographics, and presentations to simplify complex research for diverse audiences.
- Created bilingual directional guides (e.g., Clinic Directions) for HKUMed events, improving navigation for English and Chinese-speaking visitors.
- Polished data visualizations (e.g., S IgG, S-RBD IgG, T-cell activity) for studies like COVID-19 Vaccination in Children and Adolescents.
- Produced internal graphics for clinic preparations and presentations.
- Designed a promotional movie for World primary immunodeficiencies (PID) Week 2023 to spotlight inborn errors of immunity (IEI).
- Created bilingual directional guides (e.g., Clinic Directions) for HKUMed events, improving navigation for English and Chinese-speaking visitors.
- Polished data visualizations (e.g., S IgG, S-RBD IgG, T-cell activity) for studies like COVID-19 Vaccination in Children and Adolescents.
- Produced internal graphics for clinic preparations and presentations.
- Designed a promotional movie for World primary immunodeficiencies (PID) Week 2023 to spotlight inborn errors of immunity (IEI).
Event Management & Branding
Event Leadership: Spearheaded branding and logistics for the Inaugural Advanced APSID IEI School 2023, creating posters, brochures, and digital assets.
- Supported participant navigation with bilingual materials.
Outreach Impact: Developed multimedia for World PID Week 2024 to raise IEI awareness.
Professional Presentation: Crafted cohesive visuals aligned with research goals, such as IEI studies in Asia-Pacific.
- Supported participant navigation with bilingual materials.
Outreach Impact: Developed multimedia for World PID Week 2024 to raise IEI awareness.
Professional Presentation: Crafted cohesive visuals aligned with research goals, such as IEI studies in Asia-Pacific.
Clinical & Research Support
Trial Operations: Provided logistical and administrative support for clinical trials, ensuring efficiency and ethical compliance.
- COVAC Study: Managed documentation comparing intradermal (ID) vs. intramuscular (IM) CoronaVac administration.
- Biological Impact of Iberdomide: Supported workflows to assess its potential in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
Research Projects: Contributed to:
- Inborn Errors of Immunity (IEI): Linked type I IFN defects to severe COVID-19 outcomes.
- C2orf69 Mutations: Managed data on mitochondrial dysfunction.
- STAT6 Mutations: Documented TH2 enhancements in atopic disorders.
Efficiency: Handled financial aid processes and study coordination.
- COVAC Study: Managed documentation comparing intradermal (ID) vs. intramuscular (IM) CoronaVac administration.
- Biological Impact of Iberdomide: Supported workflows to assess its potential in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
Research Projects: Contributed to:
- Inborn Errors of Immunity (IEI): Linked type I IFN defects to severe COVID-19 outcomes.
- C2orf69 Mutations: Managed data on mitochondrial dysfunction.
- STAT6 Mutations: Documented TH2 enhancements in atopic disorders.
Efficiency: Handled financial aid processes and study coordination.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Outreach Synergy: Partnered with researchers and clinicians to broaden impact.
- Integrated design into HKUMed guides for accessibility.
- Collaborated on the MMR Vaccine Failure Study to share findings with public health stakeholders.
- Integrated design into HKUMed guides for accessibility.
- Collaborated on the MMR Vaccine Failure Study to share findings with public health stakeholders.
Research Studies:
Childhood-Onset Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (cSLE)
Pathogenesis of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)
Biological Impact of Iberdomide
COVID-19 Vaccination in Children and Adolescents
Pathogenesis of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)
Biological Impact of Iberdomide
COVID-19 Vaccination in Children and Adolescents
Inborn Errors of Immunity (IEI)
C2orf69 Mutations
STAT6 Mutations
MMR Vaccine Failure Study
MMR Vaccine Failure Study
Brief Explanations:
Superior antibody and membrane protein-specific T-cell responses to CoronaVac by intradermal versus intramuscular routes in adolescents
COVID-19 Vaccination in Children and Adolescents:
- Studies aim to optimize vaccine immunogenicity and protection.
- Compares intradermal (ID) versus intramuscular (IM) administration of CoronaVac.
- ID CoronaVac can elicit superior antibody and membrane protein-specific T-cell responses in adolescents.
- While ID may cause more local, mild adverse reactions, it can enhance the immune response.
- Research includes assessing long-term immunogenicity and impact on specific pediatric groups.
- The COVAC01 study investigates reactogenicity, immunogenicity, and safety of various COVID-19 vaccines (BNT162b2, CoronaVac) using different routes.
COVID-19 Vaccination in Children and Adolescents:
- Studies aim to optimize vaccine immunogenicity and protection.
- Compares intradermal (ID) versus intramuscular (IM) administration of CoronaVac.
- ID CoronaVac can elicit superior antibody and membrane protein-specific T-cell responses in adolescents.
- While ID may cause more local, mild adverse reactions, it can enhance the immune response.
- Research includes assessing long-term immunogenicity and impact on specific pediatric groups.
- The COVAC01 study investigates reactogenicity, immunogenicity, and safety of various COVID-19 vaccines (BNT162b2, CoronaVac) using different routes.
STAT6 Mutations:
* Gain-of-function mutations in STAT6 result in an enhanced TH2 signature.
* These mutations are associated with primary atopic disorders.
* Gain-of-function mutations in STAT6 result in an enhanced TH2 signature.
* These mutations are associated with primary atopic disorders.
MMR Vaccine Failure Study:
- A protocol designed to investigate the epidemiology of MMR vaccine failure in young adults in Hong Kong.
- Objectives include determining the prevalence of primary and secondary measles and rubella vaccine failure after two doses.
- Aims to evaluate the immunogenicity of an MMR booster in individuals with low antibody levels.
- Seeks to investigate the seroepidemiology of measles in adults.
- A protocol designed to investigate the epidemiology of MMR vaccine failure in young adults in Hong Kong.
- Objectives include determining the prevalence of primary and secondary measles and rubella vaccine failure after two doses.
- Aims to evaluate the immunogenicity of an MMR booster in individuals with low antibody levels.
- Seeks to investigate the seroepidemiology of measles in adults.
Childhood-Onset Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (cSLE):
- Focuses on treat-to-target (T2T) strategies to control disease progression.
- Aims to prevent organ damage and improve quality of life.
- Studies therapy duration and flare risks in lupus nephritis.
- Examines glucocorticoid exposure and its long-term effects.
- Focuses on treat-to-target (T2T) strategies to control disease progression.
- Aims to prevent organ damage and improve quality of life.
- Studies therapy duration and flare risks in lupus nephritis.
- Examines glucocorticoid exposure and its long-term effects.
Pathogenesis of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE):
- Investigates causes, mechanisms, and treatment targets.
- Explores autoimmunity and inflammation affecting organs.
- Identifies environmental risks (e.g., SARS-CoV-2, lifestyle).
- Studies immune responses like TLR7 activation and type I interferon production.
- Investigates causes, mechanisms, and treatment targets.
- Explores autoimmunity and inflammation affecting organs.
- Identifies environmental risks (e.g., SARS-CoV-2, lifestyle).
- Studies immune responses like TLR7 activation and type I interferon production.
Biological Impact of Iberdomide:
- Assesses iberdomide’s potential in treating active SLE.
- Examines immune modulation and disease reduction.
- Focuses on its mechanisms and clinical results.
- Assesses iberdomide’s potential in treating active SLE.
- Examines immune modulation and disease reduction.
- Focuses on its mechanisms and clinical results.
Inborn Errors of Immunity (IEI):
- Explains infection risks and immune issues.
- Links type I IFN defects to severe COVID-19 and prolonged viral shedding.
- Identifies new IEIs in Asia-Pacific.
- Connects some IEIs to Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C).
- Explains infection risks and immune issues.
- Links type I IFN defects to severe COVID-19 and prolonged viral shedding.
- Identifies new IEIs in Asia-Pacific.
- Connects some IEIs to Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C).
C2orf69 Mutations:
- Disrupts mitochondrial function.
- Causes multisystem disorders with recurring inflammation.
- Disrupts mitochondrial function.
- Causes multisystem disorders with recurring inflammation.
Election of APSID Executive Board 2024
Part of Clinical trials materials
Some of the promotion video of World PID Week 2024
Paediatric clinical study held by HKUMed Paed and Healthy Seed, initiated and funded by the Lo Ying Shek Chi Wai Foundation to launch "Healthy Seed Happy Baby App 慈慧幼苗親子寶寶樂 that fills up the service gap in Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) in Hong Kong.