tuan cuhk

Recently, the Council of The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) unanimously approved the appointment of McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine Associate Director Rocky Tuan, PhD, as the eighth Vice-Chancellor and President of CUHK for a period of 6 years from 1 January 2018.

Born in Hong Kong, Dr. Tuan is a world leading biomedical scientist specializing in stem cell science and regenerative medicine.  He is currently the Distinguished Professor and Executive Vice-Chairman in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Arthur J. Rooney, Sr. Chair in Sports Medicine, Director of the Center for Cellular and Molecular Engineering, Founding Director of the Center for Military Medicine Research, and Professor in the Department of Bioengineering, at the University of Pittsburgh.

Dr. Tuan is well acquainted with higher education in Hong Kong.  He previously served as a member, then Chairman, of the Biology and Medicine Panel of the Hong Kong Research Grants Council.  Since 2016, Dr. Tuan has been serving as Distinguished Visiting Professor and Director of the Institute for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine at CUHK.

The Council Chairman, Dr. Norman Leung said, “The Council is very delighted to have Professor Tuan at the helm of the University to take it into new realms of achievement.  As a comprehensive research University, CUHK needs a visionary leader of distinguished academic standing and with a profound understanding of local and global higher education and research systems to be the Vice-Chancellor and President.  Professor Rocky Tuan is a perfect match.  We are confident that Professor Tuan will take CUHK to levels of distinction even more remarkable than those of its past.”

Foster Education and Research Excellence at the University

Dr. Tuan remarked, “It is indeed my honor to be appointed the Vice-Chancellor and President of CUHK, a university I hold in the highest esteem.  CUHK is an internationally renowned comprehensive research university with a long history of general education, which places integrated emphasis on formal learning experience and whole-person education. I look forward to working with the University community to nurture and cultivate these unique characteristics of CUHK, while at the same time, fostering its teaching and research excellence.”  He added, “My primary goal is to lead CUHK in a way that gives further strength to its education and its excellence in research and engagement.  I will do my utmost to achieve this.”

World-renowned Biomedical Scientist

Dr. Tuan’s longstanding research activities in musculoskeletal biology and tissue regeneration, carried out in academia as well as at the U.S. National Institutes of Health, cover basic science and engineering, as well as translational and clinical applications.  Widely known for his expertise in skeletal tissue engineering and regeneration, Dr. Tuan’s research has made significant contributions to the understanding of and potential solutions to pressing clinical needs.

At present, Dr. Tuan directs a multidisciplinary research program, which focuses on orthopaedic research as a study of the biological activities that are important for the development, growth, function, and health of musculoskeletal tissues, and the utilization of this knowledge to develop technologies that will regenerate and/or restore function to diseased and damaged skeletal tissues. Ongoing research projects are directed towards multiple aspects of skeletal and related biology, including skeletal development, stem cells, growth factor signaling, bone-biomaterial interaction, cell-extracellular matrix interaction, nanotechnology, biomaterials, 3D printing, mechanobiology, regenerative medicine, tissue engineering, and microphysiological tissue chips.  His research team utilizes an integrated experimental approach that combines contemporary technologies of biochemistry, cell and molecular biology, embryology and development, cellular imaging, and bioengineering.

Congratulations, Dr. Tuan!

Illustration:  Dr. Rocky Tuan, Vice-Chancellor and President Designate (left) and Dr. Norman Leung, Chairman of the University Council, CUHK.

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The Chinese University of Hong Kong Press Release