Prof. LAO Xiangqian (勞向前)

Dr Lao obtained his medical degree (Bachelor of Medicine) from Sun Yat-sen Medical University and then served as a Public Health Physician for many years in the Guangzhou No.12 Renmin Hospital (aka Guangzhou Occupational Disease Prevention and Treatment Hospital). He further pursued his Master of Medical Science in Peking Union Medical College and Doctor of Philosophy in the University of Hong Kong, respectively. He then went to the United States and received training in Genetic Epidemiology as a Post-Doctoral Fellow at Duke Institute for Genome Science & Policy at Duke Medical Center. Before joining City University of Hong Kong in 2023, Dr Lao served as a Research Assistant Professor, Assistant Professor and Associate Professor (Tenured) at the JC School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong. 

Dr Lao’s research focuses on population health. One of his specialities is the development and coordination of large-scale cohort projects to systematically investigate research questions related to health effects of air pollution. He has published his research work in a number of leading medicine journals including Circulation, The Lancet Planetary Health, JACI, EHP, IJE, AJE, BJSM, CMAJ, BMC Medicine, Hypertension and Diabetologia. Dr Lao has been ranked as the top 2% of Most-cited Scientists by Stanford University since 2021. His research work has been widely reported in media and press such as Reuters, Associated Press, Newsweek and South China Morning Post. Dr Lao was invited by Hong Kong government to review Hong Kong’s Air Quality Objectives. His research work has contributed to the well-being of society by raising public awareness regarding the health effects of air pollution and guiding policy development in terms of air pollution control and physical exercise promotion.