Dr. Chow is a molecular microbiologist with expertise in various research areas, including infectious diseases and host-pathogen interactions, small RNAs and extracellular vesicles, pathogen genomics with NGS/ONT sequencing technologies, and environmental microbiology under One Health approach.
Dr. Chow obtained his BSc in Biochemistry from the University of Hong Kong, where he also completed his MPhil research investigating the effects of C3 deficiency on mice fertility and fecundity. He then pursued his PhD in Microbiology at the same university, focusing on the role of dicer-dependent microRNA-like RNAs in the virulence of the thermal dimorphic pathogenic fungi Penicillium marneffei.After completing his PhD, Dr. Chow continued to expand his research portfolio with a postdoctoral position at the Institute of Infection and Immunology at the University of Edinburgh, where he investigated the siRNA guides on a secreted Argonaute protein in extracellular vesicles of a parasitic nematode. He then returned to Hong Kong in 2018 to study coronavirus and fungal pathogens in the lab of Prof. Susanna KP Lau at the Department of Microbiology, University of Hong Kong, before joining the Department of Health Technology and Informatics at PolyU as a Research Assistant Professor in 2021.
As a PI in PolyU, Dr. Chow investigates the complex interactions between pathogens and their hosts, focusing on the role of small RNAs and extracellular vesicles in these interactions. He also has extensive experience in using cutting-edge sequencing technologies to study the genomics of various pathogens for epidemiology and diagnostics. Additionally, Dr. Chow is committed to the One Health approach, which recognizes the interconnections between human, animal, and environmental health, and aims to develop holistic solutions to global health challenges.
Dr. Chow is dedicated to mentoring and training the next generation of scientists and fostering a collaborative and productive research environment.
