Chun Kit KWOK, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Department of Chemistry
City University of Hong Kong
Office: AC1-B6608
Lab: AC1-P2405
Phone: (852) 3442 6858
Fax: (852) 3442 0522
Email: ckkwok42@cityu.edu.hk
Twitter: @kitkwok6
Dr. Kit Kwok obtained his B.Sc. in Chemistry (2009) from the Chinese University of Hong Kong, after completing an exchange program at University of California, Los Angeles in 2007-2008. He completed his PhD in Pennsylvania State University (2014), mentored by Professor Philip C. Bevilacqua and Professor Sarah M. Assmann. In Apr 2014, Dr. Kwok worked as a Croucher Postdoctoral Fellow in University of Cambridge under Professor Sir Shankar Balasubramanian. In Oct 2016, Dr. Kwok's joined the City University of Hong Kong (CityU) as an Assistant professor and has been promoted to Associate professor in July 2021. In 2019, he was one of the recipients of the CityU President Award and Croucher Innovation Award. In 2020, Dr. Kwok's joined the State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution, City University of Hong Kong. In 2021, Dr. Kwok was recognized as elected member of Hong Kong Young Academy of Science (YASHK) and Hong Kong Institute for Advanced Study Rising Star in Chemistry.
Dr. Kwok’s current 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 technologies for sensing chemical pollutants and biological toxins.
To cultivate a stimulating learning environment for students and to establish RNA community in Hong Kong, Dr. Kwok, together with Dr. Minh Le, has founded the Hong Kong RNA Club in Aug 2017 and organized RNA seminar and symposium events regularly (http://www.kitkwok.com/hk-rna-club.html). The Hong Kong RNA Club has been recognized and supported by the International RNA Society and various industrial companies.
Professional History
2021-present Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong
2016-2021 Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong
2014-2016 Croucher Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Chemistry & CRUK, University of Cambridge (Mentor: Prof. Sir Shankar Balasubramanian)
Education
2009-2014 Ph.D., Pennsylvania State University (Mentors: Prof. Philip C. Bevilacqua and Sarah M. Assmann)
2007-2008 Exchange student, University of California, Los Angeles (Mentor: Prof. Juli Feigon)
2005-2009 B.Sc., Chinese University of Hong Kong (Mentor: Prof. Sik Lok Lam)
Awards and Honors
2022 Elected member of Hong Kong Young Academy of Science (YASHK)
2021 Top 2% of the World’s Most Highly Cited Scientists by Stanford University
2021 Hong Kong Institute for Advanced Study Rising Star (Chemistry)
2019 The President Award, City University of Hong Kong
2019 Croucher Innovation Award, Croucher Foundation
2017 Royal Society Kan Tong Po International Exchange Fellowship
2016 RNA Society Travel Award
2015 Selected Young Scientist Participant for the 65th Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting
2014 Inventor Incentive Award, PSU
2014-2016 Croucher Postdoctoral Fellowship, Croucher Foundation
2014 Alumni Association Dissertation Award, PSU
2013 Eugene and Jane Apple Science Graduate Fellowship, PSU
2012, 2013 Graduate Student Travel Award, PSU (3 times)
2009 Braddock Graduate Fellowship, PSU
2008 Lau Oi Wah Oversea Exchange Memorial Scholarship, CUHK
2008 Yasumoto International Exchange Scholarships, CUHK
2007, 2009 The Swire Scholarship, John Swire & Sons (Hong Kong) Limited (2 times)
2007 The Highest Class Award (>200 h community service), Hong Kong Community Youth Club
2007 Dr. James C. N. Ma Memorial Scholarship, CUHK
External Fundings
Jan 2022 - Dec 2024 General Research Fund Scheme, RGC HK (1,125,732 HKD)
Jan 2020 - Dec 2022 General Research Fund Scheme, RGC HK (1,253,010 HKD)
Nov 2019 - Oct 2024 Croucher Innovation Award, Croucher Foundation (5,000,000 HKD)
Apr 2019 - Mar 2022 Shenzhen Basic Research Program Basic Research Discipline Layout Project (2,000,000 RMB)
Jan 2019 - Dec 2021 General Research Fund Scheme, RGC HK (1,214,676 HKD)
Jan 2018 - Dec 2021 NSFC/RGC Joint Research Scheme, RGC HK (1,214,000 HKD)
Jan 2018 - Dec 2020 Early Career Scheme, RGC HK (1,017,961 HKD)
Educational Grant, RGC HK (50,000 HKD)
Nov 2016 - Oct 2021 Croucher Start Up Grant, Croucher Foundation (500,000 HKD)
Media and Press Coverage
2021 Article has been recommended in Faculty Opinions
2021 Top 2% of the World’s Most Highly Cited Scientists (Stanford University)
2021 Article has been recommended in Faculty Opinions
2021 Magazine coverage on CityU RESEARCH
2020 Article has been recommended in Faculty Opinions
2020 Media coverage on Croucher Innovation Awards 2019
2019 Press release on Croucher Innovation Awards 2019
2019 Review was featured in scientific journal cover story
Associate Professor
Department of Chemistry
City University of Hong Kong
Office: AC1-B6608
Lab: AC1-P2405
Phone: (852) 3442 6858
Fax: (852) 3442 0522
Email: ckkwok42@cityu.edu.hk
Twitter: @kitkwok6
Dr. Kit Kwok obtained his B.Sc. in Chemistry (2009) from the Chinese University of Hong Kong, after completing an exchange program at University of California, Los Angeles in 2007-2008. He completed his PhD in Pennsylvania State University (2014), mentored by Professor Philip C. Bevilacqua and Professor Sarah M. Assmann. In Apr 2014, Dr. Kwok worked as a Croucher Postdoctoral Fellow in University of Cambridge under Professor Sir Shankar Balasubramanian. In Oct 2016, Dr. Kwok's joined the City University of Hong Kong (CityU) as an Assistant professor and has been promoted to Associate professor in July 2021. In 2019, he was one of the recipients of the CityU President Award and Croucher Innovation Award. In 2020, Dr. Kwok's joined the State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution, City University of Hong Kong. In 2021, Dr. Kwok was recognized as elected member of Hong Kong Young Academy of Science (YASHK) and Hong Kong Institute for Advanced Study Rising Star in Chemistry.
Dr. Kwok’s current 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 technologies for sensing chemical pollutants and biological toxins.
To cultivate a stimulating learning environment for students and to establish RNA community in Hong Kong, Dr. Kwok, together with Dr. Minh Le, has founded the Hong Kong RNA Club in Aug 2017 and organized RNA seminar and symposium events regularly (http://www.kitkwok.com/hk-rna-club.html). The Hong Kong RNA Club has been recognized and supported by the International RNA Society and various industrial companies.
Professional History
2021-present Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong
2016-2021 Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong
2014-2016 Croucher Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Chemistry & CRUK, University of Cambridge (Mentor: Prof. Sir Shankar Balasubramanian)
Education
2009-2014 Ph.D., Pennsylvania State University (Mentors: Prof. Philip C. Bevilacqua and Sarah M. Assmann)
2007-2008 Exchange student, University of California, Los Angeles (Mentor: Prof. Juli Feigon)
2005-2009 B.Sc., Chinese University of Hong Kong (Mentor: Prof. Sik Lok Lam)
Awards and Honors
2022 Elected member of Hong Kong Young Academy of Science (YASHK)
2021 Top 2% of the World’s Most Highly Cited Scientists by Stanford University
2021 Hong Kong Institute for Advanced Study Rising Star (Chemistry)
2019 The President Award, City University of Hong Kong
2019 Croucher Innovation Award, Croucher Foundation
2017 Royal Society Kan Tong Po International Exchange Fellowship
2016 RNA Society Travel Award
2015 Selected Young Scientist Participant for the 65th Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting
2014 Inventor Incentive Award, PSU
2014-2016 Croucher Postdoctoral Fellowship, Croucher Foundation
2014 Alumni Association Dissertation Award, PSU
2013 Eugene and Jane Apple Science Graduate Fellowship, PSU
2012, 2013 Graduate Student Travel Award, PSU (3 times)
2009 Braddock Graduate Fellowship, PSU
2008 Lau Oi Wah Oversea Exchange Memorial Scholarship, CUHK
2008 Yasumoto International Exchange Scholarships, CUHK
2007, 2009 The Swire Scholarship, John Swire & Sons (Hong Kong) Limited (2 times)
2007 The Highest Class Award (>200 h community service), Hong Kong Community Youth Club
2007 Dr. James C. N. Ma Memorial Scholarship, CUHK
External Fundings
Jan 2022 - Dec 2024 General Research Fund Scheme, RGC HK (1,125,732 HKD)
Jan 2020 - Dec 2022 General Research Fund Scheme, RGC HK (1,253,010 HKD)
Nov 2019 - Oct 2024 Croucher Innovation Award, Croucher Foundation (5,000,000 HKD)
Apr 2019 - Mar 2022 Shenzhen Basic Research Program Basic Research Discipline Layout Project (2,000,000 RMB)
Jan 2019 - Dec 2021 General Research Fund Scheme, RGC HK (1,214,676 HKD)
Jan 2018 - Dec 2021 NSFC/RGC Joint Research Scheme, RGC HK (1,214,000 HKD)
Jan 2018 - Dec 2020 Early Career Scheme, RGC HK (1,017,961 HKD)
Educational Grant, RGC HK (50,000 HKD)
Nov 2016 - Oct 2021 Croucher Start Up Grant, Croucher Foundation (500,000 HKD)
Media and Press Coverage
2021 Article has been recommended in Faculty Opinions
2021 Top 2% of the World’s Most Highly Cited Scientists (Stanford University)
2021 Article has been recommended in Faculty Opinions
2021 Magazine coverage on CityU RESEARCH
2020 Article has been recommended in Faculty Opinions
2020 Media coverage on Croucher Innovation Awards 2019
2019 Press release on Croucher Innovation Awards 2019
2019 Review was featured in scientific journal cover story