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Professor Leung, Gabriel Matthew 梁卓偉

Title:
Professor, Chair of Public Health Medicine
Helen and Francis Zimmern Professor in Population Health
Clinical Professor

Contact Information
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Office:
FMM A606 

Professor Leung, Gabriel Matthew 梁卓偉

Title:
Professor, Chair of Public Health Medicine
Helen and Francis Zimmern Professor in Population Health
Clinical Professor

Also Cited As:
Leung, Gabriel M
Leung, G

Professional Qualifications
YearAwarding InstitutionQualification
University of Western OntarioMD
Harvard UniversityMPH
The University of Hong KongMD
The College of Family Physicians of CanadaFCFP
The Faculty of Public HealthFFPH
The Royal College of Physicians of EdinburghFRCP
Hong Kong Academy of MedicineFHKCCM
The Hong Kong Academy of MedicineFHKAM (Community Medicine)
Biography

One of Asia’s most respected higher education and health leaders, Gabriel Leung is known for his commitment to expanding student opportunity, building strong institutions and nurturing impactful innovation. He is the fortieth Dean of Medicine and inaugural Helen and Francis Zimmern Professor in Population Health at the University of Hong Kong.

His career has straddled academe and public service. Formerly, he was Head of Community Medicine at the University as well as Hong Kong's first Under Secretary for Food and Health and fifth Director of the Chief Executive's Office in government.

During his deanship, he revamped the admission infrastructure to expand access, thereby enhancing the quality and diversity of the student body. He led a major undergraduate curriculum reform exercise, notably the introduction of the “Enrichment Year”. He pioneered articulation degree programmes in bioethics, public health, physiotherapy, veterinary surgery and a whole range of biomedical disciplines with leading universities including Edinburgh, Harvard, LSHTM, Manchester, Sydney and UC Berkeley. He also introduced the ground breaking interdisciplinary BASc (Global Health and Development) degree course. Gabriel raised the largest single philanthropic donation received by HKU and in total a record HKD1.7 billion to date. He has more than doubled teaching and research space since he became dean.   

A specialist in public health medicine by training, Gabriel is one of the region’s leading epidemiologists and global health exponents. His work has revolved around topics that have major population health impact locally, where Hong Kong is a reliable and unique epidemiologic sentinel for mainland China and the Chinese diaspora, or where it is best placed to address the fundamental science at hand globally.

His research defined the epidemiology of three novel viral epidemics, namely SARS in 2003, H7N9 influenza in 2013 and most recently COVID-19. As under secretary, he led Hong Kong government's response against the 2009 influenza pandemic. He was founding co-director of HKU's World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Control and currently directs the Laboratory of Data Discovery for Health at the Hong Kong Science and Technology Park.

In parallel, Gabriel leads several large-scale longitudinal cohorts (Children of 1997, FAMILY, Department of Health Elderly Health Service cohort), tracking tens of thousands of lives to study the fundamental causes of non-communicable conditions and to explain the health impacts of contemporary social phenomena.

A final strand of his work concerns the economics and policy issues of health systems. His team is the government's health accountant and projects health care human resources needs. Regionally, Gabriel has tirelessly worked to build capacity throughout the Asia Pacific. He served as founding Chair of the Asia Pacific Observatory on Health Systems Policies and continues to lead its Strategic Technical Advisory Committee.

In addition to serving as a Governor of The Wellcome Trust, Gabriel regularly advises national and international agencies including the World Health Organisation, World Bank, Asian Development Bank, Boao Forum for Asia, Institut Pasteur, Japan Center for International Exchange, National Centre for Infectious Diseases of Singapore and China Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. He is an Adjunct Professor of Peking Union Medical College Hospital and Adjunct Professorial Researcher of the China National Health Development Research Center.

Locally, he was Vice President and Censor in Public Health Medicine of the Hong Kong College of Community Medicine, and an elected council member of the Hong Kong Academy of Medicine. He is a member of the Hospital Authority and completed two terms on the University Grants Committee, which are respectively a statutory agency responsible for all public health care services and a government advisory body on the development and funding requirements of the higher education sector.

He co-edited the Journal of Public Health (2007-14), was inaugural co-editor of Epidemics, associate editor of Health Policy and is founding deputy editor-in-chief of China CDC Weekly. He currently serves on the editorial boards of nine journals, including the British Medical Journal.

After reading medicine at the University of Western Ontario, Gabriel completed family medicine residency training in Toronto. He earned a master's from Harvard University and research doctorate from HKU.

He is an elected member of the US National Academy of Medicine and was awarded the Gold Bauhinia Star (second highest civilian honour) by the Hong Kong government for distinguished service in protecting and promoting population health. 

Gabriel is a keen amateur musician who maintains a busy schedule of arts engagements, as Principal Conductor of the HKU Union Philharmonic Orchestra, Honorary Guest Conductor of the Hong Kong Children’s Symphony and chamber pianist. He is President of the Hong Kong Schools Music and Speech Association, and serves on the boards of the Hong Kong Arts Festival and the Asian Youth Orchestra, and formerly the Hong Kong Philharmonic and the Hong Kong Sinfonietta. 

 
Honours, Awards & Prizes
AwardeesAward DateHonours / Awards / PrizesCategory
2005-11-01University Teaching Fellowship: University of Hong Kong
Teaching Accomplishment
2003-12-01Sir Patrick Manson Gold Medal: University of Hong Kong
Research Achievement
2002-09-01Information Technology in Education Second Place Award: University of Hong Kong
Others
2007-09-29Excellent Research Award: Food and Health Bureau, Government of the HKSAR
Research Achievement
2012-07-01Gold Bauhinia Star (G.B.S.): Government of HKSAR
Others
2002-12-01Faculty Teaching Medal: University of Hong Kong, Faculty of Medicine
Teaching Accomplishment
2007-10-06Young Alumni Award of Merit for the year 2007: University of Western Ontario
Research Achievement
LEUNG, Man Chi
LUN, Kai Yin Phyllis
Yau, CYS
Flores, FPC
Yao, X
2021-08-01Faculty Outstanding Research Output Award: Ni MY, Yao XI, Leung KS, et al. Depression and Post-Traumatic Stress During Major Social Unrest in Hong Kong: a ten-year prospective cohort. Lancet 2020 Jan;395(10220):273-284: Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong
Research Achievement
SHIU, Eunice Yuen Chi
Seto, WH
Hau, JPB
2019-08-01Best Poster Award (Public Health), 10th Options for the Control of Influenza: International Society for Influenza and Other Respiratory Virus Diseases
Research Achievement
Seto, WH
2018-08-01Best Abstract (Infection Control), 17th Asia-Pacific Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infection cum 8th International Infection Control Conference: Hong Kong Society for Microbiology and InfectionHong Kong Infection Control Nurses’ Association
Research Achievement
LAU, Lee Hang Lincoln
So, HC
Ma, SK
Fang, J
Fung, ROP
2011-11-01Faculty Outstanding Research Output Award 2010-11: Cowling B.J., Chan K.H., Fang J., Lau L.L.H., So H.C., Fung R.O.P., Ma S.K., Kwong A.S.K., Chan C.W., Tsui W.W.S., Ngai H.Y., Chu D.W.S., Lee P.W.Y., Chiu M.C. and Leung G.M., Comparative epidemiology of pandemic and seasonal influenza A in households, New England Journal of Medicine. 2010, 362: 2175-2184
Research Achievement
Zhou, L
LIANG, Huyi
MA, Chi
CHAI, Yujuan
Smith, DK
OU, Zhihua
Wang, J
Duan, L
Liu, Y
Shen, Y
2014-01-012014 Research Output Prize: The University of Hong Kong
Research Achievement
Fang, J
Yu, H
2014-12-01Research Output Prize 2014: Yu H, Wu JT, Cowling BJ, Liao Q, Fang VJ, Zhou S, Wu P, Zhou H, Lau EH, Guo D, Ni MY, Peng Z, Feng L, Jiang H, Luo H, Li Q, Feng Z, Wang Y, Yang W, Leung GM. Effect of closure of live poultry markets on poultry-to-person transmission of avian influenza A H7N9 virus: an ecological study. Lancet. 2014; 383(9916): 541-8.: The University of Hong Kong
Research Achievement
Jiang, C
Cheng, KK
Zhang, W
2010-01-29Guangzhou Biobank Project: Establishment and studies on environmental factors and major chronic diseases: First-class award at Guangzhou Scientific and Technology Progress Award
Research Achievement
Flores, FPC
Lam, TH
2022-09-01Faculty Outstanding Research Output Award
Research Achievement
2021-08-01Faculty Research Output Prize 2021: Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong (HKUMed, HKSAR).
Research Achievement
TSANG, Kam Lun
2014-11-01Faculty Outstanding Research Output Award 2014: Yu H.J., Cowling B.J., Feng L.Z., Lau E.H.Y., Liao Q.H., Tsang K.L., Peng Z.B., Wu P., Liu F.F., Fang J., Zhang H.L., Li M., Zeng L.J., Xu Z., Li Z.J., Luo H.M., Li Q., Feng Z.J., Cao B., Yang W.Z., Wu J.T.K., Wang Y. and Leung G.M., Human infection with avian influenza A H7N9 virus: An assessment of clinical severity, Lancet. 2013, 382(9887):138-45.
Research Achievement
TSANG, Kam Lun
Fang, J
2014-11-01Faculty Outstanding Research Output Award 2014: Cowling B.J., Jin L.M., Lau E.H.Y., Liao Q.H., Wu P., Jiang H., Tsang K.L., Zheng J.D., Fang J., Chang Z.R., Ni M.Y., Zhang Q., Ip D.K.M., Yu J.X., Li Y., Wang L.P., Tu W.X., Meng L., Wu J.T.K., Luo H.M., Li Q., Shu Y.L., Li Z.J., Feng Z.J., Yang W.Z., Wang Y., Leung G.M. and Yu H.J., Comparative epidemiology of human infections with avian influenza A H7N9 and H5N1 viruses in China: A population-based study of laboratory-confirmed cases, Lancet. 2013, 382(9887):129-37.: Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong.
Research Achievement
2014-07-01FPH Service Award: Faculty of Public Health of the Royal College of Physicians of the United Kingdom
Others
ZHOU, Jie
Wang, J
2014-11-01Faculty Outstanding Research Output Award 2013-2014: LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong
Research Achievement
2008-01-01Justice of the Peace (J.P.) 2008-12 ("official"): Government of the Hong Kong SAR
Others
2015-01-01Justice of the Peace (J.P.) since 2015 ("non-official"): Government of the Hong Kong SAR
Others
Seto, WH
Shiu, EYC
2021-08-01Faculty Outstanding Research Output Award: LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong
Research Achievement
MA, Chi
CHAI, Yujuan
Smith, DK
Wang, J
Duan, L
Li, L
Shen, Y
Zhang, Y
Jiang, J
2016-11-01Faculty Outstanding Research Output Award 2015-2016: The University of Hong Kong
Research Achievement
2021-08-01Faculty Outstanding Research Output Award: Effects of adjusting public health, travel, and social measures during the roll-out of COVID-19 vaccination: a modelling study: LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong
Research Achievement
Fang, J
So, HC
Cauchemez, ST
2020-06-01Faculty Outstanding Research Output Award: LKS Faculty of Medicine, the University of Hong Kong. 2020
Research Achievement
2021-09-01Highly commended entry in 2021 CSC Research Impact Awards – Taylor & Francis CSC Research implementation and uptake stream: Commonwealth Scholarship Commission, UK
Research Achievement
Professional Societies
Term PeriodPositionProfessional Societies
1998-presentMemberOntario Medical Association (#0655167)
1998-presentMemberCanadian Medical Association (#073110)
1998-presentMemberOntario Health Insurance Plan (Billing No. 012399)
1998-presentMemberCanadian Medical Protective Association (No. 992878)
2000-presentMemberHong Kong Medical Association (No. 11092)
2001-presentMemberAmerican Public Health Association (ID# 9778200)
2006-2008Vice PresidentHong Kong College of Community Medicine
2013-2015MemberResearch Response Group on Emerging Health Threats, Food and Health Bureau, Government of the Hong Kong SAR
2015-17Member, Research Fellowship Assessment PanelFood and Health Bureau, Government of the Hong Kong SAR
2013-presentMemberAdvisory Peer Group for Nursing, The Open University of Hong Kong
2006-2008Censor in Public Health MedicineHong Kong College of Community Medicine
2004-2008Council MemberHong Kong College of Community Medicine
2004-2008Member, Education CommitteeHong Kong College of Community Medicine
2004-2008Member, CME/CPD Sub-CommitteeHong Kong College of Community Medicine
2004-2008Part 2 Examiner, Subspecialty in Public Health MedicineHong Kong College of Community Medicine
2004-2008Part 1 Examiner, Subspecialty in Administrative MedicineHong Kong College of Community Medicine
2013International Selection PanelThe National Institute for Health Research, UK Department of Health
2013-15MemberAdvisory Committee, WHO Collaborating Centre for Community Health Services, Hong Kong Polytechnic University
2015-17Chairman, Education, Training & Research CommitteeGHK Hospital Limited
2016Panel MemberCentre of Research Excellence Grant Review Panels, The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), Australia
2015-presentMemberIndependent Panel on the Global Response to Ebola, an initiative established by the Harvard Global Health Institute and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
2015-presentMemberEducation Advisory Committee, Institut Pasteur, France
2013-2018MemberSteering Committee on Strategic Review on Healthcare Manpower Planning and Professional Development, Food and Health Bureau, Government of the Hong Kong SAR
2002-presentMemberSociety for Medical Decision Making
2013-presentMemberResearch Council, Food and Health Bureau, Government of the Hong Kong SAR
2013-14MemberSteering Committee on Prevention and Control of Non-communicable Diseases, Department of Health
2014-presentMember, Governing BoardHong Kong Jockey Club Disaster Preparedness and Response Institute
2014-presentMemberHong Kong Jockey Club Disaster Preparedness and Response Institute
2014-presentCouncil MemberShantou University, Guangdong, China
2013-presentDeputy Secretary-General (副秘書長)Collaborative Innovation Centre for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang University-Tsinghua University-The University of Hong Kong-China Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (感染病診治協同創新中心).
2012-presentMemberHospital Advisory Group of the Re-development of Inland Lot No.7360, Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Foundation
2014-presentHigh-level ExpertRegional Financing for Malaria Task Force, Asia Pacific Leaders Malaria Alliance Secretariat, Asian Development Bank
2013-presentHonorary AdvisorAsian Medical Students’ Association Hong Kong
2015-presentBoard MemberAsia Health Systems Research Capacity Strengthening Initiative
2013-presentHonorary AdvisorInstitute of Advanced Nursing Studies, Hospital Authority
2014-2017MemberUniversity Grants Committee
2016MemberInternational Selection Panel, The National Institute for Health Research, UK Department of Health
2014-presentHonorary AdvisorHong Kong Breast Oncology Group
2013-presentAdvisorHong Kong Association of Family Medicine and Primary Health Care Nurses Limited
2015-presentMember, Editorial BoardClinical Medical Education (Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine and Shanghai Medical Development & Innovation Foundation)
2015Academic ConsultantChina Medical Board, USA
2013-2016Co-ChairGrant Review Board, Health and Medical Research Fund, Food and Health Bureau, Government of the Hong Kong SAR
2014-16MemberHealth and Medical Development Advisory Committee, Food and Health Bureau, Government of the Hong Kong SAR
2013-presentMemberWorking Group on Regulation of Private Hospitals, Food and Health Bureau, Government of the Hong Kong SAR
2014-presentMemberPostgraduate Education Advisory Committee, China Center for Disease Control and Prevention (中國疾病预防控制中心研究生教育諮詢委員會)
2003-2008Academic supervisor of higher traineesDepartment of Health, Government of HKSAR
2002-presentMemberAsia-Pacific National Health Accounts Network
2002-presentMemberAsia-Pacific Health Economics Network
2013-15MemberBoard of Governors, Tung Wah College
2015-presentMemberSociety of Medical Decision Making Asia-Pacific Advisory Council
2013-2015MemberHospital Authority Board
2015-17Hon. ChairmanThe University of Hong Kong Bachelor of Chinese Medicine (Full-time) Alumni Association
2013-2018MemberHong Kong West Cluster, Hospital Medical Committee, Hospital Authority
2016-19Deputy Chairperson, Universal Health Coverage Technical Advisory GroupWHO Western Pacific Regional Office
2013-presentMemberSteering Committee on Review of Regulation of Private Healthcare Facilities, Food and Health Bureau, Government of the Hong Kong SAR
2002-presenetMemberInternational Health Economics Association
2012-presentCouncil MemberHong Kong Academy of Medicine
2013ReviewerDutch Research Council (NWO)
2014-presentInternational AdvisorHealth Equity Special Interest Group, WONCA
2013-14MemberWorking Group on Diet and Physical Activity, Department of Health
2002-presentMemberInternational Epidemiological Association
2015-06CommissionerUS National Academy of Medicine
2013-presentMemberResearch Ethics Committee, Hong Kong Academy of Medicine
2013-2018MemberHong Kong West Cluster, Hospital Governing Committee, Hospital Authority
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