Gary Kui Kai Lau graduated in 2008 from the University of Hong Kong with a MBBS and Master of Research in Cardiovascular Medicine degree. He joined the Division of Neurology, University of Hong Kong as Clinical Assistant Professor in 2011 under the prestigious Young Academic Scheme. He completed his Neurology training at Queen Mary Hospital in 2015 and subsequently received a PhD in Clinical Neurosciences (Stroke medicine) in 2018 (University of Oxford Croucher Scholar) at The Centre for Prevention of Stroke and Dementia, University of Oxford, under the mentorship of Professor Peter Rothwell. He was promoted to Clinical Associate Professor in 2022.  

Professor Lau’s research focuses on the causes of stroke and improving the prevention of stroke. He has published over 170 research articles or book chapters relating to stroke, including in reputable journals such as Lancet Neurology, Lancet Infectious Diseases, European Heart Journal, Nature Communications, JAMA Neurology, Neurology and Stroke. He currently leads the Stroke Research and Prevention Group (HKU Stroke), and is the Principal Investigator of four prospective stroke registries in different regions of Hong Kong. He pioneered the WeRISE App – a one-stop platform for stroke patients and families combating stroke. This App has been widely utilised and disseminated throughout the medical and social sectors of Hong Kong. He is also the Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer of ReMobility, a startup company that developed SmartRehab – an AI-powered telerehabilitation platform that aims to make rehabilitation accessible and affordable. This platform has been supported by the World Stroke Organisation Future Leader’s Programme and is currently being tested/utilised in 7 countries outside of Hong Kong.

Professor Lau is a recognised regional leader in stroke and is a Founding Steering Committee Member of the Microbleeds International Collaborative Network (MICON), Steering Committee Member and Country Lead of the International Multicentre Patent Foramen Ovale and Stroke registry (IMPROVE) and Founding Committee Member of the Neurological and Mental Health Global Epidemiology Network (NeuroGEN). He is the Honorary Secretary of the Hong Kong Stroke Society, member of the Rehabilitation Committee of the Hong Kong Society for Rehabilitation, Director of Hong Kong Stroke Fund and an Honorary Advisor for the Hong Kong Stroke Association.

Professor Lau has made substantial contributions to teaching and learning. He is currently the Assistant Dean in Education Innovations, Director of EdTech and SIMHSE (Students in Medical and Health Sciences Education) and Program Director in Innovation & Collaboration at the Bau Institute of Medical & Health Sciences Education at HKU Med. He is also the Founding Editor of the HKU eLearning Platform in Clinical Neurosciences.

In recognition of his clinical, research, teaching and innovation excellence, Professor Lau has been awarded the American Heart Association Award for Patient-Oriented or Clinical Research in Hypertension; Gold Medal with Congratulations of the Jury, International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva; British Medical Association Award for a highly commended book title; University Teaching Innovation Award; Hong Kong West Cluster Outstanding Team Award for Comprehensive Acute Stroke Service and Smart Ageing Leader Award. Professor Lau also received the Ten Outstanding Young Persons Award in 2024.