Hong Kong SAR – Media Outreach Newswire – 1 June 2026 – The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) today announced the appointment of internationally renowned physician-scientist Professor LI King-chuen as the Founding Dean of its School of Medicine, effective June 1, 2026.
Following a rigorous global search, Professor Lee was selected for his exceptional track record in academic leadership, medical education and biomedical innovation, as well as his unique experience in establishing a new medical school.
Professor Lee previously served from 2016 to 2021 as the founding dean of the Carle Illinois College of Medicine at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) – one of the world’s leading engineering-based medical schools. During his tenure, he played a key role in developing technology-oriented curricula, recruiting founding faculty, and creating academic-clinical partnerships. Under his leadership, the college’s inaugural graduating cohort achieved a 100% pass rate in licensing examinations, reflecting the program’s excellent quality and rigorous standards.
An internationally recognized physician-scientist and biomedical innovator, Professor Lee currently holds the titles of Dean Emeritus and Professor Emeritus at Carle Illinois College of Medicine, as well as Assistant Professor of Radiology at Stanford University School of Medicine. His career spans leading institutions including Stanford University, the US National Institutes of Health, Weill Cornell Medical College, Wake Forest School of Medicine, and UIUC. He holds a Doctor of Medicine (with Honours) from the University of Toronto and an MBA from San Jose State University.
Professor Lee’s appointment comes at a critical moment as HKUST advances its plans to establish a new School of Medicine. The school will offer a four-year graduate-entry MBBS programme, with the inaugural cohort expected to commence in the 2028/29 academic year.
His experience closely aligns with HKUST’s vision of developing a future-ready medical school that integrates clinical excellence with engineering, data science and emerging technologies. His proven approach to training physician-innovators – combining strong clinical foundations with interdisciplinary expertise – will provide a strong foundation for the school’s growth while being well suited to HKUST’s unique strengths in science and technology.
Known for his commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration, Prof. Lee has continually integrated fields such as radiology, bioengineering, computer science and nanotechnology – an approach that will be instrumental in shaping HKUST’s innovative model of medical education.
Beyond medical education, Prof. Lee is a highly accomplished innovator. He is a Fellow of the US National Academy of Inventors and has received the Gold Medal of the Association of University Radiologists. He is also a Fellow of several major professional bodies, including the American College of Radiology, the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering, and the International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine. He holds 20 issued patents in the United States, Australia, and Europe, and has founded a company based on his translational research.
Pro. Harry Shum, Chairman of the HKUST Councilsaid, “I would like to warmly welcome Professor Lee on his appointment as our founding Dean of the School of Medicine. His proven expertise and experience are invaluable to the University as we plan to develop a distinctive model of medical education for the future. We have full confidence in his exceptional leadership in leading our Medical School, one of the most significant undertakings in the 35-year history of HKUST. The Council is committed to lending its support to ensure the success of the School.”
Professor Nancy Ip, President of HKUSTsaid, “Prof. Lee as founding dean brings a rare combination of experience, academic excellence and a visionary vision for technology-driven medical education. His leadership will be central in building a medical school that is globally competitive, locally relevant and impactful for Hong Kong and the wider region. We warmly welcome Prof. Lee to the University and look forward to his role in establishing the HKUST School of Medicine as well as shaping a new generation of medical professionals and driving innovation in healthcare.” I look forward to their leadership in taking this important international recruitment process forward. I also express my heartfelt appreciation to the Search Committee, chaired by Ms Edith SHIH (Vice-Chair of the Council) and its members, including Professor FOK Tai-fai and Professor Raymond Liang, for their dedication and hard work in carrying out this important international recruitment process.
Professor King Li, Founding Dean of the School of Medicine, said, “I am extremely honored to be appointed as the founding dean of HKUST’s new School of Medicine. Returning to Hong Kong – where my roots are – to take on this role at HKUST and having the opportunity to return to where I grew up is very meaningful to me. HKUST has a remarkable track record of turning bold ideas into reality, and I am excited to build a medical school that is at the forefront of the integration of engineering, data science and biomedical innovation.” Reimagines physician training. Building on my experience and working closely with our partners in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area, I look forward to nurturing a new generation of physician-innovators who will transform healthcare for the benefit of patients and society.
Born and raised in Hong Kong, Professor Lee brings with him a strong personal commitment to advancing Hong Kong as an international center for medical education and innovation. He has long-standing relationships with the local academic and medical communities.
The University community is expected to provide its full support to Professor Lee as he expands partnerships with teaching hospitals, government, industry and the global medical community, and further strengthens relationships with the Greater Bay Area and other regions.
Hashtag: #HKUST
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
