Area of Excellence：Marine Environmental Research & Innovative Technology

Area of excellence Marine Environmental Research Innovative Technology REA OF EXCELLENCE E R 四 場明

Area of Excellence Marine Environmental Research & Innovative Technology

oUtline An overview on merit 2. Relevance to environmental and public health 3. Research Programs 4. Highlighting novelty Hypoxia as an endocrine disruptor and teratogen Artificial mussels to monitor heavy metals Multiplex Quantitative Real-time PCR and gene chip technology for monitoring waterborne pathogens 5. Deliverables and impact

Outline 1. An overview on MERIT 2. Relevance to environmental and public health 3. Research Programs 4. Highlighting novelty • Hypoxia as an endocrine disruptor and teratogen • Artificial mussels to monitor heavy metals • Multiplex Quantitative Real-time PCR and gene chip technology for monitoring waterborne pathogens 5. Deliverables and impact

Aims of the AoE Scheme Maintain Hong Kong s economic position in the development of china the Pacific rim Identify research areas where Hong Kong has particular potential to develop a competitive edge internationally UGC

Aims of the AoE Scheme • “Maintain Hong Kong’s economic position in the development of China & the Pacific Rim” • “Identify research areas where Hong Kong has particular potential to develop a competitive edge internationally” UGC

Selection Criteria of AoE 1." Research area where Hong Kong has a particular potential to develop a competitive edge internationally 2.“ Capable of attaining world class excellence” 3."Relevance to social and economic development of Hong Kong 4. Build upon existing strength UGC

Selection Criteria of AoE 1. “Research area where Hong Kong has a particular potential to develop a competitive edge internationally” 2. “Capable of attaining world class excellence” 3. “Relevance to social and economic development of Hong Kong” 4. “Build upon existing strength” UGC

Centre for marine Environmental Research Innovative Technology (MERIT)

Centre for Marine Environmental Research & Innovative Technology (MERIT)

MERIT Selected by ugc as one of the-eight: Areas of Excellence'"(AoEs) in Hong Kong, considered as internationally competitive The only aoe dealing with environmental ssues Awarded $45 millions for 5 years, starting april 2004 with additional matching from participating universities

MERIT • Selected by UGC as one of the eight “Areas of Excellence” (AoEs) in Hong Kong, considered as internationally competitive • The only AoE dealing with environmental issues • Awarded $45 millions for 5 years, starting April 2004, with additional matching from participating universities

MERIT Lead by the CityU with the following membership 12 from CityU 4 from hKu 3 from HKUst 2 from CUHK 2 from HKBu I from HKpo 7 overseas scientists from USA. Australia, Norway. China A multidisciplinary team with biologists, chemists physicist, statistician, engineers, modelers

MERIT • Lead by the CityU with the following membership: – 12 from CityU – 4 from HKU – 3 from HKUST – 2 from CUHK – 2 from HKBU – 1 from HKPU – 7 overseas scientists from USA, Australia, Norway, China • A multidisciplinary team with biologists, chemists, physicist, statistician, engineers, modelers

oOur Mission Develop innovative chemical, biological and engineering technologies for monitoring the health of marine environment pollution control bioremediation and risk assessment Conduct and foster high quality, multidisciplinary research relevant to the protection and conservation of the marine environment, especially in Hong Kong and the region

Our Mission • Develop innovative chemical, biological and engineering technologies for: – monitoring the health of marine environment – pollution control – bioremediation and – risk assessment • Conduct and foster high quality, multidisciplinary research relevant to the protection and conservation of the marine environment, especially in Hong Kong and the region

Relevance to social and economic so development of Hong Kong The Pearl River Delta and S. China (including Hong Kong) is the most rapidly developing region in the world One-third of Hong Kong and Chinas GDP comes from the utilization of coastal resources Projected 28% increase (6.8 to 8.7 million) in the HK population by 2030 Marine pollution, a pressing world wide problem poses a major threat to Hong Kong and China

• The Pearl River Delta and S. China (including Hong Kong) is the most rapidly developing region in the world • One-third of Hong Kong and China’s GDP comes from the utilization of coastal resources • Projected 28% increase (6.8 to 8.7 million) in the HK population by 2030 • Marine pollution, a pressing world wide problem, poses a major threat to Hong Kong and China Relevance to social and economic development of Hong Kong

Relevance to social and economic so development of Hong Kong Great economic loss Port airport development: >$200M ex-gratia payment 1998 Red tide: >$300M loss to the mariculture industry Disney Theme Park: >450M for clean up Tourism Large scale development planned Large scale urban development ($240 billion) A 29 km bridge linking Hong Kong, Macau and the Mainland( 15.6 billion)

• Great economic loss – Port & airport development: >$200M ex-gratia payment – 1998 Red tide: >$300M loss to the mariculture industry – Disney Theme Park: >$450M for clean up – Tourism • Large scale development planned: – Large scale urban development (>$240 billion) – A 29 km bridge linking Hong Kong, Macau and the Mainland ($ 15.6 billion) Relevance to social and economic development of Hong Kong