HKU Bulletin May 2008 (Vol. 9 No. 2)

24 25 Dr Yang Jun Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering D r Yang’s research spans a broad spectrum of topics in geomechanics and earthquake engineering. During the past ten years his research has focused on obtaining a better understanding of ground motion during large earthquakes and its impact on man-made structures and buildings. Dr Yang has published widely in specialist journals in recent years, and one of his most important articles was a study of the unusually large amplification of vertical ground motion recorded at a reclaimed island in Kobe, Japan during the 1995 Kobe earthquake. He was among the first to present, in an integrated way, a sound mechanism to explain the observation. His proposal on the non-uniqueness of flow liquefaction line for loose sand, which challenges a widely accepted theory, has particular significance for studying flow failures of earth dams. Dr Yang says that he enjoys his life as a young researcher very much, but stresses that there is no easy way to success. In his view, researchers must work hard to achieve the goals they set themselves. junyang@hku.hk http://www.hku.hk/civil/v1c.htm Outstanding Young Researcher Awards The Outstanding Researcher Award is conferred for exceptional research accomplishments of international merit. Professor Chye Mee Len Professor, School of Biological Sciences P rofessor Chye joined the University’s Department of Botany in 1993 and became a professor in 2005. Her research interests are plant molecular biology and plant biotechnology. Her research team has characterised a new gene family encoding acyl-CoA binding proteins in the model plant Arabidopsis. These proteins were shown to bind different acyl-CoA esters and exhibit various subcellular localisations, implicating their non-redundant roles in plant lipid metabolism. These studies, funded by the Research Grants Council of Hong Kong, have improved our understanding of plant lipid transfer and lipid- mediated stress tolerance. Her research in plant biotechnology has resulted in the issue of two US patents and the filing of three others. She currently serves on the editorial board of the international journal Planta . Professor Chye says that she values the opportunity to collaborate with other investigators both in Hong Kong and abroad. She enjoys the company of her enthusiastic research students and values their teamwork. “It makes life in the laboratory fun and rewarding.” mlchye@hkucc.hku.hk http://www.hku.hk/biosch/staff/mlc/mlc.html Outstanding Researcher Awards