Professor Chi-Ming Che is a world-renowned inorganic chemist and leading authority in metal complex chemistry whose groundbreaking research spans catalysis, materials science, and medicinal applications. He currently holds the prestigious Zhou Guangzhao Professorship in Natural Sciences and serves as Chair of Chemistry at The University of Hong Kong, where he has been a faculty member since 1983 following his postdoctoral research at California Institute of Technology under Nobel laureate Harry B. Gray. After earning his B.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Chemistry from HKU in 1978 and 1982 respectively, Professor Che rapidly established himself as a rising star in inorganic chemistry, becoming the first scientist from Hong Kong to be elected to the Chinese Academy of Sciences in 1995. His leadership extends to directing China's State Key Laboratory of Synthetic Chemistry at HKU, where he has cultivated an environment of interdisciplinary innovation that bridges traditional chemistry with practical applications in energy and healthcare.
Professor Che's pioneering research on phosphorescent d10 and d8 metal complexes has revolutionized the development of OLED technology and anti-cancer metal medicines, with his work on metal-catalyzed oxidative functionalization of hydrocarbons providing more sustainable chemical processes that reduce environmental impact. His development of reactive metal-ligand multiple bonded complexes has enabled breakthroughs in thermal and photochemical atom transfer reactions, while his discovery of novel platinum-based anticancer compounds represents a significant advancement in metallodrug design with one compound (Pt1b) recently passing IND application review in Mainland China for clinical trials. The practical impact of his research is evidenced by his impressive H-index of 87 and recognition as one of the ISI Highly Cited Researchers, with his 2006 First Class Prize of the State Natural Science Award of China acknowledging the transformative nature of his contributions to fundamental and applied chemistry. His scientific influence extends to luminescent materials, where his work on triplet emitters has advanced the efficiency of light-emitting technologies with applications in displays and lighting.
Beyond his research achievements, Professor Che has played a pivotal role in advancing scientific capacity across Asia through his leadership positions at numerous Chinese universities and his mentorship of generations of chemists. As a foreign associate of the United States National Academy of Sciences since 2013 and recipient of the Royal Society of Chemistry Centenary Prize in 2013, he continues to bridge international scientific communities while maintaining an active research program focused on next-generation molecular emitters for OLEDs and wearable devices. His current research directions emphasize the translation of fundamental discoveries into practical applications, particularly in the development of innovative molecular emitters and anti-cancer therapies that address unmet medical needs. Professor Che's enduring legacy lies in his unique ability to connect disparate fields of chemistry with real-world applications, ensuring that his work not only advances scientific knowledge but also delivers tangible benefits to society through improved materials, more efficient energy technologies, and novel therapeutic approaches.
