Tam Wing Fan Neuroimaging Research Laboratory (NIR Lab)

About Mr. and Mrs. Tam Wing Fan

With the noble intention of enhancing clinical services and advancing medical research, Mr. and Mrs. Tam Wing Fan have generously donated 30 million to our university to establish the Tam Wing Fan Neuroimaging Research Laboratory at the LKS Faculty of Medicine, University of Hong Kong in 2023. The donation was utilized to upgrade a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner from 1.5 Tesla to 3 Tesla, enabling advanced and high-resolution imaging techniques to support clinical research on neurological diseases such as stroke, dementia and Parkinson's disease.

With much gratitude to Mr. and Mrs. Tam’s generous donation, our laboratory is committed to upholding their noble objectives of enhancing clinical services for patients and fostering innovative neuroimaging research on the mechanisms and treatment of neurological diseases.

Aim of NIR Laboratory

Tam Wing Fan Neuroimaging Research Laboratory is an integrated clinical, research and education unit dedicated to developing and utilizing advanced neuroimaging techniques to understand the mechanism of neurological diseases, improve clinical services and develop new treatments for patients suffering from the disease.

• Enhancing the understanding and management of brain diseases
• Advancing structural, functional and molecular MRI techniques at 3T magnetic field strength
• Identifying risk factors and neurobiological markers of vulnerability and hence provide early preventive interventions for brain and mental health disorders
• Discovering novel treatment strategies for brain and mental health disorders
• Fostering collaborations with the local scientific community and world-renowned universities on the advance care and research relating brain and mental health conditions
• Raising awareness of brain and mental health conditions in the community
• Milk

What we offer

Our MRI unit offers clinical scanning services for patients referred from hospitals and private doctors for (suspected) neurological diseases. Scanning is conducted with an advanced 3T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner (Siemens Magnetom Vida), enabling the acquisition of high-resolution images without radiation exposure.

Why we value your support

We have a passion in teaching, services and scientific studies. We encourage our patients to participate in studies because their first-hand experiences are valuable for us to advance the understanding and management of brain diseases.

Founding Members

Prof. Gary Kui Kai Lau

Director

Assistant Dean (Education Innovations) and Clinical Associate Professor in Neurology, HKUMed | Director of HKU Stroke | Co-Founder, ReMobility

Professor Gary Kui Kai Lau is a recognised regional leader in stroke, 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. His 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. He currently leads the Stroke Research and Prevention Group (HKU Stroke)

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Prof. Jianpan Huang

Deputy Director

Assistant Professor, Diagnostic Radiology, HKUMed | Principle Investigator of AIM lab

Dr Jianpan Huang is an assistant professor in the Department of Diagnostic Radiology at the Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong. He is a recognized researcher and active figure in the field of Magnetic Resonance Imaging, in particular the Chemical Exchange Saturation Transfer (CEST) MRI. He is a junior fellow of the International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine (ISMRM). He currently leads the Laboratory of Advanced Imaging in Medicine (AIM Lab) at HKUMed.

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Prof. Eva Yi Wah Cheung

Advisory committee

Assistant Professor, Diagnostic Radiology, HKUMed

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Working Group Members

Prof. LEE Tatia Mei-chun

Chair Professor of Psychological Science & Clinical Psychology and May Professor in Neuropsychology | Director of Laboratory of Neuropsychology and Human Neuroscience

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Prof. Ed X WU

Chair Professor of Biomedical Engineering | Lam Woo Professorship in Biomedical Engineering | Director of Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging and Signal Processing

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Prof. CHEUNG Tak Fai, Raymond

Clinical Professor in Neurology, HKUMed | Director of Acute Stroke Services at Hong Kong West Cluster | Honorary Consultant Neurologist of Queen Mary Hospital, Tung Wah Hospital and Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital

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Prof. CHANG Wing Chung

Chairperson of Department of Psychiatry & Assistant Dean (Well-being), HKUMed | Clinical Associate Professor | President, Hong Kong College of Psychiatrists | Invited member of the Advisory Committee on Mental Health (精神健康諮詢委員會), HK Government

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Prof. CHANG, Raymond Chuen Chung

Professor, Bingei and L & T Charitable Foundation Professor in Dementia Research, School of Biomedical Science, HKUMed

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Prof. Benjamin Becker

Professor in Department of Psychology, HKU | Director of Becker Lab

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Prof. CHAN Kit Wa, Sherry

Clinical Associate Professor, Director of Research at Department of Psychiatry HKU | Council member of the Hong Kong College of Psychiatrists

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Prof. Dorita H. F. CHANG

Associate Professor, Department of psychology HKU | Director of Chang Lab

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Prof. CAO Peng

Associate Professor, Department of Diagnostic Radiology HKU

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Prof. TEO Kay Cheong

Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine HKU

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Prof. Varut Vardhanabhuti, Vince

Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Diagnostic Radiology, HKU | Founder of Snowhill Science

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Prof. Cheng Pak Wing, Calvin

Clinical Assistant Professor, Director of Knowledge Exchange at Department of Psychiatry, HKU | Honorary Associate Consultant, Queen Mary Hospital | Representative of Hong Kong West Cluster, Clinical Division of Old Age Psychiatry, The Hong Kong College of Psychiatrists

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Prof. Charlene Lok-man LAM

Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, HKU | Director of Laboratory of Clinical Psychology & Affective Neuroscience

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Dr. Alex T.L. Leong

Research Assistant Professor, Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, HKU

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Administrative Board

Prof. Gary Kui Kai Lau, Director

Prof. Jianpan Huang, Deputy Director

Prof. Eva Yi Wah Cheung, Advisory committee

Mr. Shihao Zeng, Secretary

Events

First Monthly Gathering

First Monthly Gathering of Scientific Committee

24 April 2025

Opening Ceremony

Official opening ceremony of Tam Wing Fan Neuroimaging Research Laboratory

25 Oct 2023

Participant recruitment

The below projects have acquired ethical approval from the Institutional Review Board of their respective institutes. If you are interested in participating, please contact the project lead or their dedicated staff directly:

Develop clinical molecular and pH imaging for stroke diagnosis at 3T human scanner

Target: Stroke patients

Project lead: Dr. Jianpan Huang

Contact person: shihaoz@hku.hk

Recent News

Opening Ceremony

We have received a 5 million USD fund from NIH

25 Nov 2025

3T MRI machine

Tam Wing Fan Neuroimaging Research Laboratory is equipped with an advanced and state-of-the-art 3T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner (Siemens Magnetom Vida) designed for both clinical and research purposes. Our scanner enables the acquisition of high-resolution MRI images without the use of radiation. Specifically, MRI can decode the following information from our brain:

Structural Imaging (T1w, T2w, FLAIR and MRA):

• Visualizing the anatomy of the brain, including different regions, lobes, and structures.
• Detecting abnormalities such as tumors, cysts, lesions, or hemorrhages.
• Assessing the size and shape of brain structures for diagnostic purposes.

Diffusion Weighted Imaging (DWI) and Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI):

• Mapping white matter tracts and pathways in the brain to study connectivity.
• Assessing the integrity and organization of white matter fibers.
• Detecting abnormalities related to conditions such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, or brain injuries.

Perfusion Imaging (ASL, DCE MRI and DSC MRI):

• Measuring blood flow in the brain to assess perfusion and vascular health.
• Identifying areas of hypoperfusion or hyperperfusion that may indicate certain conditions.
• Monitoring changes in blood flow over time for stroke or tumor evaluation.

Molecular MRI (CEST and MT):

• Measuring tissue pH levels based on the exchange of protons between water and pH-sensitive molecules.
• Providing insights into protein and lipid content, cell density, myelin status and tissue microstructure, particularly in brain tumors and neurological disorders.
• Detecting specific metabolites in tissues, such as glucose, lactate, and creatine.

Functional MRI (fMRI):

• Mapping brain activity based on changes in blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) signals.
• Studying brain activation patterns during tasks, stimuli, or resting states.
• Investigating cognitive processes, emotions, and responses in real time.
• Evaluating brain connectivity and networks to understand how different regions interact.

Spectroscopy (MRS):

• Analyzing chemical composition in the brain to assess metabolites and biomarkers.
• Studying neurochemical changes associated with diseases such as tumors, epilepsy, or neurodegenerative disorders.
• Providing insights into brain metabolism and function at a molecular level.

Clinical scanning

We offer high-quality clinical scanning services for patients referred by hospitals and private physicians for the diagnosis of (suspected) neurological diseases and other clinical conditions.

Our stroke protocol is a cutting-edge, as we are the pioneering service unit in Hong Kong to incorporate advanced diffusion-tensor imaging (DTI) sequences into our routine stroke protocol. The DTI images are analyzed using advanced neuroimaging techniques (tractography) to assess the integrity of white matter tracts in stroke patients. We collaborate with hospital rehabilitation units to leverage neuroimaging data for rehabilitation purposes.

By choosing our services, you also provide a valuable learning opportunity for our medical students and researchers to deepen their understand of disease and develop innovative treatments. Your support helps us maintain a sustainable teaching environment, which we deeply appreciate.

To book a clinical MRI scanning, please refer to the website of the MRI unit, Department of Radiology, University of Hong Kong

Research scanning

Our centre is an integrated clinical, research and education unit. While we receive referrals from hospitals and private physicians for diagnostic imaging services, we also welcome researchers from inside and outside the University of Hong Kong to conduct neuroimaging studies in our laboratory.

For our participants' well-being during the study process, all projects must (1) be approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) of their respective organizations with supporting documents, (2) provide information sheet to and obtain written consent form from each participant, and (2) involve at least one of our scientific committee members as the principal or co-investigator to ensure sufficient supervision. Our scientific committee will meet every month to approve new projects within our laboratory.

If you are interested in collaboration, please contact our committee members directly or our secretariat.

To book a research MRI scanning, please contact MRI unit, Department of Radiology, University of Hong Kong

Coming soon

Coming soon

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FAQ

Does MRI have any potential harmful effects on my health?

MRI uses magnetic field to create images and does not use radiation. However, the scannig process can be noisy, so we will provide earplugs to protect your ears. Additionally, you will be askedto remove all metal objects before entering the scanner room. If you have metal implants, pacemakers or stents, please inform our staff when booking our service so we can assess the suitability of your condition on a case-by-case basis. In addition, if you have claustrophobia, you may not be able to attend an MRI scan. For further information, please contact us: https://radiology.med.hku.hk/en/Clinical-Services/MRI

Can I request diagnostic services at your center? What are the costs involved?

Yes, we accept referrals from hospitals and private physicians for diagnostic scanning. Please visit our website for information on service packages and pricing: https://radiology.med.hku.hk/en/Clinical-Services/MRI

Will my scans be used for research automatically?

You must sign a consent form to allow our researchers to utilize your neuroimages for research purposes. The data will be processed anonymously, and you have the option to withdraw from the study at any time.

Will my privacy be compromised if I participate in research?

All research data will be de-identified and processed anonymously. When we publish the data, we ensure that the publication does not include any personally identifying information.

Is my participation in research mandatory?

If you have booked a clinical service, you are not required to participate in research. However, if you have booked a research scanning session, you may not be able to undergo a scan if you refuse to participate in the study. Please contact your researcher directly for inquiries.

If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact us via ________@_____

Tam Wing Fan Neuroimaging Research Laboratory, LKS Faculty of Medicine, University of Hong Kong

Address:

LG3, The Jockey Club Building for Interdisciplinary Research, 5 Sasson Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong

Email:__________

Tam Wing Fan Neuroimaging Research Laboratory, LKS Faculty of Medicine, University of Hong Kong

Address:

LG3, The Jockey Club Building for Interdisciplinary Research, 5 Sasson Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong

Email:__________

Volunteering

There are various ways to volunteer for our laboratory:

I am a patient:

We encourage the patients and the public to participate in research studies (click here for ongoing study recruitment). Your contribution is invaluable for our scientists and medical students to understand the mechanisms of neurological diseases and develop new treatments.

I am a public / family caregiver:

We organize educational talks and events to help you understand and prevent neurological diseases. Please refer to the latest events: (link)

I am a professional / researcher:

We collaborate with professionals from various disciplines. If you are also passionate about advancing the understanding of neurological diseases through neuroimaging, please contact us to discuss further (email).

I am a student:

We have learning resources (link) and educational talks (link) for you to gain a better understanding of how neuroimaging can be beneficial for diagnosing and treating of neurological diseases.

Due to the high volume of attachment requests, we can only accept student helpers from The University of Hong Kong. All applications must be submitted with a CV to the secretariat (email) and approved by the Director of our laboratory. Safety training is mandatory for all helpers before commencing their attachment.