Animals and human beings can be different in three major aspects: Civilization, History and Language.

Civilization is about challenge and how we cope with it: success (survive) or failure (extinct). To survive, it is critical to have a group of creative people with mission. And mission is something when your passion meets with the real needs of the world but not your own selfish interest.

History is important as we are shaped by people that we never met before. Die sich des Vergangenen nicht erinnern, sind dazu verurteilt, es noch einmal zu erleben (George Santayana). However, History tells us that we cannot learn from her (Maybe we don't like studying History).

Language is the dress of thought (Samuel Johnson). Moreover, the limits of my language are the limits of my world (Ludwig Wittgenstein).

It is clear that Civilization cannot survive without her History and History must accompany by her Language. Mathematics, as a language for sciences, learning it is a must. However, not all courses are helpful but some are meaningful. I am happy to chat with you about your course selection.

From time to time I receive many emails from many potential research students (in 2012-2013, I had 8 Ph.D. students which is my maximum capacity and I tend not to admit a lot of graduate students). The following is my expectation. You may not be a first class student from a world class University when you come but you should be a first class student from a world class University when you graduate. A world class student concerns not only about publishing a lot of papers and remarkable results but also cares about people in poverty and willing to contribute in building a righteous society. You should note that there is a fundamental difference between ``a scholar'' and ``a knowledgeable person''.

You can do a Ph.D. in 5 years with an exit point. You can apply for a M. Phil. study here, which will last for 2 years. If you are doing well, after you get the M. Phil. Degree, you may apply for a Ph.D. study, which will last for 3 years. However, after you finish your M. Phil. Degree, and you find doing a Ph.D. is not suitable to you, you may simply earn the M. Phil. Degree and quit. This serves as an exit point.

My current research areas are Computational Biology, Computational Management Science and Numerical Linear Algebra. In the following, let me share more about my opinions on Ph.D. study.

• First, you must regard doing research as your hobby, something you love to do for fun but not for a prize. Thus the only motivation of your application should be that you would like to spend a couple of years in understanding a certain topic.
• Second, your studentship is to support you for the above purpose and it does not serve as a temporary nine-to-five job before you find a permanent one.
• Third, there are minimum academic requirements at HKU. For me, generally speaking my minimum academic requirements are : A TOEFL score higher than 90 and a GPA greater than 3.6 (out of 4.0) or above 90%.
• Fourth please don't be too practical as we are not a vocational training school, there may not exist a tailor-made job waiting for you after your graduation. One should recall the failure of China's modernization in the past, it was due to the fact that we were too practical and we had totally missed the spirit of science and democracy.
• Fifth, one should learn that ``The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath'' (Mark 2:27). Therefore for me the only purpose of practicing Mathematics is for the goodness of mankind.
• Finally, I have to tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed; but if it dies, it produces many seeds (John 12:24). Similarly, unless the research of mathematics falls into the reality and melts, she remains just a single abstract outsider. But if she melts and dissolves, she bears many new disciplines.

• Man-Yi YIM (Post-doc. 2013-2015)
• Jiawen GU (Post-doc. 2016-2017)
• Fenghui YU (Post-doc. 2018-2019)
• Qingqing YANG (Post-doc. 2019-2020)
• Benmeng LYU (Post-doc. 2023-2024)

• Jiaming ZHANG (Ph.D. 2024-) [HK Ph.D. Fellowship]
• Yuqiao ZHAO (M. Phil. 2023-)
• Christopher FOK (Ph.D. 2022-) [HKU Presidential Ph.D. Scholarship]
• Chengyang LIU (2022-)
• Jiaying ZHAO (Ph.D. 2021-)
• Yicheng WANG (Ph.D. 2021-)
• Zhantao MA (Ph.D. 2021-)
• Chung Wang WONG (Ph.D. 2020-)

1. Wenya SUN (Ph.D. 2019-2024) Data-Driven Insights into ESG Dynamics and Transportation Systems. Post-Doc Fellow at Hong Kong Productivity Council.
2. Liangjie SUN (Ph.D. 2019-2023) Stabilization and Reconstrucibility of Booleab Networks and Compressive Power of Autoencoders. Post-doc. Fellow at Kyoto University. [JSPS (Japan Society for the Promotion of Science) Fellowship]
3. Benmeng LYU (Ph.D. 2019-2023) Online Portfolio Selection Problems in Portfolio Management. Post-doc. Fellow at the University of Hong Kong.
4. Chufeng WU (Ph.D. 2018-2022) On Portfolio Management and Derivative Hedging. Research Scientist (International Digital Economy Academy)
5. Sini GUO (Ph.D. 2017-2021) Optimization Modeling for Portfolio Selection and Boolean Network Problems. [The HKU University Fellowship; Hung Hing Ying Scholarship] Assistant Professor (Beijing Institute of Technology)
6. Junlong LYU (Ph.D. 2017-2021) Effective Particle Methods in Calculating Effective Diffusivities an KPP Type Front Speeds in Periodic, Chaotic and Random Flow Fields. Research Scientist (Huawei, Hong Kong) [Hong Kong Ph.D. Fellowship, 2017.]
7. Sijing LI (Ph.D. 2017-2021) Dimension reduction Methods for PDEs with Multiscale and Random Natures. Research Scientist (Huawei, Hong Kong)
8. Shangzhi ZENG (Ph.D. 2018-2021) Convergence Analysis of Some Algorithms for Convex Optimization from Variational Analysis Perspectives.
9. Dingjiong MA (Ph.D. 2016-2020) Model Reduction Methods for a Class of PDEs in Multiscale and Random Media. Research Scientist (Huawei, Hong Kong)
10. Zhongjian WANG (Ph.D. 2016-2020) Robust Lagrangian Numerical Schemes in Computing Effective Diffusivities for Chaotic and Random Flows. Post-Doc Fellow (University of Chicago) [Hong Kong Ph.D. Fellowship, 2016.]
11. Wanhua HE (Ph.D. 2015-2019) Mathematical Modelling in Production, Operations and Finance. Management Trainee. [Hong Kong Ph.D. Fellowship, 2015.]
12. Feng-Hui YU (Ph.D. 2014-2018) On Pricing, Hedging and Trading in Financial Management. Assistant Professor, TU Delft [The HKU University Fellowship, 2014, [PIMS Student Travel Award 2016, SIAM Student Travel Award 2016.]
13. Qing-Qing YANG (Ph.D. 2014-2018) Optimal Market Making and Liquidation Strategies in Quantitative Trading. Quantitative Financial Analyst at China International Capital Corporation. [PIMS Student Travel Award 2016, SIAM Student Travel Award 2016, SIAM Student Travel Award 2017.]
14. Wen-Pin HOU (Ph.D. 2013-2017) Mathematical Modelling and Optimization in Biological Networks and Data. Assistant Professor at Columbia University. [The HKU University Fellowship, 2013.]
15. Jiejun LU (M. Phil. 2015-2017) Hidden Markovian Regime-Switching Models for Pricing and Investment in Financial Markets. Postgraduate Study at Harvard University.
16. Xiaoqing CHENG (Ph.D. 2012-2016) On Construction and Identification Problems in Probabilistic Boolean Networks. Associate Professor (Xian Jiaotong University, China).
17. Yue XUE (Ph.D. 2012-2016) On Optimal Decision Models for Supply Chain and Financial Mangement. Asspciate Professor (Zhejiang University of Technology, China).
18. Yu-Shan QIU (Ph.D. 2011-2015) Mathematical Models for Biological Networks and Machine Learning with Applications. Associate Professor (Shenzhen University, China) [The Best Paper Award in CSO2014, Beijing, China, 2014.]
19. Jia-Wen GU (Ph.D. 2010-2014) On Credit Risk Modeling and Credit Derivative Pricing. Quantitative Research (JP Morgan Chase) and Post-doctoral Fellow (University of Copenhagen, Denmark) [The HKU University Fellowship, 2010; The Best Paper Award in CSO2011, Kunming, China, 2011; IMS workshop travel award, 2011.]
20. Dong-Mei ZHU (Ph.D. 2010-2014) Construction of Non-standard Markov Models and Applications. Associate Professor (School of Economics and Management, Southeast University) [The Best Paper Award in BIFE2012, Lanzhou, China, 2012.]
21. Hao JIANG (Ph.D. 2009-2013) Construction and Computation Methods for Biological Networks. Associate Professor and Associate Dean (Renmin University of China) [The HKU University Fellowship; Hung Hing Ying Scholarship and the Best Paper Award in ISB2012, Xian, China, 2012.]
22. Na SONG (Ph.D. 2009-2013) Mathematical Models and Numerical Algorithms for Option Pricing and Optimal Trading. Associate Professor (School of Management and Economics, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China) [The Best Paper Award in CSO2012, Harbin, China, 2012; The Best Paper Award in BIFE2012, Lanzhou, China, 2012.]
23. Bo GUAN (Ph.D. 2009-2013) On Some New Threshold-type Time Series Models. Quantitative Analyst (Deutsch Bank).
24. Xi CHEN (Ph.D. 2008-2012) On Construction and Control of Probabilistic Boolean Networks. Post-doc. (Hong Kong City University).
25. Yang CONG (Ph.D. 2007-2012) Optimization Models and Computational Methods for Systems Biology. Post-doc. (Cornell University).
26. Xi-Min HUANG (M. Phil. 2009-2011) Mathematical Models for Coordination in Supply Chain Management. Ph.D. study in Management at Georgia Institute of Technology. [The HKU University Fellowship; the Dean's Fellowship of Georgia Institute of Technology (2011); Outstanding Research Postgraduate Student Award (2012)]
27. Ada YUNG (M. Phil. 2008-2010) On Block Preconditioners for the Incompressible Navier-Stokes Equations.
28. Sin-Man CHOI (M. Phil. 2008-2010) Game Theory and Stochastic Queueing Networks with Applications to Service System. Ph.D. Study in Operations Research and Industrial Engineering at U.C. Berkeley. [Outstanding Research Postgraduate Student Award, HKU, 2011; IEOR Faculty Fellowship, UC Berkeley (2011); Marshall-Oliver-Rosenberger Fellowship, UC Berkeley (2012).]
29. Limin LI (Ph.D. 2006-2010) Machine Learning Methods for Computational Biology. Professor (School of Mathematical Science, Xian Jiao-Tong University) and Post-doc. (Max Planck Institute). [The 5th APBC Conference Travel Award, India; DAAD Summer School Travel Award, China.]
30. Ho-Yin LEUNG (M. Phil. 2007-09) Stochastic Models for Optimal Control with Applications. Management Trainee (Finance)
31. Yue JIAO (M. Phil. 2007-09) Mathematical Models for Control of Probabilistic Boolean Networks. Management Trainee (Banking).
32. Tang LI (M. Phil. 2006-08) Markov Chain Models for Re-manufacturing Systems and Credit Risk Management. Educational assistant.
33. Yiu-Fai LEE (M. Phil. 2004-06) Some Mathematical Models on Genetics. Ph.D. study (Medical Faculty).
34. Allen H. TAI (M. Phil. 2004-06) Stochastic Models for Inventory Systems and Networks. Ph.D. study (Engineering Faculty). [Excellent Student Paper Award in the 36th C&IE conference, Taiwan; Outstanding Research Postgraduate Student Award, HKU; Excellent Student Paper Award in the World Congress on Engineering, U.K.]
35. Sio-Iong AO (Ph.D. 2004-07) Data Mining Algorithms for Genomic Analysis. Post-Doctoral Fellow, Oxford University and Harvard University.
36. Shu-Qin ZHANG. (Ph.D. 2003-07) Mathematical Models and Algorithms for Genetic Regulatory Networks. Professor, School of Mathematical Sciences, Fudan University and visiting professor at Yale University.
37. Eric S. FUNG (Ph.D. 2003-06) High-dimensional Markov Chain models for Categorical Data Sequences with Applications. Lecturer, Hong Kong Baptist University.
38. You-Wei WEN (Ph.D. 2003-06) Fast Solvers for Toeplitz Systems with Applications to Image Restoration. Professor, Department of Mathematics, Hunan Normal University.
39. Wai-On YUEN (M. Phil. 2002-04) Models and Numerical Algorithms for Re-manufacturing Systems. High School Teacher.
40. Ka-Kuen WONG (M. Phil. 2002-04) Stochastic Models for Customer Relationship Management. Financial Analyst.

HKU Final Year Project Students

1. Suying LIU (2022) Ph.D. Study in Computer Science, University of Maryland, USA.
2. Ruo-Chen LIANG (2014) Ph.D. Study in Mathematics, U.C. Berkeley, USA.
3. Bo JIANG (2013) Ph.D. Study in Economics, University of Chicago, USA.
4. Phyllis WAN (2012) Ph.D. Study in Statistics at Columbia University, USA.
5. Liang SUN (2010) Ph.D. Study in Industrial Engineering and Operations Research, University of Texas, Austin, USA.
6. Steven XIE (2009) Ph.D. Study in Applied Physics at California Institute of Technology, USA.
7. Miao SUN (2009) Master Study in Finance at Columbia University, USA.
8. Xi-Min HUANG (2009) Master Study in Mathematical Modeling at the University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
9. Hui ZHOU (2008) Master Study in Biostatistics at University of Minnesota, USA.
10. Yang NING (2007) Ph.D. Study in Biostatistics at Johns Hopkins University, USA.
11. Laura G. LUO (2007) Ph.D. Study in Economics at Northwest University, USA.
12. Dian SHEN (2006) Ph.D. Study in Mathematical Finance at New York University, USA.