Tam Wah-Ching Professorship in Medical Science

Professor Kelvin To is the Chairperson of the Department of Microbiology and the Director of the Carol Yu Centre for Infection at The University of Hong Kong (HKU), and the Chief of Service of the Department of Microbiology at Queen Mary Hospital. He earned his MBBS and MD degrees from HKU. He holds fellowships across major international and local professional bodies, including the Royal College of Pathologists, the Royal College of Physicians, and the Hong Kong Academy of Medicine.

As a clinical microbiologist, Professor To’s research focuses on the surveillance, epidemiology, molecular diagnostics, and immunopathogenesis of emerging infectious diseases, especially on SARS-CoV-2 and influenza viruses. During the 2009 influenza pandemic, he clearly demonstrated that severe disease was associated with slower decline in viral load and a dysregulated inflammatory response, highlighting the importance of timely antiviral and immunomodulatory treatment. He is also one of the pioneers in using saliva for respiratory virus diagnostic testing, and his work has led to the implementation of saliva testing during the COVID-19 pandemic. His translational work advances the risk assessment of emerging avian influenza viruses through seroepidemiology and human respiratory organoid models. 

Professor To has been named a Clarivate Highly Cited Researcher from 2021 to 2025. He was awarded the prestigious State Science and Technology Progress Award (Grand Prize) by the State Council of the People's Republic of China, the RCPath Achievement Award (Highly Commended), and the Hong Kong Academy of Medicine's Distinguished Young Fellow award.

Beyond academia, Professor To actively contributes to public health and community service through various advisory roles. He serves on the Scientific Committee on Vaccine Preventable Diseases under the Centre for Health Protection, and previously served as a member of the Drinking Water Safety Advisory Committee. Additionally, he is a member of the Education and Research Committee of the Hong Kong Medical Museum.