The Faculty of Engineering at The University of Hong Kong (HKU) successfully hosted the William Mong Distinguished Lecture cum Workshop on March 27, 2026, bringing together leading experts in biomedical imaging to explore the latest frontiers of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in science and medicine. The lecture was coordinated by Professor Ed X. WU, Lam Woo and Chair Professor of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.
From left to right: Professor Tong ZHANG, Professor John C. GORE, Professor Ed WU.
Professor John C. GORE from the Vanderbilt University delivered a keynote entitled “Functional MRI of Human Brain White Matter”. Professor GORE shared over 35 years of expertise, revealing groundbreaking findings that BOLD Functional MRI signals in white matter can be robustly detected. These signals don’t just mirror gray matter; they also unveil patterns linked to conditions like Alzheimer’s disease, opening new doors to understanding brain health and disease.
Professor John C. GORE delivered the keynote.
The keynote was followed by a dynamic workshop, “Magnetic Resonance Imaging Frontiers in Science and Medicine”, dove into cutting-edge MRI technologies and their clinical applications. Topics ranged from advanced methods like quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) and transport mapping (QTM), which offer new and detailed insights into imaging neurodegenerative and vascular diseases, to innovations aimed at addressing unmet healthcare needs such as faster imaging protocols, AI-enhanced analysis, and portable MRI systems to boost accessibility and enable early diagnosis.
Professor Yi WANG from Cornell University
Professor Vikas GULANI from University of Michigan
Professor Yucheng CHEN from Sichuan University
Professor Hua GUO from Tsinghua University
Professor Walter W. K. SETO from HKU Medicine
Professor Gary K. K. LAU from HKU Medicine
Moderated by Professor Ed WU (HKU) and Professor Jia Hong GAO (Peking University), the panel featured renowned international experts, Professor Yi WANG (Cornell University), Professor Vikas GULANI (University of Michigan), Professor Yucheng CHEN (Sichuan University), Professor Hua GUO (Tsinghua University), Professor Walter W. K. SETO (HKU Medicine) and Professor Gary K. K. LAU (HKU Medicine). They explored the current challenges and exciting future prospects of MRI technology in research and clinical practice.
Experts and scholars engaged in a dynamic exchange during the panel discussion.
For more details, please visit the Faculty website (news source): https://engg.hku.hk/News-Events/News/issue/2026-04#8798
For viewing the lecture recording, please visit link.