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Team Members
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (HongKong)
Dr. Stanley Winser
Dr. Winser is an Associate Professor of Physiotherapy in the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong. He specializes in Neuro-rehabilitation in Physiotherapy. Prof Winser serves as a board member of the Hong Kong Spinocerebellar Ataxia Association (HKSCAA), the Editor of the IMPACT newsletter of the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong and a reviewer for many peer-reviewed journals. At the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, HKPolyU, Prof Winser serves as the Doctor of Health Sciences, Physiotherapy (DHSc-PT) Specialism Coordinator and Neurology specialism coordinator of the MSc Advanced PT Programme. Prof Winser has a special interest in and an inclination towards teaching and research. Prof Winser’s key research focuses on the economic evaluation of balance interventions and fall prevention programs for people with movement disorders and older adults.
Dr. Richard Xu
Dr. Xu is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences at PolyU, with expertise in social epidemiology and psychometrics. His research focuses on measuring health-related quality of life using preference-based and condition-specific instruments, developing and validating patient-reported outcome measures, eliciting preferences for healthcare service utilization, evaluating the impact of socioeconomic determinants on well-being, and assessing the impact of web-based mental health disorders. Dr. Xu has published over 90 papers in international peer-reviewed journals and serves as the principal investigator for multiple projects funded by the HMRF and EuroQol Research Foundation. He is the associate editor of the Health and Quality of Life Outcomes.
Dr. Serena NG
Serena started her Occupational Therapy career in public acute general hospitals and in major rehabilitation hospitals, including physical and psychiatric services. All along, Serena has foresight and sense of innovation in the application of evidence-based advanced technology e.g. Brian-computer Interface in Cognitive rehab, customized Virtual Reality treatment modalities, Occupational Lifestyle Redesign Program for stroke patients and Wellbeing promotion in mental health services. Her recent project includes Alternative & Augmentative Communication technology for NMD, Powered Mobility design for clients with movement disorders.
Prof. Meizhen Huang
Prof. Meizhen Huang is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Her research focuses on neurorehabilitation, particularly in individuals with stroke and Parkinson’s disease. She investigates the neuromuscular mechanisms underlying motor impairments and explores innovative interventions to enhance functional recovery. Her recent work centers on the application and effects of high-intensity exercise and non-invasive brain stimulation to improve balance and gait performance. Prof. Huang also leads translational research involving rehabilitation technologies, including wearable robotics and sensorimotor training systems, with the goal of integrating cutting-edge solutions into clinical practice. Her interdisciplinary approach combines biomechanics, neurophysiology, and clinical trials to develop evidence-based strategies that optimize mobility and reduce fall risk in neurological populations. Through collaborative and patient-centered research, she aims to bridge the gap between scientific discovery and practical application, ultimately improving the quality of life for individuals living with neurodegenerative and neurovascular conditions.
Prof. CHAN Wai Chi
Prof Chan is a clinical professor at the University of Hong Kong (HKU) Department of Psychiatry. He is also the chief of service at Queen Mary Hospital, leading the psychiatric service in the Hong Kong West Cluster, and is the chair of specialty of Mental Health Services at the Gleneagles Hospital Hong Kong.
In 2016, Prof Chan was elected to Fellowship of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, and in 2017, he was awarded an honorary membership of the World Psychiatric Association. In addition, Prof Chan is a council member of the Asian Society Against Dementia and a member of the Alzheimer's Disease Research Network of HKU.
His research focuses on longitudinal follow-up of older persons to identify the predictors of neurocognitive disorders, prevalence and interventions of behavioural and psychological symptoms associated with neurocognitive disorders, caregiver burden and intervention, interventions for late-life depression, and psychiatric epidemiology.
Dr. Chen Cynthia
Dr Cynthia Chen’s expertise lies at the intersection of health economics, ageing, and public health policy, with a focus on evaluating interventions that promote living well and productive longevity. She is particularly interested in healthcare financing and reimbursement strategies in Singapore and the broader region, emphasising value-based care and the role of different payers in shaping healthcare costs. Dr Chen currently leads a programme of work on the effectiveness of programme for older adults, funded through a Clinician Scientist Award. Her research has been supported by Singapore’s Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Education, the US National Institutes of Aging, and the Thai Health Promotion Foundation, among others. In addition to her research, she teaches courses in public health economics and applied health econometrics.
Dr. Susan Whitney
Dr. Whitney received her PhD in motor development/motor learning from the University of Pittsburgh and her professional physical therapy education from Temple University. She is a professor in the Departments of Physical Therapy and Otolaryngology at the University of Pittsburgh.
Dr. Whitney is supported by the Department of Defense to develop technology for persons with vestibular disorders and mild brain injury. She has authored or coauthored 210 articles on Medline, received the APTA John Maley Award, and was awarded the Hallpike-Nylen award, which recognizes outstanding clinical research achievement in vestibular medicine by the Barany Society.
Dr. Umar Bello
Dr. Umar Muhammad Bello is a lecturer at the Department of Physiotherapy and Paramedicine, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, United Kingdom.
Umar's research focuses on the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of action of Neurorehabilitation modalities, with special interest in Mirror therapy. He has published over 40 research articles in renowned academic journals in the field of health sciences. In addition, Umar has over 20 conference papers presented in various locations across the globe.
Umar received his PhD from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (HKPolyU), then held post- doctoral fellowship position at the Centre for Eye and Vision Research, Hong Kong. Prior to joining the HKPolyU, he studied his undergraduate degree and MSc in Physiotherapy (Neurology) at the University of Maiduguri, in Nigeria and Keele University, in the United Kingdom, respectively.
Mr. Premraj Issac Chandran
Mr. Premraj Issac Chandran completed Occupational therapy degree from Dr. M.G.R. Medical University in 2000 and worked for three years at Schieffelin Hospital as a community occupational therapist. He pursued his Master's in Occupational Therapy from Manipal College of Allied Health Sciences in 2006. After teaching occupational therapy to students for a short time at SRM Medical College, he joined Hamad Medical Corporation in 2008 as an Occupational Therapist in the Adult Rehabilitation unit and continues to be part of the corporation till date. He has also completed a MBA in Hospital Administration and is pursuing a Ph.D. in Occupational Therapy from Nova Southeastern University, Florida, which he will complete in 2025.
Over the years, he worked in spinal cord injury inpatient rehab for almost ten years before becoming the Adult Occupational Therapy(OT) supervisor. After six years as supervisor, he was promoted to the Director of Adult Rehabilitation - Occupational Therapy in 2022 at Qatar Rehabilitation Institute(QRI). As a leader, he pioneered the lab-based occupational therapy models at QRI along with his team. The lab-based model is based on domains specific to the patients treated daily in OT. E.g. the Neuro arms + hands lab is for improving arms and hands performance. The Think + Act Lab is for enhancing cognitive abilities. The work-hardening lab improves the ability to be ready to return to an occupation. He envisioned how OTs could use robotics efficiently and effectively in upper extremity and cognitive rehabilitation.
Prem is a highly performing leader. His proactiveness has brought in a lot of research initiatives and a few publications from him and his team in the Adult OT unit of QRI. His 23 years of experience, blended with his leadership skills, makes it easy for him to align with the vision of the leadership of QRI and the profession. His love for teaching has taken him to different OT schools in India, where he has spoken to students about recent advances in Occupational therapy and how one needs to be more competent to meet the challenges at work.
Dr. Simon Hoermann
Dr. Simon Hoermann is an Associate Professor at the School of Product Design, University of Canterbury, New Zealand. He specializes in transformational computing, focusing on health technologies and learning applications. He is an active member of the Aotearoa Brain Project leadership team and served on the International Society for Virtual Rehabilitation board. He has contributed significantly to research in virtual rehabilitation, augmented reality interfaces, and game-based learning environments, particularly for training and therapy. His work explores how technology and interaction design can enhance user experience and support individuals—especially those with disabilities—in achieving their full potential.
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