Staff Profile

School of Science and Technology People Key Staff Staff Profile
Prof. Tam Fung Yee Nora 譚鳳儀教授
BSc (Hons) CUHK, MSc Sheffield UK, MPhil CUHK, PhD York UK
C.I. Biol, F.I. Biol, BBS, JP
Chair Professor of Environmental Science and Conservation
School of Science and Technology

Biography

Prof. Nora Fung-yee Tam, BBS, JP is a renowned scholar in environmental biology, with a focus on biological waste treatment, bioremediation and mangrove ecology. She is currently the Research Professor in School of Science & Technology, The Open University of Hong Kong and the Emeritus Professor in the Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong. She is also the Fellow of The Open University of Hong Kong. Prof. Tam has more than 35 years of research experiences on the ecology and conservation of mangrove and coastal wetlands, remediation of toxic pollutants and pollution control, and biotechnology in waste and wastewater treatment. Prof. Tam was the Director of Futian-CityU Mangrove Research and Development Center and Member of the State Key Laboratory in Marine Pollution in City University of Hong Kong, as well as the Principal Investigator for several research projects. She has taken up many honorary appointments at universities and institutions in Hong Kong and the Mainland, and carried out consultancy work for companies in the environmental industry. Prof. Tam has an extensive publication record, with around 380 original research articles in SCI journals, 21 book chapters, 10 books and trained more than 150 students' projects from undergraduate to doctoral degree levels. According to the Shanghai Ranking’s Global Ranking of Academic Subjects in 2016 by Elsevier, she is one of the most cited researchers in the area of environmental science and engineering. She is also on the top 2% of the world's most cited environmental scientists according to the latest report of Stanford University, USA.  Prof. Tam has developed close connections with government, private sectors (environmental consultant companies) and green groups, making valuable contribution to the promotion of scientific research, education, and environmental conservation. Prof. Tam was awarded the Bronze Bauhinia Star by the HKSAR Government in 2012.

Teaching Areas & Research Interests

  • Ecology and conservation of mangrove and coastal wetlands
  • Bioremediation of toxic pollutants
  • Biotechnology in waste treatment and pollution Control

Academic & Professional Experience

2020-                Emeritus Professor, Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong

2017-20           Chair Professor of Biology, Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong

8/2016-12/16   Acting Head, Department of Biology and Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong

2005-16           Chair Professor of Biology, Department of Biology and Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong

2003-20           Deputy Director / Director, Futian-CityU Mangrove Research and Development Centre, City University of Hong Kong

1996-05           Professor, Department of Biology and Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong

1996-99           Associate Dean, Faculty of Science and Engineering, City University of Hong Kong

1993-96           University Senior Lecturer / Associate Professor (A), Department of Biology and Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong

1993-95           Visiting Lecturer, School of Biological Sciences, University of Portsmouth, UK

1992‑93           Principal Lecturer, Department of Applied Science, City Polytechnic of Hong Kong

1990‑92           Senior Lecturer, Department of Applied Science, City Polytechnic of Hong Kong

1988‑90           Senior Lecturer, Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, Hong Kong Polytechnic

1982‑88           Lecturer, Department of Applied Science, Hong Kong Polytechnic

1985‑86           Visiting Lecturer, Department of Extra‑mural Studies, Chinese University of Hong Kong

1983‑84           Visiting Lecturer, Department of Extra‑mural Studies, University of Hong Kong. 

1979‑82           Demonstrator, Department of Biology, University of York 

1978‑79           Graduate Assistant, Department of Biology, Chinese University of Hong Kong

1976‑77           Demonstrator, Department of Biology, Chinese University of Hong Kong

 

Selected Publications

Books

  • Demonstration and Evaluation on Ecological Restoration of Wetlands in Overseas China Town, Zan Q J and Tam N F Y, Ocean Press, Beijing, China, 2016
  • Research on Restoration Technology of Coastal Wetland Ecosystems – A Case Study of Shenzhen Bay, eds. Zan Q J, Tam N F Y and Li Y C, Ocean Press, Beijing, China, 2013
  • Phytoremediation Using Constructed Mangrove Wetlands: Mechanisms and Application Potential. Ke L and Tam N F Y. Nova Science Publisher, Inc., New York, 2012

Book Chapters

  • Wang Y F and Tam N F Y. Microbial remediation of organic pollutants. In: World Seas: An Environmental Evaluation Volume III: Ecological Issues and Environmental Impacts (Ed. Sheppard C), Elsevier, pp. 283-303 (2018)
  • Ke L and Tam N F Y*. Toxicity and bioavailability of heavy metals and hydrocarbons in mangrove wetlands and their remediation. In: Environmental Contamination – Health Risks, Bioavailability and Bioremediation (Ed. Wong MH), Taylor and Francis, CRC Press, Chapter 17, pp. 371-392 (2012)
  • Ke L, Wong Y S and Tam N F Y*. Toxicity and removal of organic pollutants by microalgae: A review. In: Microalgae: Biotechnology, Microbiology and Energy, Nova Science Publisher, Inc., Chapter 3, pp. 101-140 (2011)
  • Chen G C, Tam N F Y, Ye Y and Chen B. Greenhouse gas emissions from intertidal wetland soils under anthropogenic activities. In: Estuarine and Coastal Sciences Series: Volume 2, Carbon Mineralization in Coastal Wetlands: From Litter Decomposition to Greenhouse Gas Dynamics (Eds. Ouyang X G, Lee S Y, Lai D Y F and Marchand C), Elsevier, pp. 269-293 (2022)

Journal Articles

  • Xiong C H, Li Q W, Tam N F Y, Zhang X M, Tai Y P, Wu R T, Huang L J, Vymazal J, Dai Y N* and Yang Y*. The combined sequence effect on nitrogen removal pathway in hybrid constructed wetlands treating raw sewage from multiple perspectives. Science of the Total Environment, 833: 155200 (2022)
  • Alam M R, Rahman M M, Tam N F Y, Yu R M K and MacFarlane G R*. The accumulation and distribution of arsenic species and selected metals in the saltmarsh halophyte, spiny rush (Juncus acutus). Marine Pollution Bulletin, 175: 113373 (2022)
  • Ouyang X G, Carlos D, Cheung S G, Tam N F Y, Stefano C, Martin C, Lo H S and Lee S Y. Fate and effects of macro- and microplastics in coastal wetlands. Environmental Science & Technology, 56: 2386-2397 (2022)
  • Chi Y H, Peng L, Tam N F Y, Lin Q R, Liang H B, Li W C* and Ye Z H*. Effects of fly ash and steel slag on cadmium and arsenic accumulation in rice grains and soil health: A field study over four crop seasons in Guangdong, China. Geoderma, 419: 115879 (2022)
  • Wei P P, Lei A P, Zhou H C, Hu Z L, Wong Y S, Tam N F Y* and Lu Q. Comparison of microbial community structure and function in sediment between natural regenerated and original mangrove forests in a National Nature Mangrove Reserve, South China. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 163: 111955 (2021)
  • Pan Y, Leung P Y, Li Y Y, Chen J, Kong R Y C and Tam N F Y*. Enhancement effect of nanoscale zero-valent iron addition on microbial degradation of BDE-209 in contaminated mangrove sediment. Science of the Total Environment, 781: 146702 (2021)
  • Tang J P, Fang J, Tam N F Y*, Yang Y*, Dai Y N*, Zhang J H and Shi Y M. Impact of phytoplankton blooms on concentrations of antibiotics in sediment and snails in a subtropical river, China. Environmental Science & Technology, 55: 1811-1821 (2021)
  • Duan J H, Han J, Zhou H C, Lau Y L, An W W, Wei P P, Cheung S G, Yang Y and Tam N F Y*. Development of a digestion method for determining microplastic pollution in vegetal-rich clayey mangrove sediments. Science of the Total Environment, 707: 136030 (2021)
  • Yang L H, Xiao S R, Yang Q, Luan T G* and Tam N F Y*. Recovery of subtropical coastal intertidal system prokaryotes from a destruction event and the role of extracellular polymeric substances in the presence of endocrine disrupting chemicals. Environment International 144: 106023 (2020)
  • Deng D, Chen H X, Wong Y S and Tam N F Y* Physiological response and oxidative transformation of 2,2',4,4' tetrabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-47) by a Chlorella isolate. Science of the Total Enviornment 744: 140869 (2020)
  • Qi X L, Tam N F Y, Li W C and Ye Z H*. The role of root apoplastic barriers in cadmium translocation and accumulation in cultivars of rice (Oryza sativa L.) with different Cd-accumulating characteristics. Environmental Pollution 264: 114736 (2020)
  • Tang J P, Wang S, Tai Y P, Tam N F Y, Su L H, Shi Y M, Luo B K, Tao R*, Yang Y* and Zhang X M*. Evaluation of factors influencing annual occurrence, bioaccumulation, and biomagnification of antibiotics in planktonic food webs of a large subtropical river in South China. Water Research, 170: 115302 (2020)
  • Tian T T, Yang Q, Wei G L, Cheung S G, Shin P K S, Wong Y S, Li Z, Chen Z H and Tam N F Y*. Changes of substrate microbial biomass and community composition in a constructed mangrove wetland for municipal wastewater treatment during 10-years operation. Marine Pollution Bulletin 155: 111095 (2020)
  • Zhou H C, Tam N F Y*, Cheung S G, Wei P P, Li S F and Wu Q H. Contamination of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in watershed sediments and plants adjacent to e-waste sites. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 379: 120788 (2019)
  • Farzana S, Zhou H C, Cheung S G and Tam N F Y*. Could mangrove plants tolerate and remove BDE-209 in contaminated sediments upon long-term exposure? Journal of Hazardous Materials, 378: 120731 (2019)
  • Pan Y, Chen J, Zhou H C, Cheung S G and Tam N F Y*. Degradation of BDE-47 in mangrove sediments under alternating anaerobic-aerobic conditions. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 378: 120709 (2019)
  • Chalifour A, Chin W Y, Leung P Y, Cheung S G and Tam N F Y*. Effect of light on the transformation of BDE-47 by living and autoclaved cultures of Microcystis flos-aquae and Chlorella vulgaris. Chemosphere, 233: 140-148 (2019)
  • Tai Y, Tam N F Y, Wang R, Yang Y, Lin J. Wang J. Yang Y*, Li L and Sun Y. Iron plaque formation on wetland-plant roots accelerates removal of water-borne antibiotics. Plant and Soil, 433(102): 323-338 (2018)
  • Wang Y F*, Zhou H W, Wang Y, Zhang X L and Tam N F Y. Diversity and dynamics of microbial community structure in different mangrove, marine and freshwater sediments during anaerobic debromination of PBDEs. Frontiers in Microbiology, 9 (article 952): 1-14 (2018)
  • Chen J, Wang C, Pan Y, Farzana S and Tam N F Y*. Biochar accelerates microbial reductive debromination of 2,2',4,4'-tetrabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-47) in anaerobic mangrove sediments. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 341: 177-186 (2018)
  • Pi N, Wu Y, Zhu H W, Wong Y S and Tam N F Y*. The removal of mixed PAHs and PBDEs in wastewater by mangrove plants under different tidal flushing regimes. Environmental Pollution, 231: 104-114 (2017)
  • Dai Y N, Dan A, Yang Y*, Tam N F Y*, Tai Y P and Tang X Y. Factors affecting behavior of phenolic endocrine disruptors, estrone and estradiol, in constructed wetlands for domestic sewage treatment. Environmental Science & Technology, 50: 11844-11852 (2016)
  • Luo L J, Lai X Y, Chen B W, Lin L, Fang L, Tam N F Y and Luan T G*. Chlorophyll catalyse the photo-transformation of carcinogenic benzo[a]pyrene in water. Scientific Reports, 5: 12776, DOI: 10.1038/srep12776 (2015)
  • Deng D and Tam N F Y*. Isolation of microalgae tolerant to polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) from wastewater treatment plants and their removal ability. Bioresource Technology, 177: 289-297 (2015)
  • Luo S S, Chen B W, Lin L, Wang X W, Tam N F Y and Luan T G*. Pyrene degradation accelerated by constructed consortium of bacterium and microalga: Effects of degradation products on the microalgal growth. Environmental Science & Technology, 48(23): 13917-13924 (2014)
  • Zhu H W, Wang Y, Wang X W, Luan T G and Tam N F Y*. Intrinsic debromination potential of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in different sediment slurries. Environmental Science & Technology, 48(9): 4724 – 4731 (2014)

Selected Professional & Community Services

  • Chairman, Management Committee of the Marine Conservation Enhancement Fund (MCEF), Castel Peak Power Company Limited, The Hongkong Electric Company, Limited and the Hong Kong LNG Terminal Limited
  • Member, High Level Steering Committee on Antimicrobial Resistance, Food and Health Bureau, Hong Kong SAR Government
  • Member and Chairman of Research and Testing Committee, Consumer Council, Hong Kong
  • Member, Lantau Development Advisory Committee, Hong Kong SAR Government
  • Member, Management Committee of Marine Ecology Enhancement Fund, Airport Authority of Hong Kong
  • Vice-chairman and Chairman of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Subcommittee, Advisory Council on Environment, Hong Kong SAR Government
  • Specialist, Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications (HKCAAVQ)
  • Council Member, Hon Wah College, Hong Kong
  • Member, College Council, Hong Kong Nang Yan College of Higher Education, Hong Kong
  • Member, Biology Panel, 2020 Research Assessment Exercise (RAE), UGC, Hong Kong

Further Information

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Modified Date: 02 Sep, 2023
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Jonathan Chiu
Marketing Director
3DP Technology Limited

Jonathan handles all external affairs include business development, patents write up and public relations. He is frequently interviewed by media and is considered a pioneer in 3D printing products.

Krutz Cheuk
Biomedical Engineer
Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital

After graduating from OUHK, Krutz obtained an M.Sc. in Engineering Management from CityU. He is now completing his second master degree, M.Sc. in Biomedical Engineering, at CUHK. Krutz has a wide range of working experience. He has been with Siemens, VTech, and PCCW.

Hugo Leung
Software and Hardware Engineer
Innovation Team Company Limited

Hugo Leung Wai-yin, who graduated from his four-year programme in 2015, won the Best Paper Award for his ‘intelligent pill-dispenser’ design at the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineering’s International Conference on Consumer Electronics – China 2015.

The pill-dispenser alerts patients via sound and LED flashes to pre-set dosage and time intervals. Unlike units currently on the market, Hugo’s design connects to any mobile phone globally. In explaining how it works, he said: ‘There are three layers in the portable pillbox. The lowest level is a controller with various devices which can be connected to mobile phones in remote locations. Patients are alerted by a sound alarm and flashes. Should they fail to follow their prescribed regime, data can be sent via SMS to relatives and friends for follow up.’ The pill-dispenser has four medicine slots, plus a back-up with a LED alert, topped by a 500ml water bottle. It took Hugo three months of research and coding to complete his design, but he feels it was worth all his time and effort.

Hugo’s public examination results were disappointing and he was at a loss about his future before enrolling at the OUHK, which he now realizes was a major turning point in his life. He is grateful for the OUHK’s learning environment, its industry links and the positive guidance and encouragement from his teachers. The University is now exploring the commercial potential of his design with a pharmaceutical company. He hopes that this will benefit the elderly and chronically ill, as well as the society at large.

Soon after completing his studies, Hugo joined an automation technology company as an assistant engineer. He is responsible for the design and development of automation devices. The target is to minimize human labor and increase the quality of products. He is developing products which are used in various sections, including healthcare, manufacturing and consumer electronics.

Course Code Title Credits
  COMP S321F Advanced Database and Data Warehousing 5
  COMP S333F Advanced Programming and AI Algorithms 5
  COMP S351F Software Project Management 5
  COMP S362F Concurrent and Network Programming 5
  COMP S363F Distributed Systems and Parallel Computing 5
  COMP S382F Data Mining and Analytics 5
  COMP S390F Creative Programming for Games 5
  COMP S492F Machine Learning 5
  ELEC S305F Computer Networking 5
  ELEC S348F IOT Security 5
  ELEC S371F Digital Forensics 5
  ELEC S431F Blockchain Technologies 5
  ELEC S425F Computer and Network Security 5
 Course CodeTitleCredits
 ELEC S201FBasic Electronics5
 IT S290FHuman Computer Interaction & User Experience Design5
 STAT S251FStatistical Data Analysis5
 Course CodeTitleCredits
 COMPS333FAdvanced Programming and AI Algorithms5
 COMPS362FConcurrent and Network Programming5
 COMPS363FDistributed Systems and Parallel Computing5
 COMPS380FWeb Applications: Design and Development5
 COMPS381FServer-side Technologies and Cloud Computing5
 COMPS382FData Mining and Analytics5
 COMPS390FCreative Programming for Games5
 COMPS413FApplication Design and Development for Mobile Devices5
 COMPS492FMachine Learning5
 ELECS305FComputer Networking5
 ELECS363FAdvanced Computer Design5
 ELECS425FComputer and Network Security5