Celebrating Research Excellence

Computer Science and Engineering PhD Graduate Recognized for Solving Real-World Data Management and Cybersecurity Challenges

Award winner Dr. Ma Pingchuan shared his research journeys – including both challenges and triumphs – with current research postgraduate students at the PhD Research Excellence Award Ceremony on June 2, 2025.
Award winner Dr. Ma Pingchuan shared his research journeys – including both challenges and triumphs – with current research postgraduate students at the PhD Research Excellence Award Ceremony on June 2, 2025. [Download Photo]

Dr. MA Pingchuan, a 2024 PhD graduate from the Department of Computer Science and Engineering (CSE), has been honored as the winner of the School of Engineering (SENG) PhD Research Excellence Award 2024-25 at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST). This award recognizes his exceptional research achievements and contributions to the field during his PhD studies.

Dr. Ma’s work focuses on data management and software engineering, culminating in his thesis “Algorithms, Applications, and Verification of Causal Structure Learning”. His research pushes the boundaries of data science and artificial intelligence, leading to innovative solutions that have been adopted and integrated into major products, including Microsoft Excel, Power BI, and Ant Group’s AntV. This underscores the real-world impact of his research.

During the award ceremony, Dr. Ma reflected on his research journey at HKUST – a path marked by both challenges and triumphs. He openly shared the hurdles he faced, including several rejections of his publications, but emphasized how his PhD advisor’s unwavering support reminded him that setbacks are part of the process. Through perseverance, he eventually saw all his papers accepted at top-tier conferences such as ACM SIGMOD International Conference on Management of Data and International Conferences on Software Engineering / Very Large Data Bases (VLDB), a testament to his resilience.

Throughout his research journey, he has received multiple research-related grants from NVIDIA, OpenAI, the Future of Life Institute, SIGMOD, and has been awarded the Star of Tomorrow recognition from Microsoft Research Asia twice. He has also translated his research into a start-up company focusing on privacy-preserving computation, offering practical and developer-friendly cryptographic solutions.

In his remarks at the ceremony, Dr. Ma once again expressed his gratitude to his PhD advisor for his support, as well as to his research collaborators, group mates, and friends at HKUST, who made the journey memorable. He also acknowledged the diverse opportunities provided by the university, SENG, and his department, which played a pivotal role in his personal and professional growth.

The SENG PhD Research Excellence Award scheme, established in 2011, recognizes exceptional PhD students and recent graduates who have made influential contributions to their fields during their studies at HKUST. Since 2023-24, the award has expanded to honor six individuals annually – including a winner, first runner-up, second runner-up, and three finalists, further broadening the School’s recognition of research excellence. This year, the awarded PhD students have been making impact across diverse fields such as cybersecurity, optoelectronics, data visualization, language modeling, medical imaging, and thermal transport materials.

Behind every outstanding researcher who embodies perseverance and passion, there is often a supportive mentor guiding them along the way. During the ceremony, SENG also expressed its deep gratitude to all award recipients’ PhD advisors. Each advisor received a certificate of appreciation in recognition of their unwavering mentorship and their crucial role in shaping these brilliant students’ academic and research journeys at HKUST.

Recipients of SENG PhD Research Excellence Award 2024-25
  Awardee PhD advisor Department
Winner Dr. MA Pingchuan Prof. WANG Shuai  Computer Science and Engineering
First Runner-Up Dr. LONG Zhenghao Prof. FAN Zhiyong Electronic and Computer Engineering
Second Runner-Up Dr. LI Haotian Prof. QU Huamin Computer Science and Engineering
Finalist Dr. FANG Tianqing Prof. SONG Yangqiu Computer Science and Engineering
Finalist Dr. HE Yingzhu Prof. QU Jianan Electronic and Computer Engineering
Finalist Dr. XU Yixin Prof. ZHOU Yanguang Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Finalists are listed in alphabetical order of last names.
Award
Recognition
Postgraduate
Computer Science and Engineering
Electronic and Computer Engineering
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
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Dr. Ma Pingchuan (center), winner of the HKUST SENG PhD Research Excellence Award 2024-25, was presented the award by Dean of Engineering Prof. Hong K. Lo (right). The award contains a trophy, a certificate and a cash prize of HK$25,000. Dr. Ma’s PhD advisor, Prof. Wang Shuai (left), Associate Professor of Computer Science and Engineering, also received a certificate of appreciation.
Dr. Ma Pingchuan (center), winner of the HKUST SENG PhD Research Excellence Award 2024-25, was presented the award by Dean of Engineering Prof. Hong K. Lo (right). The award contains a trophy, a certificate and a cash prize of HK$25,000. Dr. Ma’s PhD advisor, Prof. Wang Shuai (left), Associate Professor of Computer Science and Engineering, also received a certificate of appreciation.
Dr. Long Zhenghao (2nd left), a 2024 PhD graduate in Electronic and Computer Engineering (ECE), is the First Runner-Up. He received a trophy, a certificate and a cash prize of HK$15,000 from Prof. Albert Chung (2nd right), Associate Dean of Engineering (Research and Graduate Studies) and Chair of the Engineering Research Committee. Dr. Long’s PhD advisor, Prof. Fan Zhiyong (1st left), Chair Professor of ECE, also received a certificate of appreciation. Also pictured was ECE Department Head Prof. Andrew Poon
Dr. Long Zhenghao (2nd left), a 2024 PhD graduate in Electronic and Computer Engineering (ECE), is the First Runner-Up. He received a trophy, a certificate and a cash prize of HK$15,000 from Prof. Albert Chung (2nd right), Associate Dean of Engineering (Research and Graduate Studies) and Chair of the Engineering Research Committee. Dr. Long’s PhD advisor, Prof. Fan Zhiyong (1st left), Chair Professor of ECE, also received a certificate of appreciation. Also pictured was ECE Department Head Prof. Andrew Poon (1st right).
Dr. Li Haotian, a 2024 PhD graduate in Computer Science and Engineering, is the Second Runner-Up. He will be presented with a trophy, a certificate and a cash prize of HK$8,000.
Dr. Li Haotian, a 2024 PhD graduate in Computer Science and Engineering, is the Second Runner-Up. He will be presented with a trophy, a certificate and a cash prize of HK$8,000.
Dr. Li Haotian’s PhD advisor Prof. Qu Huamin (left) received a certificate of appreciation presented by Prof. Albert Chung, Associate Dean of Engineering (Research and Graduate Studies) and Chair of the Engineering Research Committee.
Dr. Li Haotian’s PhD advisor Prof. Qu Huamin (left) received a certificate of appreciation presented by Prof. Albert Chung, Associate Dean of Engineering (Research and Graduate Studies) and Chair of the Engineering Research Committee.
(From left) Finalist Dr. Fang Tianqing, a 2024 PhD graduate from the Department of Computer Science and Engineering (CSE), and his PhD advisor Prof. Song Yangqiu, Associate Professor of CSE, were presented with a certificate by Prof. George Yuan, Associate Dean of Engineering (Strategic Planning and Development).
(From left) Finalist Dr. Fang Tianqing, a 2024 PhD graduate from the Department of Computer Science and Engineering (CSE), and his PhD advisor Prof. Song Yangqiu, Associate Professor of CSE, were presented with a certificate by Prof. George Yuan, Associate Dean of Engineering (Strategic Planning and Development).
Dr. He Yingzhu, a 2024 PhD graduate from the Department of Electronic and Computer Engineering, is named a finalist. She will be awarded a certificate.
Dr. He Yingzhu, a 2024 PhD graduate from the Department of Electronic and Computer Engineering, is named a finalist. She will be awarded a certificate.
Dr. He Yingzhu’s PhD advisor Prof. Qu Jianan (center), Professor of Electronic and Computer Engineering (ECE), received a certificate of appreciation presented by Prof. George Yuan (left), Associate Dean of Engineering (Strategic Planning and Development). Also pictured was ECE Department Head Prof. Andrew Poon (right).
Dr. He Yingzhu’s PhD advisor Prof. Qu Jianan (center), Professor of Electronic and Computer Engineering (ECE), received a certificate of appreciation presented by Prof. George Yuan (left), Associate Dean of Engineering (Strategic Planning and Development). Also pictured was ECE Department Head Prof. Andrew Poon (right).
Finalist Dr. Xu Yixin (second right), a 2024 PhD graduate from the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE), and his PhD advisor Prof. Zhou Yanguang (second left), Assistant Professor of MAE, received a certificate from Prof. George Yuan (first right), Associate Dean of Engineering (Strategic Planning and Development). Also pictured was MAE Acting Department Head Prof. Zhang Fumin (first left).
Finalist Dr. Xu Yixin (second right), a 2024 PhD graduate from the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE), and his PhD advisor Prof. Zhou Yanguang (second left), Assistant Professor of MAE, received a certificate from Prof. George Yuan (first right), Associate Dean of Engineering (Strategic Planning and Development). Also pictured was MAE Acting Department Head Prof. Zhang Fumin (first left).
All the award recipients and their PhD advisors joined the Dean of Engineering Prof. Hong K. Lo (seventh right), Associate Dean of Engineering (Research and Graduate Studies) and Chair of the Engineering Research Committee Prof. Albert Chung (fourth right), Associate Dean of Engineering (Strategic Planning and Development) Prof. George Yuan (sixth left), and ECE Department Head Prof. Andrew Poon (first left) for a group photo.
All the award recipients and their PhD advisors joined the Dean of Engineering Prof. Hong K. Lo (seventh right), Associate Dean of Engineering (Research and Graduate Studies) and Chair of the Engineering Research Committee Prof. Albert Chung (fourth right), Associate Dean of Engineering (Strategic Planning and Development) Prof. George Yuan (sixth left), and ECE Department Head Prof. Andrew Poon (first left) for a group photo.
Award
Recognition
Postgraduate
Computer Science and Engineering
Electronic and Computer Engineering
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
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