Prof. Cai Zongwei Received a major award from National Science Foundation of China

Prof Cai Zongwei, an associate professor of chemistry at Hong Kong Baptist University , has won a Distinguished Young Scholar Award in 2004 to research methods of analysing new-type dioxins in the environment. He was the only chemist among nine recipients of the National Science Foundation of China (NSFC) 2003 Research Fund award for Chinese young scholars overseas, including Hong Kong and Macau . The NSFC fund was established to help speed up the growth of young scientific talent and prominent academic pacemakers in the forefront of world science and technology.

Prof Cai's project is the first in the area of Environmental Analytical Chemistry to receive funding from the scheme. Entitled “Trace Analysis of Environmental Endocrine Disruptors and New Dioxins-like Compounds in Beijing and Hong Kong ”, the research project aims to develop and validate methods for analysing new-type dioxins and dioxin-like compounds such as brominated dioxins and brominated diphenylethers by using highly sensitive isotope dilution mass spectrometry; and to study the enviromental fate, risk and transporation of the pollutants.

Prof Cai said research on the possible formation of new-type dioxin compounds and their toxicity is urgent. For example, he said the intensive use of chlorine and chlorinated disinfectants to help prevent the spread of SARS and other infectious diseases may potentially cause new dioxin contamination in the environment and damage to the eco-environmental system. He added: “Recognition highlights the continuous encouragement and fervent support from senior management, the Faculty of Science and Department of Chemistry to research development in HKBU.”

Prof Cai currently serves as Director of the Dioxin Analysis Laboratory and Associate Director of the Joint Institute of Environmental Sciences, a joint venture between HKBU and the Research Centre for Eco-Environmental Sciences at the Chinese Academy of Sciences.