The Chinese University of Hong Kong & Prince of Wales Hospital

Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
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Prof. Wang Yao

Prof. Wang Yao Research Assistant Professor
(852) 3505 1289 yaowang1@cuhk.edu.hk

Biography

Dr. Wang has received interdisciplinary training in biomedical science and clinical translational medicine, with a strong foundation in metabolism, molecular mechanisms, and cohort-based investigation. His research integrates clinical resources, molecular profiling, and data-driven analytics to advance precision approaches in women’s and maternal health.

Education

BSc (SYSU); PhD (HKU)

Research Interest(s)

1) Multi-omics biomarker discovery

Applying multi-omics approaches across diverse biospecimens (e.g., blood and menstrual blood)—including proteomics, metabolomics, lipidomics, and integrative data analytics—to identify and validate clinically actionable biomarkers for women’s reproductive and pregnancy-related disorders.

2) Microbiome science

Investigating microbiome–host interactions relevant to metabolic and reproductive health and pregnancy outcomes, with translational emphasis on microbiome-targeted strategies, including probiotic interventions, to support scalable prevention and adjunctive therapeutic options.

3) Wearable and digital medicine

Developing wearable-enabled digital health approaches (e.g., wearable rings) for monitoring and intervention in women’s reproductive health. Integrating longitudinal sensor-derived signals for menstrual cycle phenotyping, fertility window assessment, and personalised reproductive health management; advancing transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) as a non-invasive, device-based strategy for symptom modulation and pain relief in women’s health conditions.

Specialisations

  • Translational metabolism and women’s health
  • Multi-omics biomarker discovery
  • Microbiome science and probiotic interventions
  • Wearable/digital health

Awards and Honours

  1. Reception for 2024 I&T Awards 2024年創新科技獎項嘉許禮, Hong Kong Innovation and Technology Commission, 06/2024
  2. Golden Medal of 49th International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva (IEIG), “Blood levels of sPD-L1 as a novel biomarker for miscarriage” 04/2024
  1. Faculty Outstanding Research Output Award, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, 02/2024
  2. Young Investigator Award - 17th International Symposium on Healthy Aging, Research Centre of Heart, Brain Hormone & Healthy Aging, 09/2023
  3. Young Investigator Award - 25th Diabetes and Cardiovascular Risk Factors East Meets West Symposium, Hong Kong Institute of Diabetes and Obesity, 09/2023
  4. Young Investigator Award - 24th Diabetes and Cardiovascular Risk Factors East Meets West Symposium, Hong Kong Institute of Diabetes and Obesity, 10/2022
  5. Young Investigator Award - 15th International Symposium on Healthy Aging, 09/2021
  6. Best of Cell Metabolism 2020 Publication Award, 2021

Others

As Principal Investigator (PI), Dr. Wang has secured major competitive research funding, including HMRF (4 awards), the HMRF–Research Fellowship Scheme (1 award), NSFC (1 award), and the RGC Hong Kong–Germany Joint Research Scheme (1 award), with total PI-led funding exceeding HKD 6 million.

Patent

Methods for diagnosing and predicting miscarriage in humans by quantifying serum levels of soluble programmed cell death ligand-1, US patents Serial No. 63/518.903.2023

Researcher ID

1
Placental immunodynamics regulated by leukocytes and trophoblasts: from pregnancy to onco-fetal immunity Wang Y*, Zheng R, Chung JPW, Wang CC Journal of Reproductive Immunology, 2026 Jun;175:104893
2
Serum sPD-L1 Levels in Early Pregnancy Predict Fetal Growth Restriction and Its Subtypes: A Prospective Nested Case–Control Study Wang Y, Shi Y, Zheng R, Bai X, Leung MBW, Lam LK, Wang CC, Leung TY International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2026 Jun;27(11):5037
3
Correction to: Pharmacogenomics and Pharmacokinetics of Aspirin in Preeclampsia Prevention Tlaye KG, Woldeamanuel GG, Wong KCY, Chen L, Zheng R, So PK, Wang X, Nguyen-Hoang L, Zhong M, So HC, Leung BW, Huang Y, Wang Y, Poon LC, Wang CC Circulation Research, 2026 May;138(11):e000755
4
Blood-based biomarker discovery for early pregnancy loss using integrative multi-omics strategies Shi Y, Yang Y, Guo X, Shi S, Li Q, Wang CC, Poon CYL, Chung PW, Xia J, Wang Y, Lai X, Ni Y, Chen X, Wang Y* eBioMedicine, 2026 Apr;127:106253
5
The diagnostic accuracy of wearable digital technology in detecting fertility window and menstrual cycles: a systematic review and Bayesian network meta-analysis Shi Y, Wang CC, Yang Y, Li Q, Chung PWJ, Wang Y* npj Digital Medicine, 2026 Jan;9(1):139
6
Evaluating the performance of maternal risk factors in predicting gestational diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis Ayele AD, Azeze GG, Alemu BK, Wang Y, Wang CC* 23 Dec 2025, (E-pub ahead of print) In: BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine
7
Maternal probiotics intake during pregnancy and exclusive colostrum breastfeeding are associated with a reduced risk of neonatal jaundice Alemu BK, Wang CC, Poon LC, Wang Y* BMC Med, 2025 Dec 8;24(1):25
8
Gut microbiome-adipose crosstalk modulates soluble IL-6 receptor influencing exercise responsiveness in glycemic control and insulin sensitivity Wang Y, Wu J, Yao J, Chen J, Cheng KKY, Ho MYM, Lee, CH, Lam KSL, Tse MA, Panagiotou G, Xu A Cell Metabolism, Dec 2025;37(12):2323-2341e6
9
Expert consensus statement for basic research of animal exercise intervention studies in chronic disease prevention and treatment: A joint position paper of the Exercise Science branch of the Biophysical Society of China and the Metabolism and Genetics branch of the Genetics Society of China Bei Y, Zhong D, Lu J, Qiu Y, Bowen TS, Chen N, Dun Y, Gao F, Huang Y, Li G, Li J, Li J, Liu F, Liu W, Ma X, Rosenzweig A, Spanos M, Tian Z, Yin P, Wang R, Wang Y, Xu D, Xu L, Zhang L, Zhang J, Zhang X, Zhou Q, Qiao Y, Xu M, Xiao J Affiliations Expand 21 Nov 2025, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Journal of Sport and Health Science p 101103
10
Pharmacogenomics and pharmacokinetics of aspirin in preeclampsia prevention Tlaye KG, Woldeamanuel GG, Wong KCY, Chen L, Zheng R, So PK, Wang X, Nguyen-Hoang L, Zhong M, So HC, Leung BW, Huang Y, Wang Y, Poon LC, Wang CC Circulation Research, 2025 Jun;137(1):69-82
11
Platelets in preeclampsia: an observational study of indices associated with aspirin nonresponsiveness, activation and transcriptional landscape Woldeamanuel GG, Tlaye KG, Wang X, Nguyen HL, Zhou Q, Wang Y, Leung BW, Wang Y, Poon CYL, Wang CC BMC, 2025 Jun;23(1):346
12
Effect of preconception antibiotics exposure on female reproductive health and pregnancy outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis Alemu BK, Wang CC, Li L, Zhu Z, Li Q, Wang Y eClinicalMedicine 2024 Dec:78; 102935
13
Exercise-changed gut mycobiome as a potential contributor to metabolic benefits in diabetes prevention: an integrative multi-omics study Wang Y, Chen J, Ni Y, Liu Y, Gao X, Tse MA, Panagiotou G, Xu A Gut Microbes. 2024 Jan-Dec;16(1):2416928
14
Melatonin Inhibits Endometriosis Growth via Specific Binding and Inhibition of EGFR Phosphorylation Li YR, Hung SW, Zheng X, Ding Y, Zhang T, Tan Z, Zhang R, Lin YZ, Song Y, Wang Y, Wang CC J Pineal Res. 2024 Nov;76(8):e70022
15
Breast milk application as a natural method for umbilical cord care: A community-label three-arm pilot clinical trial Alemu BK, Wondimagegn LY , Bazezew Y, Liyeh TM, Muluneh AA , Mihretie GN, Sema A , Endalifer ML , Azeze GG , Woldeamanuel GG , Tlaye KG , Lee WF , Wang Y , Wang CC Maternal-Fetal Medicine 2024 Oct; 6(4):203-210
16
Microbiota-targeted interventions and clinical implications for maternal-offspring health: An umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials Alemu BK, Wu L, Azeze GG, Lau SL, Wang Y, Wang CC J Glob Health. 2024 Sep 13:14:04177
17
Preventive effect of prenatal maternal oral probiotic supplementation on neonatal jaundice (POPS Study): A protocol for the randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial Alemu BK, Lee MY, Leung MBW, Lee WF, Wang Y, Wang CC, Lau SL BMJ Open. 2024 Jun 8;14(6):e083641
18
Distinct molecular targets of ProEGCG from EGCG and superior inhibition of angiogenesis signaling pathways for treatment of endometriosis Hung SW, Gaetani M, Li Y, Tan Z, Zheng X, Zhang R, Ding Y, Man GCW, Zhang T, Song Y, Wang Y, Chung JPW, Chan TH, Zubarev RA, Wang CC Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2024 Jan;14(1):100-114
19
Decreased serum soluble programmed cell death ligand-1 level as a potential biomarker for missed miscarriage Li Q, Chen C, Wu J, Poon LC, Wang CC, Li TC, Zhang T, Guo X, Song L, Wang X, Zhang Q, Ye Z, Yang Y, Lu J, Yao J, Ye D, Wang Y Hum Reprod. 2023 Nov 2;38(11):2128-2136  
20
Effects of maternal probiotic supplementation on breast milk microbiome and infant gut microbiome and health: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials Alemu BK, Azeze GG, Wu L, Lau SL, Wang CC, Wang Y Am J Obstet Gynecol MFM. 2023 Sep 1;5(11):101148
21
Pathophysiological insight into fatty acid-binding protein-4: multifaced roles in reproduction, pregnancy, and offspring health Shi Y, Wang CC, Wu L, Zhang Y, Xu A, Wang Y Int J Mol Sci. 2023 Aug 10;24(16):12655
22
The FGF21- Sirtuin 3 axis confers the protective effects of exercise against diabetic cardiomyopathy by governing mitochondrial integrity, L. Jin, L. Geng, L. Ying, L. Shu, K. Ye, R. Yang, Y. Liu, Y. Wang, Y. Cai, X. Jiang, Q. Wang, X. Yan. B. Liao, J. Liu, F. Duan, G. Sweeney, C. Woo, Y. Wang, Z. Xia, Q. Lian, A. Xu. Circulation. (2022) :101161CIRCULATIONAHA122059631. (IF=39.9; Q1, 1/336, Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine)
23
The human gut mycobiome and its potential as a regulator of the host's metabolic health. J. Chen, Y. Wang, A. Xu, G. Panagiotou. Vol. VI, Human and Animal Relationships, The Mycota series, Springer Nature publishing (Book chapter); Co-First author
24
A comprehensive evaluation of progestin-primed ovarian stimulation protocol in patients with or without PCOS undergoing in vitro fertilization Zhu J, Zhang J, Yang J, Li D, Wang C, Elizur SE, Zhao K, Kuang Y, Wang Y Reprod Biol. 2021 Aug 17;21(4):100540
25
Circulating fibroblast growth factor 21 as a potential biomarker for missed abortion in humans. Y. Yang*, J. Wu*, X. Wang*, J. Yao, K. S. Lao, Y. Qiao, Y. Xu, Y. Hu, Y. Feng, Y. Cui, S. Shi, J. Zhang, M. Liang, Y. Pan, K. Xie, K. Yan, Q Li#, D. Ye#, Y. Wang#. Fertility & Sterility. 116.4 (2021): 1040-1049, Corresponding author (IF=7.5; Q1, 3/63, Reproductive Medicine)
26
The relationship between serum hormone profiles and missed abortion in humans. Y Yang*, J. Wu*, X. Wang*, J. Yao, K. S. Lao, Y. Xu, Y. Hu, Y. Pan, Y. Feng, S. Shi, J. Zhang, Y. Qiao, Q. Li#, D. Ye#, Y. Wang#. Human Reproduction. Vol. 36, (2021) pp. 313-313; Corresponding author (IF=6.9; Q1, 2/63, Reproductive Medicine)
27
FGF21 mediates the anti-depressant effects of exercise by coordinating the crosstalk between central and peripheral organs. Y. Liu, S. Y. Yau, Q. Liang, Y. Wang, A. Xu, Human Behaviour and Brain. (2020) 1(1), 8-15 doi:10.37716/HBAB.2020010102.
28
Gut microbiome fermentation determines the therapeutic efficacy of exercise for diabetes prevention. Y. Liu*, Y. Wang*, Y. Ni*, C. K.Y Chong, K. S.L. Lam, Y. Wang, Z. Xia, D. Ye, J. Guo, M. A. Tse#, G. Panagiotou#, A. Xu#. Cell Metabolism. (2020) 31, 1-15. Co-First author (IF=31.4; Q1, 6/376, Molecular biology)
29
Gut microbiota-associated activation of TLR5 induces apolipoprotein A1 2 production in the liver J. H.C. Yiu, K-S Chan, J. Cheung, J. Li, Y. Liu, Y. Wang, W. W.L. Fung, J. Cai, S. W.M. Cheung, B. Dorweiler, E. Y.F. Wan, P. Tso, A. Xu, C. W. Woo, Circulation Research. 127.10 (2020): 1236-1252, (IF=23.2; Q1, 2/322, Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine)