About
IDDF

In the past decade, both the number of researchers and the standard of healthcare were rapidly rising in Asia Pacific. These factors led to a soaring interest and demand for high-quality healthcare and biomedical research. As such, we decided to organize the IDDF to give emerging investigators professional development opportunities overseas.

As a platform for learning and networking, the IDDF attracts attendance from gastroenterologists, hepatologists, endoscopists and related professionals. Whether you are a healthcare professional or an investigator, the IDDF gives you an unparalleled opportunity to discuss ideas, showcase research findings, get the latest professional knowledge and trends, and expand your professional network. The IDDF is truly connecting you to the very best of GI.


A Short History

The story of the IDDF began in 2011 when Professor Francis K. L. Chan became the first chairperson of the IDDF. During his tenure (2011-2013), the first Joseph Sung Lecture and the first Tzu-leung Ho Lecture were given, and the Young Investigator Award was also inaugurated at this time. In addition, the IDDF started offering travel grants to applicants with the best abstract submissions. Since 2013, IDDF has offered over 900 travel grants.

Professor Justin C. Y. Wu took over the reins as chairperson of the IDDF in 2014. Under his stewardship, the IDDF partnered with the Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology for the first time, and in 2017, the IDDF was held in conjunction with the Asian Pacific Digestive Week (APDW).

Professor Siew C. Ng became the third chairperson in 2018, overseeing the forum’s first partnerships with leading international journals Gut and the Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology (JGH).

In 2020, Professor Joseph J. Y. Sung, the founding and current director of the IDD, succeeded Professor Ng and became the fourth chairperson.

Since 2021, Professor Jun Yu, the current Director of the IDD and Professor Vincent W.S. Wong have become the fifth co-chairpersons and continue the excellent tradition of bringing the latest developments in clinical and basic science in gastroenterology, hepatology and endoscopy to the IDDF participants.

The
Organizer

INSTITUTE OF DIGESTIVE DISEASE
The IDDF is organized by the Institute of Digestive Disease (IDD) at The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK). The founder of the IDD, Professor Joseph Sung, who is also the former president and vice-chancellor of CUHK, assembled a multidisciplinary team to bring together the best patient care, research and education in gastroenterological disorders. Physicians, surgeons, molecular biologists, pharmacologists, pathologists, microbiologists, psychiatrists, public health specialists and radiologists collaborate closely. They have contributed to major breakthroughs, such as endoscopic therapies, minimally invasive surgery, research on molecular diagnostic tools for cancer and novel treatments for acid-peptic disease, to name but a few.

The spirit of collaboration fosters IDD’s development into a giant institute comprises a PRC government approved State Key Laboratory, a Hepatitis B Research Centre, an IBD and FMT Research Unit, a Centre for Digestive Health, an Endoscopy Training and Education Unit and an Endoscopy Centre named as a world-class selective Centre of Excellence.

ORGANIZING
COMMITTEE

With an equal strength to the organizer, the IDDF Organizing Committee is represented by distinguished gastroenterologists, hepatologists, surgeons and basic scientists. They consistently dedicate their expertise to shaping the most provocative scientific programme of the highest quality for the IDDF.

Co-Chairman
Vincent W. S. WONG
Division Head (Gastroenterology and Hepatology) Department of Medicine & Therapeutics, CUHK
Jun YU
IDD Director
CUHK
Members
Francis K. L. CHAN
Professor
Department of Medicine & Therapeutics, CUHK
Henry L. Y. CHAN
Deputy Chief Hospital Manager
Union Hospital, Hong Kong
Philip W. Y. CHIU
Dean of Faculty of Medicine
CUHK
Louis H. S. LAU
Assistant Professor (Clinical)
Department of Medicine & Therapeutics, CUHK
Joyce MAK
Honorary Clinical Assistant Professor
Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, CUHK
Siew C. NG
Associate Director
Centre for Gut Microbiota Research, CUHK
Joseph J. Y. SUNG
Dean of the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine and Vice President
National Technological University, Singapore
Raymond S. Y. TANG
Director of S.H. Ho Centre for Digestive Health
Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine & Therapeutics, CUHK
Anthony Y.B. TEOH
Deputy Director of Endoscopy, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong
Associate Professor, Department of Surgery, CUHK
Dennis C. C. WONG
Assistant Professor,
State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, CUHK
Grace L. H. WONG
Professor
Department of Medicine & Therapeutics, CUHK
Sunny H. WONG
Associate Professor
Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
Jennifer ZHANG
Research Assistant Professor
State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, CUHK

PROJECT
TEAM

Behind the scene is the energetic Project Team dedicated to the planning, management, promotion and execution of the IDDF. This dynamic group of young, enthusiastic and creative individuals spare no effort and consider no detail too small in ensuring every aspect of the IDDF to be a pleasant experience for you.

Meet the Team
Cynthia Tai
Administration and Communications Manager

ctai@cuhk.edu.hk
Michelle Wong
Project Coordinator

twingwong@cuhk.edu.hk