Biography
Professor Angus Yu possesses a diverse academic background that encompasses several disciplines. Graduated with a Bachelor degree in Chemical and Bio-product Engineering from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, his science career began at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, leading to the receipt of a degree of Master of Philosophy specializing in muscle physiology. He was also awarded a Master of Science degree in Genomics and Bioinformatics by the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Following the training at the School of Public Health at The University of Hong Kong, he received his Ph.D. title. In concordant with his education, his research outputs span a spectrum of disciplines, including molecular biology, metabolic health, sleep, and brain health.
Research Interests
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Effects of different exercise modalities on mental health, cognitive health and metabolic health, with an emphasis on mind-body exercise and conventional exercise.
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Delineation of the mechanisms of physical activity and sedentary behaviour in health
Selected Publications (*denotes the corresponding author, #indicates the equal contribution to the work and shared the first authorship)
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Yu AP, Chin EC, Yu DJ, Fong DY, Cheng CP, Hu X, Wei GX, Siu PM*. Tai Chi versus conventional exercise for improving cognitive function in older adults: a pilot randomized controlled trial. Sci Rep. 2022;12(1):8868. doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-12526-5
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Siu PM#*, Yu AP#, Chin EC, Yu DS, Hui SS, Woo J, Fong DY, Wei GX, Irwin MR. Effects of Tai Chi or Conventional Exercise on Central Obesity in Middle-Aged and Older Adults : A Three-Group Randomized Controlled Trial. Ann Intern Med. 2021;174(8):1050-7. doi: 10.7326/m20-7014
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Siu PM#*, Yu AP#, Tam BT, Chin EC, Yu DS, Chung KF, Hui SS, Woo J, Fong DY, Lee PH, Wei GX, Irwin MR. Effects of Tai Chi or Exercise on Sleep in Older Adults With Insomnia: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Netw Open. 2021;4(2):e2037199. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.37199
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Yu AP, Ugwu FN, Tam BT, Lee PH, Ma V, Pang S, Chow AS, Cheng KK, Lai CW, Wong CS, Siu PM*. Obestatin and growth hormone reveal the interaction of central obesity and other cardiometabolic risk factors of metabolic syndrome. Sci Rep. 2020;10(1):5495. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-62271-w
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Yu AP, Ugwu FN, Tam BT, Lee PH, Lai CW, Wong CSC, Lam WW, Sheridan S, Siu PM*. One Year of Yoga Training Alters Ghrelin Axis in Centrally Obese Adults With Metabolic Syndrome. Front Physiol. 2018;9:1321. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2018.01321
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Yu AP, Ugwu FN, Tam BT, Lee PH, Lai CW, Wong CSC, Siu PM*. Ghrelin Axis Reveals the Interacting Influence of Central Obesity and Hypertension. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2018;9:534. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2018.00534
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Yu AP#, Tam BT#, Lai CW, Yu DS, Woo J, Chung KF, Hui SS, Liu JY, Wei GX, Siu PM*. Revealing the Neural Mechanisms Underlying the Beneficial Effects of Tai Chi: A Neuroimaging Perspective. Am J Chin Med. 2018;46(2):231-59. doi: 10.1142/s0192415x18500131
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Tam BT#, Yu AP#, Tam EW, Monks DA, Wang XP, Pei XM, Koh SP, Sin TK, Law HKW, Ugwu FN, Supriya R, Yung BY, Yip SP, Wong SC, Chan LW, Lai CW, Ouyang P, Siu PM*. Ablation of Bax and Bak protects skeletal muscle against pressure-induced injury. Sci Rep. 2018;8(1):3689. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-21853-5
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Yu AP, Pei XM, Sin TK, Yip SP, Yung BY, Chan LW, Wong CS, Siu PM*. [D-Lys3]-GHRP-6 exhibits pro-autophagic effects on skeletal muscle. Mol Cell Endocrinol. 2015;401:155-64. doi: 10.1016/j.mce.2014.09.031
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Yu AP, Pei XM, Sin TK, Yip SP, Yung BY, Chan LW, Wong CS, Siu PM*. Acylated and unacylated ghrelin inhibit doxorubicin-induced apoptosis in skeletal muscle. Acta Physiol (Oxf). 2014;211(1):201-13. doi: 10.1111/apha.12263
Courses Taught
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Assessments
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Statistical analysis
Selected Honours and Awards
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The Top 50 High Impact Research of Traditional Medicine, Journal of Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine with the support of the China Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2023
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Faculty Outstanding Research Output Award, HKU, 2022
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Finalist – Acta Physiologica Award, Scandinavian Physiological Society, 2018
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Best Oral Presentation Award, The 4th Student Conference in Sports Sciences, Medicine and Rehabilitation 2013, Hong Kong Association of Sport Medicine and Sport Science, 2013
Selected Professional Services
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Research & Publication Committee, Physical Fitness Association of Hong Kong, China
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Advisor of Mental Health@School service by St. James Settlement Wellness Pro
