Cancer Biology and Anti-cancer Drug Development Lab
Research Field
I am Prof. Chun Hei Antonio Cheung, a cancer pharmacologist and educator dedicated to transforming how we treat drug-resistant malignancies. As a Professor at National Cheng Kung University (Taiwan) and a Fellow of both the Royal Society of Biology (UK) and the Institute of Biomedical Science (UK), my career sits at the intersection of molecular oncology and advanced drug delivery.
Beyond my research, I have a deep passion for internationalization in higher education, having served as an ambassador for European cancer research communities and recently as a Visiting Professor at the University of Miyazaki. I believe that a great scientist isn't just defined by publications, but by their ability to mentor, break conventional boundaries, and contribute meaningfully to society. Let's connect to discuss academic collaborations, global student exchange, or breakthroughs in oncology.
"You will become a scientist who makes great contributions to mankind and society!" This is a phrase you will often hear in our lab, and it serves as my daily encouragement and the ultimate vision for every student.
In our lab, every member pursues a unique research topic aligned with their personal passions. Beyond the bench, we offer multiculture working environment to broaden your global horizons. We also highly value a supportive environment; through regular outdoor activities, we build strong team cohesion and maintain an open, approachable relationship between students and I.
We are dedicated to cutting-edge biomedical research, focusing on three main pillars:
- Overcoming Cancer Resistance: Exploring the molecular mechanisms behind hormone therapy resistance in estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer to discover new therapeutics.
- Cellular Mechanics: Investigating the molecular regulations of autophagy and DNA repair in cancer cells.
- Advanced Therapeutics: Developing novel survivin-targeting nanodrugs and immunomodulators for cancer treatment.
2026 - Elected Fellow (FIBMS)
Institute of Biomedical Science, United Kingdom (U.K)
2025 - Excellent Mentor Award (醫學院「輔導優良」導師獎)
College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University (NCKU)
2024 - Distinguished and Outstanding Teaching Award (Awarded five times)
Distinguished Teaching (EMI) Award (2024 & 2022); Outstanding Teaching Award (2019 & 2014 ); Distinguished Teaching Award (2016), NCKU
2023 - Elected Fellow (FRSB)
The Royal Society of Biology, United Kingdom (U.K)
2023 - Professor Chen-Yuan Lee Memorial Outstanding Research Award (李鎮源教授傑出研究獎)
The Pharmacological Society in Taiwan (台灣藥理學會)
2023 - Excellent Research Paper Award (Awarded thrice)
Cheng-Hsing Medical and Educational Foundation (成杏醫學文教基金會) (2023, 2021 & 2016)
2021 - Ta-You Wu Memorial Award (Distinguished Young Scientist) (國科會吳大猷先生紀念獎)
National Science and Technology Research Council (NSTC, 國家科學及技術委員會), Taiwan
2020 - Excellent Mentor Award (醫學系「輔導優良」導師獎)
School of Medicine, NCKU
2017 - Network Award (Distinguished Young Biochemist and Molecular Biologist)
Korean Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (KSBMB, 韓國生物化學及分子生物學學會 )
2017 - Innovative Teaching Award (Awarded four times)
2nd Place Award & Merit Award (2017); Merit Award (2015); 1st Place Award (2014)
College of Medicine, NCKU
2013 - Career Development Grant (CDG) Awardee (研究發展獎助計畫)
National Health Research Institutes (NHRI, 國家衛生研究院 ), Taiwan
2006 - Travel Grant Awardee
The Maurice and Phyllis Paykel Trust, New Zealand
2002 - International Doctoral Scholarship
The University of Auckland, New Zealand
2002-2007 Ph.D. (Molecular Medicine) (International Doctoral Scholar)
Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, New Zealand
1998-2001 B.Tech(Hons) (Biomedical Science) (1st Class Honours)
Interfaculty Program, The University of Auckland, New Zealand