• Intracranial atherosclerotic disease: pathogenesis, stroke mechanism, imaging features and outcome
• Revascularization therapies for cerebral ischemia: angioplasty/stenting for atherosclerotic cranio-cervical stenosis, radiation-induced vasculopathy, acute intravenous thrombolysis and endovascular thrombectomy
• Ischemic stroke complications, outcome and anticoagulation treatment
• Brain health, cerebrovascular disease and cognitive profile in a population-based cohort under CUHK Brain Health Centre

Thomas Leung’s research focuses on intracranial atherosclerosis, stroke imaging, treatment, and clinical outcomes. His team seeks to elucidate the pathogenesis and underlying mechanisms of intracranial atherosclerotic disease, with emphasis on imaging, progression, and revascularization strategies for cerebral ischemia, aiming to advance preventive and therapeutic interventions for improved stroke care and brain health in ageing populations.

Thomas Leung focused on intracranial atherosclerosis, stroke imaging, treatment, and outcome. He has published as the first or corresponding author in high-impact journals including The New England Journal of Medicine, Science Advances, Radiology, JAMA Neurology, Annals of Neurology, Neurology, Stroke, and JAMA Network Open. He is currently an assistant editor for Stroke (official journal of American Heart Association), an associate editor for International Journal of Stroke (official journal of World Stroke Organization), and has been a reviewer for journals including The Lancet, Annals of Neurology, The Lancet Regional Health, Neurology, Stroke, JNNP, Hypertension, British Medical Journal, American Journal of Neuroradiology, European Stroke Journal, European Journal of Neurology, and International Journal of Stroke. Thomas obtained 8 competitive grants as principal investigator, 3 as co-principal investigator, and another 24 GRF/HMRF grants as co-investigator. Internationally, he was an expert witness for the Food and Drug Administration, the United States, and lectured in annual conferences of World Federation of Neurology, World Stroke Organization, American Stroke Association, European Stroke Organization, World Economic Forum, and the Ministry of Health, China. Over the years, he has solicited private donations over HK$51.7 million for The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), facilitating the establishment of Kwok Tak Seng Center for Stroke Research and Intervention, CUHK Biobank and Bioresource for Cerebrovascular Diseases, and the SHKP Kwok Brain Health Research Centre. Thomas is currently the Director of all three facilities.

Thomas aims to translate science into clinical service. He is the first interventional neurologist in Hong Kong, and a neuro-sonologist certified by the American Society of Neuroimaging. He served as co-chair of the Global Executive Committee of MT 2020, a global initiative of the Society of Vascular and Interventional Neurology (SVIN) based in the US for improving access to thrombectomy for acute stroke. He is also the national coordinator for Safe Implementation of Treatment in Stroke (SITS). Countrywide, Thomas is a council member in the National Endovascular Treatment for Stroke Committee, and Stroke Prevention and Risk Factor Control Committee, China. Locally, he is the Chairman of the Central Committee on Stroke Services in Hospital Authority, overseeing the stroke service provision in Hong Kong. As the director of stroke service in the Prince of Wales Hospital, Thomas performed the first intracranial self-expandable stenting in Asia, pioneered drug-eluting stents in cervical steno-occlusions and was the first in the region to apply retrievable stents and suction device in emergency thrombectomy for stroke. He is a trainer for clinical neurology and neuro-intervention.

Thomas currently is the Assistant Dean (Postgraduate Education) for the Faculty of Medicine, CUHK. He has been consistently above 80% centile in the teaching evaluation score since 2012. He was the recipient of ‘The Teacher of The Year Award’ in 2019 by the Faculty of Medicine, CUHK. He supervised 13 Ph.D. students, 2 MPhil students, 3 research assistant professors, and 1 clinical assistant professor. He was the course director for Master of Science in Stroke and Clinical Neurosciences, CUHK, and the western medicine program, the School of Chinese Medicine.

Thomas is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians (FRCP (Lond) and FRCP (Edin)), American Heart association (FAHA), European Stroke Organization (FESO) and European Academy of Neurology (FEAN). He received an endowed professorship as Lee Quo Wei Associate Professor of Neurology in 2013; the orator for Professor G. Arjundas Oration, Madras Institute of Neurology, Madras Medical College, India in 2008; the Second Prize in Medical Technology by the Chinese Medical Association in 2011 for ‘Angioplasty and stenting for intracranial stenosis in Chinese’; the prestigious First Class Award of the 2011 Higher Education Outstanding Scientific Research Output Award (Science and Technology) by the Ministry of Health, China, for ‘Intracranial Large Artery Atherosclerotic Stroke: Epidemiology, Diagnosis, Pathogenesis, Imaging and Treatment’; the HIMSS-Elsevier Digital Health Award 2013 (Asia-Pacific Region) for his pioneering work in telemedicine; and the Second Prize in the State of Scientific and Technological Progress Award, China in 2014 for ‘Strategies in cerebral revascularization’. As the stroke team leader in the Prince of Wales Hospital, Thomas and his team was the winner of the ‘Outstanding Team Award 2019’ selected by the Hospital Authority among all public hospital services in Hong Kong.

1. 慶祝中華人民共和國成立70週年紀念章 (Commemorative medal in commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China), State Council of the People’s Republic of China (2019)
2. The Outstanding Team Award (PWH-CUHK Stroke Team), Hospital Authority (2019)
3. ‘Teacher of the Year’ Award, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (2019)
4. The Outstanding Team Award (PWH-CUHK Stroke Team), New Territories East Cluster, Hospital Authority (2018)
5. 國家科學技術進步獎二等獎 「腦梗死血管學特徵譜的新發現與血運重建治療的新策略」(2nd Prize, the State Scientific and Technological Progress Award (SSTPA), China ‘Strategy of Cerebral Revascularization’), People’s Republic of China (2014)
6. HIMSS-Elsevier Digital Healthcare Award (Asia-pacific Region) ‘Telestroke with Security-Enhanced Mobile Imaging Distribution System (SEMIDS)’, HIMSS-Elsevier Digital Healthcare Award (2013)
7. 中華醫學科技獎二等獎「國人顱內動脈狹窄現狀與支架成形術的關鍵技術和臨床應用」(2nd Prize, Medical Technology Award, The Chinese Medical Association, China ‘Clinical Application of Angioplasty and Stenting in Intracranial Atherosclerotic Disease’), The Chinese Medical Association (2011)
8. 國家教育部2011年度高等學校科學研究優秀成果獎(科學技術): 自然科學獎一等獎 – 「顱內大動脈病變腦卒中的流行病學、診斷、發病機制、影像學和治療」(First Class Award of the 2011 Higher Education Outstanding Scientific Research Output Award (Science and Technology) in the Category of Natural Sciences – “Intracranial Large Artery Atherosclerotic Stroke: Epidemiology, Diagnosis, Pathogenesis, Imaging and Treatment”, Ministry of Education, China), Ministry of Education, People’s Republic of China (2011)
9. Distinguished Research Paper Award for Young Investigators, Hong Kong College of Physicians (2011)
10. Young Investigator Award, S.H. Ho Cardiovascular and Stroke Centre, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (2011)

1. Leung TW. Thrombolysis before thrombectomy in stroke – A bridge not fallen. New England Journal of Medicine. 2025;393(2):189-191. doi:10.1056/nejme2506729. (Editorial)
2. Ip BY, Ma SH, Lui WT, Pan S, Ip VHL, Au L, Chan A, Chan C, Choi J, Ko H, Kwok A, Chan HHW, Fan F, Ma K, Lau A, Lam B, Abrigo J, Cheung T, Wong JKT, Hung T, Leng X, Soo Y, Fong WC, Tsoi TH, Ng PW, Li SH, Ma N, Miao Z, Mok VCT, Wong L, Leung TW, Yu SCH. Stent-assisted angioplasty in symptomatic intracranial stenosis without adjacent branch atheromatous disease: A randomized trial with patients selected by using three-dimensional rotational angiography. Radiology. 2025;316(1). doi:10.1148/radiol.243860.
3. Zhang M, Yang L, Yang H, Su L, Xue J, Wang Q, Hao B, Jiang Y, Chan KF, Sung JJY, Ko H, Liu X, Wang L, Ip BYM, Leung TWH, Zhang L. A magnetically actuated microcatheter with soft rotatable tip for enhanced endovascular access and treatment efficiency. Science Advances. 2025;11(25). doi:10.1126/sciadv.adv1682.
4. Hilkens NA, Casolla B, Leung TW, de Leeuw FE. Stroke. The Lancet. 2024;403(10446):2820-2836. doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(24)00642-1.
5. Wang B, Wang Q, Chan KF, Ning Z, Wang Q, Ji F, Yang H, Jiang S, Zhang Z, Ming Ip BY, Ko H, Chung JPW, Qiu M, Han J, Chiu PWY, Sung JJY, Du S, Leung TWH, Ho Yu SC, Zhang L. tPA-anchored nanorobots for in vivo arterial recanalization at submillimeter-scale segments. Science Advances. 2024;10(5):31. doi:10.1126/sciadv.adk8970.
6. Ip B, Pan S, Yuan Z, Hung T, Ko H, Leng X, Liu Y, Li S, Lee SY, Cheng C, Chan H, Mok V, Soo Y, Wu X, Lui LT, Chan R, Abrigo J, Dou Q, Seiffge D, Leung T. Prothrombin complex concentrate vs conservative management in ICH associated with direct oral anticoagulants. JAMA Network Open. 2024;7(2):e245106. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.5106. (Correction)
7. Ip B, Au L, Chan A, Fan F, Ip V, Ma SH, Ma K, Mok V, Lau A, Leng X, Leung H, Wong A, Abrigo J, Wong J, Yu S, Wong L, Soo Y, Leung T. Evolving ischemic stroke subtypes in 15 years: A hospital-based observational study. International Journal of Stroke. 2022;17(4):444-454. doi:10.1177/17474930211005953.
8. Shi M, Leng X, Li Y, Chen Z, Cao Y, Chung T, Ip BYM, Ip VHL, Soo YOY, Fan FSY, Ma SH, Ma K, Chan AYY, Au LWC, Leung H, Lau AY, Mok VCT, Choy KW, Dong Z, Leung TW. Genome sequencing reveals the role of rare genomic variants in Chinese patients with symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic disease. Stroke and Vascular Neurology. 2022;7(3):182-189. doi:10.1136/svn-2021-001157.
9. Leung TW, Wang L, Zou X, Soo Y, Pu Y, Ip HL, Chan A, Au LWC, Fan F, Ma SH, Ip B, Ma K, Lau AYL, Leung H, Hui KF, Li R, Li SH, Fu M, Fong WC, Liu J, Mok V, Wong KSL, Miao Z, Ma N, Yu SCH, Leng X. Plaque morphology in acute symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic disease. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry. 2021;92(4):370-376. doi:10.1136/jnnp-2020-325027.
10. Liu X, Dai Q, Ye R, Zi W, Liu Y, Wang H, Zhu W, Ma M, Yin Q, Li M, Fan X, Sun W, Han Y, Lv Q, Liu R, Yang D, Shi Z, Zheng D, Deng X, Wan Y, Nogueira R, et al. Endovascular treatment versus standard medical treatment for vertebrobasilar artery occlusion (BEST): An open-label, randomised controlled trial. The Lancet Neurology. 2020;19(2):115-122. doi:10.1016/s1474-4422(19)30395-3.
11. Correction to Lancet Neurol 2019; 18: 653–65. The Lancet Neurology. 2020;19(2):e2. doi:10.1016/s1474-4422(19)30478-8. (Correction)
12. Tang S, Xiong L, Fan Y, Mok VCT, Wong KS, Leung TW. Stroke outcome prediction by blood pressure variability, heart rate variability, and baroreflex sensitivity. Stroke. 2020;51(4):1317-1320. doi:10.1161/strokeaha.119.027981.
13. Lan L, Liu H, Ip V, Soo Y, Abrigo J, Fan F, Ma SH, Ma K, Ip B, Liu J, Fan Y, Zeng J, Mok V, Wong L, Liebeskind D, Leung T, Leng X. Regional high wall shear stress associated with stenosis regression in symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic disease. Stroke. 2020;51(10):3064-3073. doi:10.1161/strokeaha.120.030615.
14. Feng X, Chan KL, Lan L, Abrigo J, Liu J, Fang H, Xu Y, Soo Y, Leng X, Leung TW. Stroke mechanisms in symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic disease: Classification and clinical implications. Stroke. 2019;50(10):2692-2699. doi:10.1161/strokeaha.119.025732.
15. Soo Y, Abrigo JM, Leung KT, Tsang SF, Ip HL, Ma SH, Ma K, Fong WC, Li SH, Li R, Ng PW, Wong KK, Liu W, Lam BYK, Wong KSL, Mok V, Chu WCW, Leung TW. Risk of intracerebral haemorrhage in Chinese patients with atrial fibrillation on warfarin with cerebral microbleeds: The IPAAC-Warfarin study. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry. 2019;90(4):428-435. doi:10.1136/jnnp-2018-319104.
16. Leng X, Lan L, Ip HL, Abrigo J, Scalzo F, Liu H, Feng X, Chan KL, Fan FSY, Ma SH, Fang H, Xu Y, Li J, Zhang B, Xu Y, Soo YOY, Mok VCT, Yu SCH, Liebeskind DS, Wong KS, Leung TW. Hemodynamics and stroke risk in intracranial atherosclerotic disease. Annals of Neurology. 2019;85(5):752-764. doi:10.1002/ana.25456.
17. Soo Y, Abrigo J, Leung KT, Liu W, Lam B, Tsang SF, Ip V, Ma K, Ip B, Ma SH, Fan F, Chu W, Wong L, Mok V, Leung TW. Correlation of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant exposure and cerebral microbleeds in Chinese patients with atrial fibrillation. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry. 2018;89(7):680-686. doi:10.1136/jnnp-2017-317151.
18. Soo Y, Chan N, Leung KT, Chen XY, Mok V, Wong L, Leung T. Age-specific trends of atrial fibrillation-related ischaemic stroke and transient ischaemic attack, anticoagulant use and risk factor profile in Chinese population: A 15-year study. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry. 2017;88(9):744-748. doi:10.1136/jnnp-2017-315735.
19. Leung TW, Wang L, Soo YOY, Ip VHL, Chan AYY, Au LWC, Fan FSY, Lau AYL, Leung H, Abrigo J, Wong A, Mok VCT, Ng PW, Tsoi TH, Li SH, Man CBL, Fong WC, Wong KS, Yu SCH. Evolution of intracranial atherosclerotic disease under modern medical therapy. Annals of Neurology. 2015;77(3):478-486. doi:10.1002/ana.24340.
20. Yu SCH, Zou WXY, Soo YOY, Wang L, Hui JWY, Chan AYY, Lee KT, Ip VHL, Fan FSY, Chan ALC, Wong LKS, Leung TW. Evaluation of carotid angioplasty and stenting for radiation-induced carotid stenosis. Stroke. 2014;45(5):1402-1407. doi:10.1161/strokeaha.113.003995.