Prof. Shirley Ngai obtained her BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy and PhD from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Prof. Ngai was the recipient of 2011 Australian Endeavour Research Fellowship and 2013 Asian Pacific Society of Respirology (APSR) short-term research fellowship for pursuing research studies specialised in airway obstructive diseases at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and The University of Sydney. Her research interests include management of patients with chronic diseases, cardiopulmonary physiotherapy, exercise physiology and assessment.

Prof. Ngai is enthusiastic in education. She is the principal applicant and co-applicant for more than US$2 million of teaching and learning grants to develop teaching innovation and integrate technology enhancement tools to enhance students’ learning and cater for their learning diversity in cardiopulmonary physiotherapy and clinical education. Prof. Ngai is the recipient of several teaching awards from developmental level to international level, including 2016 UGC Teaching Award (Early Career Faculty Member) and 2025 UGC Teaching Award (General Faculty Member) by the University Grants Committee, Second Prize of 2018 National Teaching Achievement Award (Higher Education) by the Ministry of Education in China, 2019/20 President’s Awards for Outstanding Achievement in Teaching by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University and Silver Award (Nurturing Employability) QS Reimagine Award 2025. She is currently the senior fellow of Advance HE (SHFEA) and fellow of Academy of Medical Educators (FAcadMEd).

In addition to her teaching and research leadership experience, Prof. Ngai contributes to the professional services. She is currently Chairperson of the International Affairs and Publications Subcommittee of the Hong Kong Physiotherapy Association, Associate Editor of Hong Kong Physiotherapy Journal, and the elected President of the International Confederation of Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapists (ICCrPT).

• Cardiopulmonary Physiotherapy
• Effect of Acu-TENS in chronic disease management
• Exercise physiology and cardiopulmonary assessments in healthy and disease populations
• Medical simulation and education research