Dr Christina Zong-Hao Ma Assistant Professor
Explores human motion controlling mechanism and fall prevention strategies

Location GH153
Phone +852 2766 7671
mail czh.ma@polyu.edu.hk
stream Curriculum Vitae

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Biography Dr. Christina Ma is an Assistant Professor and a Certified Prosthetist and Orthotist (CPO, ISPO Category I) at PolyU BME. Before her appointment at PolyU, she served as a Lecturer, later promoted to Assistant Professor (permanent position), in Prosthetics and Orthotics at Department of Rehabilitation, Jönköping University (JU), Sweden, from 2018 to 2020. She received her PhD from Faculty of Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (2018); and BSc from West China School of Medicine, Sichuan University (2012). She also used to work as a Certified Prosthetist and Orthotist and a Clinical Instructor at China Rehabilitation Research Center (regular appointment, 2012-2013), and a Visiting Research Scholar in Mechanical Engineering at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor (2017).
Dr. Christina Ma’s researchfocuses on
1) comprehensive monitor, evaluation, and improvement of posture, balance & gait;
2) mechanism and prevention of slips and falls; and
3) promotion of physical activity.
To address these challenges, Dr. Ma has contributed to research and development (R&D) of a series of smart wearable devices that could monitor the postural balance, walking pattern, and muscle contraction performance; and then provide some real-time corresponding reminders/warnings to users for necessary motion adjustments. Such devices can not only act as balance/motion aids in daily life,but also facilitate community-/home-based training. Her research outcomes can benefit older adults, patients with stroke, trainers/trainees of muscular fitness training, lower-limb amputees, and patients with low back pain, etc.
As a Certified Prosthetist and Orthotist who used to work in hospitals and rehabilitation centers, Dr. Ma is well-aware of how physical disability could significantly affect the quality of life of older adults and patients, as well as their families. This is why Dr. Ma has a genuine interest in promoting these persons’ quality of life with research and development. Thanks to her multidisciplinary academic trainings inHealthcare and Engineering and her Clinical experience, Dr. Ma hasbeen employing multiple interdisciplinary approaches (e.g., Rehabilitation, Biomechanics, Electronics, Biomedical Ultrasound Imaging, and Smart Wearable Technology) to realize her research goal.




Research Interests
Balance, Posture & Gait
Prevention of Falls & Slips
Promotion of Physical Activity
Prosthetics & Orthotics
Rehabilitation Engineering
Smart Wearable Assistive Technology



Education and Academic Qualifications Doctor of Philosophy, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Bachelor of Science, Sichuan University




Professional Qualifications Certified Rehabilitation Therapist (CRT), National Health and Family Planning Commission, China, 2013
Certified Prosthetist and Orthotist (CPO, ISPO Category I), International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics (ISPO), 2012




Academic and Professional Experiences Assistant Professor in Gerontechnology, Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, HKSAR, 2020 - Current
Assistant Professor in Prosthetics and Orthotics (Universitetslektor, regular appointment), Department of Rehabilitation, Jönköping University (JU), Jönköping, Sweden, 2020 - 2020
Lecturer in Prosthetics and Orthotics (Universitetsadjunkt), Department of Rehabilitation, Jönköping University (JU), Jönköping, Sweden, 2018 - 2020
Postdoctoral Research Associate in Biomedical Ultrasound Imaging, Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, HKSAR, 2017 - 2018
Visiting Research Scholar in Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Michigan (UM), Ann Arbor, USA 2017 - 2017
Certified Prosthetist & Orthotist / Clinical Instructor (regular appointment), Prosthetic and Orthotic Center, China Rehabilitation Research Center, Beijing, China 2012 - 2013
Intern Prosthetist / Orthotist
Prosthetic and Orthotic Center, Sichuan Rehabilitation Center, Chengdu, China, 2012 - 2012
Prosthetic and Orthotic Center, West China Hospital, Chengdu, China, 2011 - 2011