Professor George Fu Gao, HKIAS Senior Fellow and Director of the Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, and Chinese scientists have created an artificial protein that they say could be the basis of a vaccine to help ward off various deadly coronaviruses, including the pathogen that causes Covid-19. In a peer-reviewed paper published in the scientific journal Cell on 28 June 2020, the research team led by Professor Gao said the approach triggered a strong antibody response in mice and monkey trials to Middle East respiratory syndrome (Mers) and the Covid-19 coronavirus. According to Professor Gao, the framework of immunogen design can be universally applied to other betacoronavirus vaccines to counter emerging threats.

Professor George Fu Gao, HKIAS Senior Fellow, was elected a Foreign Associate of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) on 30 April 2019. The honour recognizes the significant contribution of Professor Gao in the field of clinical-related preventive medical sciences and public health. The National Academy of Sciences elected 100 new members and 25 foreign associates in recognition of their distinguished and continuing achievements in original research this year.

香港高等研究院资深院士高福教授于2019年4月30日获选为美国国家科学院（NAS）外籍院士，以彰显高教授在临床相关预防医学和公共卫生领域的重大贡献。今年，美国国家科学院共选出了100名新院士和25名外籍院士，以表扬他们在原创研究方面取得的杰出成就。