• Psychosocial interventions for people with mental illness.
• Physical health interventions and multimorbidity in people with severe mental illness.
• Mental health literacy and stigma.
• Treatment satisfaction and adherence.
• Use of Novakian concept mapping as a research and educational tool.
• Methodological expertise: Clinical Trials, Systematic Reviews, Observational and Mixed-Methods Studies.

Dan would be willing to consider PhD and Master by Research students in mental health related subject areas.

Selected recent Research Awards (as Lead Chief Investigator or Co-Investigator):

2020-2023. Evaluating the effectiveness of a peer-led management program for people with recent-onset psychosis: A randomized controlled trial.  Health and Medical Research Fund,  Hong Kong Government, HKD $ 861,880.

2020-2022. Learning to learn reflectively: Using individual serial concept maps to enhance reflective thinking, reduce the theory-practice gap and improve learning self-efficacy, academic-related stress and academic achievement in mental health nursing students. Teaching Development Grant, PolyU/University Grants Committee, Hong Kong, HK$198,500.

2019-2022. “Mind Space”- The Castle Peak Hospital Mental Health Experience Museum: A Service Evaluation. PolyU Departmental General Research Funds, HKD $149,764. 

2019-2021. The impact of video gaming on cognitive function in Schizophrenia (GAME-S).General Research Fund, Hong Kong Government, HKD $1,151,999,

2018-2020. An Evaluation of the Effectiveness of a Professional-supported Problem-solving-based Self- learning Program for Family Carers of People with Recent-onset Psychosis: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Health and Medical Research Fund, Hong Kong Government, HKD $697,060.

2017-2020. Thai Health Improvement Profile intervention to prevent weight gain in people with early psychosis (HIP-T First).  International Research Network, Thailand Research Fund, Royal Thai Government, THB 280,000.

2017-2019. Laughter Yoga for improving depression, anxiety and stress in people diagnosed with major depressive disorder: A feasibility study. PolyU, Departmental General Research Funds, HKD $149,969.

2017-2019. Relationship between physical fitness, cardiovascular risk, recovery of mental illness and quality of life among people with severe mental illness in Hong Kong. PolyU Departmental General Research Funds, HKD $150,000.

2016-2017. Mental health literacy and health-seeking behaviour in the Western Pacific. World Health Organization competitive funding grant. USD $19,142.00