Sam completed his BSc (Hons) in Applied Chemistry (first class honours) from the City University of Hong Kong, where he started research in synthetic organic chemistry and nucleic acid chemistry within Dr Peggy Pik Kwan Lo's research group. Following his undergraduate study, he stayed in same group for a PhD in Chemistry. During the years, he focused on nucleic acid analogues, chemical synthesis of photoactive phosphoramidites, and manipulations on DNA nanostructures.