Sun Kwok received both a master’s degree (1972) and a Ph.D. (1974) in astronomy and physics from the College of Science and Engineering at the University of Minnesota. He is best known for his theory on the origin of planetary nebulae and the evolution of sun-like stars. 

His more recent accomplishments include the discovery of proto-planetary nebulae, the missing link in our understanding of the late stages of stellar evolution, and the discovery of the unidentified emission feature at 21 microns, which is believed to be an unusual carbonaceous compound. Using space-based infrared telescopes, he has found that organic compounds with aromatic and aliphatic structures can be synthesized rapidly in the late stages of stellar evolution. These star-manufactured compounds are now known to have spread widely throughout the galaxy and are believed to have played a role in the chemical enrichment of the early solar system.

Kwok led Canada’s participation in the international submillimeter satellite mission Odin from 1994–2003 and then went on to direct the Taiwanese participation in the Submillimeter Array (SMA) on Mauna Kea, Hawaii before returning to his native land in 2006. At the invitation of the University of Hong Kong, he accepted the position of Dean of Science and Chair Professor of Physics, where he was responsible for reforming the science curriculum and expanding the faculty. He is now a professor emeritus at the University of Hong Kong.

Kwok is the author of the textbook Physics and Chemistry of the Interstellar Medium, which is used in many leading universities throughout the world, and the author of many articles in popular science magazines.