Table of Contents

NEWS IN BRIEF: INTERVIEW WITH FOUR MEMBERS OF THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG

An Interview with Professor Jacky Ngo. Determination and Passion
by Vanessa Yeung
Abstract: Professor Jacky Ngo is an Assistant Professor of School of Life Sciences of The Chinese University of Hong Kong. His research interests are the structure-function studies of proteins that involve the regulation of pre-mRNA splicing, the roles of slicing kinases in various cancers and viral infections and the molecular basis of interactions between and their substrates.

Interview with Professor Wong Chi Hang Eric
by Jory Fong, Lauren Lam, and Sharon Chung
Abstract: Prof. Wong Chi Hang Eric, is recently working as an assistant professor at the Prince of Wales Hospital. He mainly focuses on the researches on tumors and cancers in the Department of Clinical Oncology. The Department of Clinical Oncology aims to function as “one of the leading Comprehensive Cancer Centers in South East Asia and Southern China” by applying innovative diagnostic techniques, development of patients support services and clinical laboratory research, as well as teaching undergraduate and post-graduate students”. Prof. Wong graduated in 2004 and obtained his Ph.D. in the Department of Biochemistry at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. He spent 2 years working on infectious diseases after his graduation. Then, he went to Singapore for 4 years to do research on cell biology under the supervision of Prof. Li Hoi Yeung. He went back to Hong Kong in 2011 to work on cancer cell related research, such as drug resistant mechanisms in the hospital.

Interview with Professor Jerome Hui Ho Lam
by Lauren Lam, and Sharon Chung
Abstract: As soon as my partner and I entered the office where the word ‘3:30 interview’ was written on the white board, Professor Hui of the School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, immediately greeted us with a big smile on his face. ‘What are you two planning to study at University?’ As we were settling down for the interview, Professor Hui suddenly sprang a question on us. He is quite concerned about the impact of the current education system on teenagers.

‘Though the new DSE (Diploma of Secondary Education) system may bring a lot more choices to students, it may also adversely affect them in that many actually do not exactly know what they want to do in the future.’ He observed, after listening to both of our indistinct answers. He expressed that many Hong Kong students nowadays lack clear goals and are not able to focus on their true interests, as they are given too many choices. Furthermore, more and more teenagers in the face of increased choices and competitions will choose to study in certain fields only because it ensures impressive job prospects, rather than their own interests.

‘It is certainly a great concern because people cannot really do well when they study something that they are not interested in.’ he said with a frown. Being too pragmatic is becoming one of the characteristics of Hong Kong students, compared with students from other countries. ‘They are just too pragmatic that sometimes the attitude diminishes the true meaning of learning.’ He continued. Using his unique and extensive experiences as supportive evidence, he believes that interest should be the most important factor considered when they are choosing their studies. After all, the main reasons for him to become a professor are his enthusiasm in doing researches and passion in education.

Report on the Research of Professor Wong Chun Kwok
by Sharon Chung
Abstract: Professor Wong Chun Kwok obtained his PhD degree in Immunology from the Department of Biochemistry, CUHK in 1993, postdoctoral appointments at the Centre for Biochemical and Biophysical Science and Medicine of the Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, USA (1994-1996), and the Pulmonary and Critical Care Unit at the Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School (1996-1997). Afterwards, he was appointed postdoctoral research in the Department from August 1997, Scientific Officer in July 2000, Associate Professor in 2001 and Professor since 1 August 2009. He has also been appointed as Assistant Director of Institute of Chinese Medicine, CUHK since 2009 and Joint State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China since 2010. Professor Wong has been the President of Hong Kong Society for Immunology and Hong Kong Society of Flow Cytometry and current Executive Member of the Hong Kong Society for Immunology and Institute of Biology, Hong Kong Branch.

Professor Wong is also involved in teaching medical students for Immunology, Clinical Biochemistry and General Education and even some evening classes for part-time students. He has mentioned that Immunology is the core subject which all medical students in CUHK have to study in Year 2 and Biochemistry is a study on the chemical reactions inside human body. However, general education is not related to science as it is more about common sense. Students are assigned with projects of free topic and have presentation during class. Instead of teaching, Professor Wong spends most of his time in research include Immunology, Chinese Medicine etc. He also serves as Honorary Scientific Officer (Medical) in the diagnostic clinical chemistry laboratory at Prince of Wales Hospital.