A magical pursuit
Professor Ng Siew-chien, a distinguished gastroenterologist at CUHK, has been named Croucher Professor in Medical Science, the first professorship bestowed by the respected foundation dedicated to promoting science in Hong Kong.
Delivering her inaugural lecture to a packed audience in Shaw College Lecture Theatre on March 21, Professor Ng shared her life stories and highs and lows in her academic pursuit.
A Malaysian-Chinese born in Penang, Professor Ng went to Britain after finishing high school in her home country because the very few university places for medical study, which she wanted to pursue, were mostly reserved for local native Malays. After completing her A-levels, she secured her medical training in the renowned St. Bartholomew’s Hospital after writing to the dean, calling him many times and knocking on his door for an interview opportunity. That door brought her into the world of medicine.
“To the next generation, when you find your passion, you have to do everything to make it happen. It’s easier to be fearless when you’re still young,” she told the audience.
Professor Siew joined CUHK in 2010 after working as a clinician-scientist for more than ten years in Britain. At CUHK, she has made groundbreaking findings in research in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and the gut microbiome. She also co-founded a biotechnology company, translating innovative microbiome solutions to detect and treat different diseases, including colorectal cancer, IBD, autism and long COVID.
She thanked the Croucher Foundation, an independent private foundation in Hong Kong for promoting science, technology and medicine, for granting her a senior medical research fellowship in 2020 to further her research on IBD. “I am very honoured and humbled to be the first recipient of the Croucher Professorship in Medical Science. It marks an important milestone in my academic and research career,” she said.
“I am fortunate to have had many opportunities in my life and to wear multiple hats at the same time: a clinician, a scientist, a mentor and an entrepreneur. Coming to Hong Kong is like a dream come true,” she said. “The city has a pool of world-renowned scientists and clinicians, an inspiring research environment and an innovative culture which provides a fertile environment for me to explore.”
“The path to discovery is long but it is important to leave no stone unturned if we want to make important discoveries. I plan to dedicate myself to medical research and to contribute to the improvement of people’s health in Hong Kong and beyond.”
