Messages from Our Alumni

Dr. Veranja Liyanapathirana

Year of Graduation:2015 PhD
Mentor when at CUHK:Prof. Margaret Ip
Current position:Senior Lecturer, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka

http://med.pdn.ac.lk/departments/microbiology/staff/veranja.html

I conducted studies for my doctoral degree under the supervision of Prof Margaret Ip at the Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong from November 2011 till January 2015.

As our team functioned in true team spirit, I could learn not only from my project but also from the projects my team mates conducted and by the numerous side projects that I was involved in. This gave a broader understanding of bacteriological research from basic microbiological to advanced molecular. During my studies I also got the opportunity to attend a number of international conferences and to participate in international workshops conducted both in Hong Kong and in other parts of the world.

My three years of work at CU was a pleasant, an enjoyable and a fruitful time. Despite being the only international student in our team at the commencement of my studies, I never felt left out. My team members were welcoming and generous, not only in academic work but also in personal life and I would encourage any student from anywhere in the world to apply for postgraduate studies at the Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong.

Dr. Zheng Wang

Year of Graduation:2015 PhD
Mentor when at CUHK:Prof. Margaret Ip
Current position:Postdoctoral Research Scientist, Division of Infectious Diseases, Columbia University Medical Center

I obtained my Ph.D. degree in Microbiology under the supervision of Prof. Margaret Ip. My study in CUHK Microbiology was really enjoyable. Here I would like to express my deepest gratitude to my alma mater, for all the great support and concern. Now I am working as a postdoctoral research scientist in Division of Infectious Diseases at Columbia University. Clinical Microbial Genomics, to reveal the functional genomic basis of bacterial pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus and carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae. I am particularly interested in different levels of comparative genomics and combine the bioinformatics theory with the molecular epidemiology to study the evolution / transmission dynamics. My research interests also include the gut microbiome and metagenomics.

Dr. Jo Cheung

Year of Graduation:2012 PhD
Mentor when at CUHK: Prof. Paul Chan
Current position:Senior Manager (Clinical Affairs & IP Management), Bio-Medical Engineering (HK) Limited

Viruses have always been a mysterious and intriguing entity for me. I joined the Department of Microbiology as a Research Assistant, it was my supervisor who later also became my mentor, inspired me into the field of tumour virology through his research interests. At the time, I did not want to give up my full-time post, so I enrolled onto the PhD program on a part-time mode. During my studies, my mentor offered me the best support any student could have hoped for, giving me the freedom to explore, inspiring me how to think and giving me many opportunities to widen my perspectives in virology research. I graduated in 2012 and left the department to embark on my journey.

Prof. Chan Pui Chung, Denise

Year of Graduation:2009 PhD
Mentor when at CUHK: Prof. Paul Chan
Current position:Research Assistant Professor, Stanley Ho Centre for Emerging Infectious Diseases, The Chinese University of Hong Kong

I graduated with a PhD in Virology, working in the HPV team under the guidance of Professor Paul Chan. I participated in research focuses on HPV Immunology and involved in the characterization of immunological responses to oncogenic HPVs. Currently, I am a Research Assistant Professor at the Stanley Ho Centre for Emerging Infectious Diseases, the Chinese University of Hong Kong. My research has crossed the field from the socio-behavioral to the epidemiological, including molecular epidemiology. For more than 5 years, I have been involved in multidisciplinary studies and have led research on the pathogenesis of drug resistance in infectious diseases, HIV and HCV co-infection, community-based sexually transmitted infections, and infectious disease genomics.

Ms. Ann Tam

Year of Graduation:2006 PhD
Mentor when at CUHK: Prof. Paul Chan
Current position:Associate Manager, Clinical Operations, Quintiles Hong Kong Limited

Studying in CUHK Microbiology Department would be the most unforgettable memories in my life. Throughout the two-year all-rounded and intensive training, not only have I gained professional knowledge from my supervisor, Prof. Paul KS CHAN, but I also built a strong interpersonal skill and logical thinking while doing my Mphil projects. Besides, I have met some buddies who supported me in these 2 years.

After graduation from CUHK, I started my career in Clinical Research Industry. I found that my training in CUHK help me a lot in my career development. I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to my supervisor and all of the staffs in Microbiology Department for keeping me companion and support. It has been such a pleasure and a luck to work with you. Wishing you success, good health and happiness in your career and family life.