Pathways to a HKUST PhD Born Cheung Chau, Hong Kong Inspiration Hong Kong Chemistry Olympiad at high school and opportunity to participate in the iGEM international research project competition in Boston as a HKUST undergraduate Education BEng in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (First Class), HKUST ( ) Awards Butter eld Croucher Studentship (Best Candidate of Medical and Biological Sciences) Croucher Research Studentship Gold Award, PhoMedics, HKUST-Sino One Million Dollar Entrepreneurship Competition Dean’s List ( times) 23 IN FOCUS Some might hesitate to pursue a doctoral degree since it seems the only career destination is academia and the life of a PhD student is nothing but “permanent head damage” and hours in the lab. While it might be true that I spend long hours in my lab, a PhD is certainly a lot more than a degree – it is a part of my career-building, from academia to application. What I wish to achieve is not only good research but to translate this work into practical use. In my postgraduate life, I have been primarily working on CHAMP (computational high-throughput autofluorescence microscopy by pattern illumination), a thick tissue imaging technology that provides cellular images to assist surgeons in determining if cancer cells have been completely removed. Current procedures can take days before results are generated. For patients, this means living in fear for a lengthy period, anxiously waiting to hear whether they will need a second operation. With CHAMP, analysis and results can be returned in three minutes during surgery, eliminating the need for second operations, which I see as a really meaningful development. I have also gained the opportunity to form a start-up, PhoMedics, with fellow researchers and supervisor Prof. Terence WONG to translate CHAMP technology to a marketable product. There are many new areas to tackle when setting up a company, ranging from product design to regulatory concerns and business strategy. It is certainly challenging but together with a good team from diverse backgrounds, and the support and funding provided by HKUST for its spin-o s, we are growing collectively. It is never wrong to become a PhD student if you are looking for a challenge in realizing your idea. A PhD in engineering does not mark the end in the eld. On the contrary, it provides good training to equip yourself with a problem-solving mindset to accept new challenges. It could even be the rst step to building your own career in technology innovation. It is especially true for women who want to take a shot at joining the pack! Undoubtedly, we work in a vigorous eld, but engineering is one that treasures innovation, logic, and cautious validation, qualities that both men and women possess. In fact, many of my female friends in Hong Kong and abroad are doing very well in their respective areas. Science and engineering never discriminate, and I do look forward to seeing more women in these spheres! Hi-tech CHAMPions: Ivy Wong (front row, center), with her PhoMedics teammates and start-up founder Prof. Terence Wong (second row, right). Ivy WONG Hei-Man Year , PhD in Bioengineering Lead Engineer, PhoMedics
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