Bulletin No. 1, 2019

Mr. Pasu Ng holds one of the most unique positions at CUHK: he routinely handles deceased human bodies. This millennial scientist works with dead bodies on a daily basis and is a master of anatomical skills and extraordinary serenity. ‘I’m responsible for body embalming, specimen production and daily operations at the dissecting laboratory. I also attend to the promotion and operation of the Body Donation Programme.’ This skillful embalmer was not a science student in high school and college initially, as he studied design in college and worked as a designer shortly thereafter. By following and watching his relatives who worked as embalmers in the funeral business, he finally moved from a design career to dealing with dead bodies full time. ‘Because of my experience with my relatives’ trade, I already had nearly six years of experience dealing with dead bodies before I applied for the post at CUHK. This gave me a bit of an advantage. So far, I’ve dealt with over 3,000 dead bodies of various causes of death and ages.’ Mr. Ng’s background in design helped him pay attention to detail. A background in art bolsters his studies in science. ‘Studying art sharpens my sensitivity towards human nature, my observation and compassion, and my ability to understand the feelings and concerns of donor family members. It helps me relieve others of any fear or qualm they may have.’ At the design programme at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, he learned about branding and marketing as well, which has become useful in developing his Body Donation Programme here at CUHK. He is proud of his work and hopes to inspire students, who are fellow millennials, to ply their trade with the highest standard. ‘I hope that medical students at the Chinese University will become physicians with compassion and expertise, rather than artisans who busy themselves with inputting data into the computer during consultations.’ Embalmer of School of Biomedical Sciences Mr. Pasu Ng b. 1980 The Golden Jubilee. The Millennials. 15