Bulletin No. 1, 2019

Prof. Amos Tai of CUHK’s Faculty of Science has built a career upon his fascination with the wonders of the natural world. He’s come a long way from his childhood attempting to raise small insects to studying atmospheric science in graduate school and finally to becoming an award-winning researcher in CUHK’s Earth Science Programme. This precocious, millennial professor aims to protect and preserve our Earth through groundbreaking research and impassioned teaching. After completing his undergraduate degree from MIT, Professor Tai continued with graduate studies at Harvard. Later, he returned to MIT for his postdoctoral studies. ‘I became humbler when I was surrounded by renowned scholars and intelligent classmates. With an urge to make real-world impact, there was a moment early in my PhD studies when I thought of quitting graduate school to work in an NGO or environmental agency instead. But later, I realized I really loved to teach and interact with students and my passion for scientific research intensified over time, so I decided to continue my academic pursuit.’ Professor Tai’s ability to connect with his students—many of them fellow millennials—makes him a standout teacher in addition to his abilities as a researcher. His ability to see and think from his students’ perspectives remains a priority for Professor Tai. Outside interests such as music and Broadway musicals dovetail with his classroom persona. His background in drama and theatre adds character to his presentation, allowing for lively, animated lectures. ‘I can expound on recondite theories and concepts in a narrative style. It hopefully helps to hold the students’ attention and make the content comprehensible at the same time.’ Associate Professor of Earth System Science Programme at Faculty of Science C.W. Chu College Prof. Amos Tai b. 1984 Clinician-scientists—professionals who practise medicine and undertake research at the same time—are a rare species in academic settings. Dr. Owen Ko had already achieved this when he was just getting started. As a student, he was inspired by students studying medicine and undertaking doctoral research concurrently in the US, and decided to follow suit. First he pursued a one-year intercalated Bachelor of Medical Sciences degree in his second year of medical studies, then he took a four-year leave to enrol in a three-year doctoral programme in neuroscience at University College London, UK, then a year of post-doctoral research, before coming home to continue his medical training at CUHK. ‘Medical school requires students to be knowledgeable, but little attention is paid to the exploration of the frontiers of medicine where all that knowledge comes from. I was eager to explore scientific research before finishing my clinical studies.’ Dr. Ko is an advocate for interdisciplinary studies. In his words, ‘It is better to be familiar with two disparate fields than devoting all one’s efforts to the pursuit of a single subject.’ His interest in neuroscience stems from his passions for mathematics and physics. Multi-avenue interests have paid dividends as he has published in prestigious journals such as Nature and Science . The clinician-scientist concedes that his research can be trying at times. He received the runner-up Eppendorf & Science Prize for Neurobiology in 2014, which is proof that his efforts have not been in vain. While his academic route was atypical and rife with challenges, Dr. Ko’s successes have justified his choices. As a champion for linking disparate fields of research, he remains one of CUHK’s most ambitious young academics. The Golden Jubilee. The Millennials. 17