Despite decades of research, Alzheimer's disease -- characterized by memory loss and impaired cognitive function -- has remained irremediable. Nevertheless, a Hong Kong neuroscientist is at the forefront of research into this complex illness, contributing to the development of new drug treatments and strategies to manage its impact.
Professor Nancy Ip will speak at a Chamber webinar on 13 January about her research into Alzheimer's disease, which causes tremendous distress for not only sufferers, but also their friends and families. Alzheimer's disease generally affects people aged over 65 more often, so it is a growing issue for Hong Kong and Mainland China due to their ageing populations.
While Alzheimer's disease remains incurable, Ip and her team have made important advances in treatment. At our webinar, she will discuss the latest findings in Alzheimer's research, and two new approaches for Alzheimer's drug development. Ip, a world-renowned neuroscientist, will also explain the genetic risk factors of Alzheimer's disease among Chinese people, and how these studies create new opportunities in drug discovery.
Ip is currently the Vice-President for Research and Development, The Morningside Professor of Life Science, and the Director of the State Key Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. She received her PhD in Pharmacology from Harvard Medical School, after which she held the position of Senior Staff Scientist at Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. in New York. Since joining HKUST in 1993, she has served as the Dean of Science, Director of the Biotechnology Research Institute, and Head of the Department of Biochemistry.
Her major research interests are in neuronal functions and plasticity, as well as drug discovery for neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease.
She is elected to the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, the World Academy of Sciences, and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences; and is also a founding member of the Hong Kong Academy of Sciences. Ip has received numerous awards and honours including the National Natural Science Awards, the L'OREAL-UNESCO for Women in Science Award, and the 10 Science Stars of China by Nature. |