Biologist laments science brain drain
Omicron Ma Leung-hang, a postgraduate biology student at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) believes his future is not in Hong Kong, but somewhere in the US or Europe. Like many other Chinese scientists whose work has become recognised, Mr Ma says he will need to move overseas to accomplish his goals.
'In Hong Kong, scientific research is generally not considered a high-potential career compared to other professions such finance or the legal profession,' says Mr Ma, who is researching the role of calcium signalling in the cells of zebra-fish embryos and their function in the early stages of organ development.
Calcium has been described as a universal messenger, carrying signalling information across cells, tissues and organs. The research involves using ultra-sensitive bioluminescent light injected into zebra-fish cells. His research could provide a platform for other researchers to discover how some growth disorders or illnesses occur.
The recognition and importance of Mr Ma's research led to a three-month summer camp at the famous Marine Biological Laboratory, in Wood Hole, Massachusetts, the base for 35 Nobel laureates and some of the world's most distinguished biologists. Mr Ma was one of only 24 postgraduate students worldwide, and the only Asian, to be invited.
Despite Mr Ma's passion and skill at scientific research, Hong Kong could easily have ended up with another financial professional, if he had given in to family and peer pressure. 'My family and friends thought a career as a biologist offered few prospects,' says Mr Ma. He says his experiences in the US have highlighted the gulf between the way government and business supports scientific research in Hong Kong, compared with the US.
'In the US there is huge funding for research and support from businesses who see the need and benefit of combining scientific research with commercial enterprises. In Hong Kong we still have a lot of catching up to do,' he says.
A case in point was last week's Biotechnology Conferences on Health and Diseases at HKUST, where the keynote speaker was renowned medical biochemist Professor Anthony Campbell.
Unfortunately, a number of Hong Kong school children missed his unique and crowd-pleasing lecture when a scheduled presentation was cancelled due to a lack of interest.
Instead, Professor Campbell spoke to a group of teachers and doctors at the Prince of Wales Hospital.
In addition to attending the conference, part of Professor Campbell's Hong Kong mission was to see if a link could be formed between Hong Kong schools and the Wales-based Darwin Centre for Biology and Medicine, which he founded.
The Darwin Centre aims to inspire fresh research and encourage an interest in science, through a university network linked to schools and the public. The centre is a charity that organises an annual Darwin Festival designed to encourage young people to take an interest in science by introducing them to fun activities.
The centre has links to schools and organisations in Europe. 'I was hoping we could get something going between the centre and Hong Kong, but at the moment the focus seems to be on developing solicitors and accountants,' says Professor Campbell.
