Chinese University scientist wins award for prenatal testing
A local scientist has won a national award for her work on prenatal testing for Down’s syndrome and other conditions, through non-invasive blood testing.
A local scientist has won a national award for her work on prenatal testing for Down’s syndrome and other conditions, through non-invasive blood testing.
Chinese University chemical pathology Professor Rossa Chiu Wai-kwun, 38, received the Chinese Young Women in Science Fellowship award in Beijing on Tuesday, adding to the many awards she had already received for her successful clinical applications in DNA testing.
She is the second Hong Kong recipient of the award since it started accepting nominations from the city two years ago.
Asked about her passion for DNA research, she said, “I don’t know how to do other things. I only know how to work on DNA. That’s what I’m able to do to serve the public.”
Chiu developed diagnosis tests for Down’s syndrome and beta-thalassaemia in foetuses by testing the pregnant mother’s blood. They eliminated the risk of miscarriage associated with invasive procedures in conventional tests.
“I am a mother. I know about a pregnant mother’s eagerness to know about her baby’s health,” said Chiu, the mother of a pair of seven-year-old twin girls.