HANNAH XUE HONG sees her teenage son only at weekends by flying to Shanghai, leaving her base at the University of Science and Technology, where she is associate professor of biochemistry.
The scientist spends most evenings on campus in Hong Kong, studying scientific literature or protein cells under the microscope. Sometimes her working 'day' runs until 11pm.
Family ties have clearly taken a back seat to her scientific pursuits. Women often pay a higher price than men when it comes to pursuing a career in science. They either endlessly juggle work with family obligations or stay single or childless. Having one son, being cared for by her husband and father in Shanghai, is the most Professor Xue thinks she can commit herself to beyond her work.
'I am grateful that my family is supportive,' said Professor Xue, a one-time Shanghai-based actress now immersed in developing drugs for genetic diseases.
'Like in other fields, you are more likely to be accepted by the scientific community if you are dedicated to your work.'
She is also chair professor at the Chinese Academy of Sciences and principal investigator at the HKUST-based Hong Kong Bioinformatics Centre, a research centre on life sciences jointly funded by the university and the Industry Department.