Quest for knowledge: how Hong Kong Student of the Year contender wouldn’t take no for an answer
Dorothy Cheng Wai-chung, the girl who ‘never stopped asking questions’, excels in science and mathematics
“My mum once said the pain in taking care of me was that I never stopped asking questions,” said Dorothy Cheng Wai-chung, 17.
Fortunately, her mother was encouraging, and it was this very inquisitiveness that helped the finalist in the Grand Prize and Scientist & Mathematician categories of the Student of the Year Awards get where she is now.
At a young age, doctors suspected Cheng was mildly autistic. But instead of seeking medical treatment, her parents slowly eased her into society with their encouragement and support.
“It wasn’t easy, but little by little I managed to reach out to other people,” the Form 5 Diocesan Girls’ School student said.
Cheng’s interest in maths and science began at a young age. Her brother’s death before birth due to Edwards syndrome – a chromosomal abnormality – brought her to learn more about genetics.
“I really saw how science can affect lives,” she said.
Since then, Cheng has participated in numerous competitions, including the Chinese Mathematical Olympiad. She is also doing research in protein crystallisation at Chinese University.