The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) announced today the appointment of Prof Nancy Y Ip as the new Vice-President for Research and Graduate Studies (VPRG), starting 1 November 2016.
Prof Nancy Y Ip, currently Dean of Science and Morningside Professor of Life Science at HKUST, is a home-grown neuroscientist of the University who has gained worldwide recognition with her distinguished achievements in brain development and functions, as well as drug discovery for neurodegenerative diseases. Her appointment is the result of a rigorous global search.
The Honorable Andrew Liao Cheung-sing, Chairman of HKUST Council, was elated by Prof Ip’s new appointment. “Prof Ip is well-positioned to provide the leadership and work in partnership with the University’s senior leadership team. With her track record of success in academic administration and her strong local, national and international networks, she will bring the University’s research enterprise and postgraduate education to the next level of excellence.”
Prof Tony F Chan, President of HKUST, also extended his warm congratulations to Prof Ip. “As a veteran leader in education, research and societal outreach, I am confident that Nancy will be able to steer HKUST’s research strength and postgraduate studies to new heights. As a world renowned researcher herself, she will set a high standard and act as a role model for all faculty and students at HKUST.”
An internationally acclaimed neuroscientist, Prof Ip is a Member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, a Foreign Associate of the US National Academy of Sciences, a Fellow of the World Academy of Sciences, and a Founding Member of The Academy of Sciences of Hong Kong. She is also the first international member elected to the Council of the Society for Neuroscience, and a Senior Editor of the Journal of Neuroscience. Her many honors and awards include the L’Oreal-UNESCO for Women in Science Award and Chevalier de l’Ordre National du Mérite. Locally, she is a member of the Advisory Committee on Innovation and Technology to the HKSAR Government, and had served on the Board of Directors of the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks, the Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute, and the Research Grants Council.
Prof Ip received her PhD in Pharmacology from Harvard University. Starting as an Lecturer at HKUST Department of Biology in 1993, Prof Ip rose through the ranks to Professor in 1998, and Chair Professor in 2005. She was the Head of Department of Biochemistry (which later merged with the Department of Biology to form the Division of Life Science), Associate Dean of Science, and the Dean of Science since 2011. She is also the Founding Director of the State Key Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, the first state key laboratory at HKUST established in 2010.
The University’s senior management team expressed their gratitude for the leadership and valuable contributions of incumbent VPRG Prof Joseph Hun-wei Lee, who will return to his academic capacity on completion of his second term of the position by the end of October 2016.
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