The first-ever Global Aspiring Medic Conference ("GAMC") took place in Hong Kong in the summer 2015. With keynote speakers including deans, medical professors, researchers and practitioners from top global institutes such as Harvard Medical School, the Royal Society of Medicine, the Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine of the University of Hong Kong, and Novartis, GAMC is the largest aspiring medic conference in Asia for secondary school students!
This non-profit conference provided a mind-stimulating platform for students to gain insights into the many strands of medical industry, including Medicine, Chinese Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Biomedical Science, Biotechnology, Medical Technology, and Psychology as well as insight on medical school admissions and requirements . All fees collected were used to cover the conference expenses.
THE GLOBAL ASPIRING MEDIC CONFERENCE
2015
OUR SPEAKERS
DR. JOHN BETTERIDGE
University College London | Royal Society of Medicine
BSc, MB BS, PhD, MD, FRCP, FAHA
Professor John Betteridge is a Consultant Physician at University College London Hospitals, and currently holds the positions of Emeritus Professor of Endocrinology and Metabolism at University College London and Associate Dean of The Royal Society of Medicine.
Dr Betteridge is a past Chairman of HEART UK and co-chairs the executive committee of CARDS, a major primary CVD prevention trial. He is a “Distinguished Fellow” of the International Atherosclerosis Society (IAS) and a Senior Advisor to the IAS Board, a Fellow of the American Heart Association and a member of numerous international bodies, including the European and American Diabetes Associations. He is a member of the Joint European Society of Cardiology and European Association for the Study of Diabetes taskforce group on Diabetes and Vascular Disease and was a member of the Medical Research Council Steering Committee for the UKPDS. He served on the British Heart Foundation Grants Committee 2005-2009.
Professor Betteridge's main clinical interests are in the care of patients with diabetes mellitus and patients with lipid disorders, while his main research interests relate to the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. He has authored over 300 publications in peer-reviewed journals.
DR. MICHAEL HUMPHRIES
University of Cambridge | Guy’s Hospital Medical School, University of London
MA, MB BS, FRCP, FRCP, FHKCP, FHKAM
Dr. Michael Humphries is Senior Development Franchise Head at Novartis China, and a former Medical Director at GlaxoSmithKline. He studied medicine at the University of Cambridge, before attending Guy’s Hospital Medical School, University of London. He is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians, while also holding other Fellowships at the Hong Kong College of Physicians and Hong Kong Academy of Medicine, as well as Honorary Adjunct Professor in the Faculty of Medicine, Chinese University of Hong Kong. Following residency appointments in London, he moved to Hong Kong in 1984 and was subsequently appointed Consultant Chest Physician to the Ruttonjee Sanatorium. He moved to China in 1997, where he currently resides in Shanghai, and has held a number of appointments in pharmaceutical medicine. In China, he has contributed to the development of 76 new medicines and 92 medical indications. Internationally, he has significantly contributed to 6 global development New Drug Application programs for hepatitis B, heart failure, hypertension and atherosclerosis, and his research interests lie in chronic respiratory disease and tuberculosis.
Dr Humphries’ book "Surgeon on the China Seas: The Journal of Charles Courtney, Surgeon RN recounting experiences and observations of the Second Opium War, 1856-1860" is a unique and hitherto unpublished account of Naval Surgeon Charles Courtney’s travels and observations in a rapidly changing and dramatic era in Chinese medical history.
DR. VIJAY KUCHROO
School of Veterinary Medicine, Hisar | University of Queensland | Harvard University
DVM, PhD
Dr. Vijay Kuchroo is the Samuel L. Wasserstrom Professor of Neurology at Harvard Medical School and Director of the Evergrande Center for Immunologic Diseases at Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston. He is also an associate member of the Broad Institute and a participant in a Klarman Cell Observatory project focusing on T cell differentiation.
Dr. Kuchroo’s major research interests include autoimmune diseases. His laboratory has made several transgenic mice that serve as animal models for human multiple sclerosis. He was the first describe both the inhibitory receptor TIM-3, which is being exploited as a target for cancer immunotherapy, as well as the development of highly pathogenic Th17 cells, which have been shown to induce multiple autoimmune diseases in humans. Dr. Kuchroo’s research into the field of immunology has led to his publication of over 325 original research papers, and his paper describing the development of Th17 has been one of the most cited papers in immunology.
Dr. Kuchroo has 25 patents, and his discoveries have resulted in the formation of many biotech companies, including CoStim Pharmaceuticals and Tempero Pharmaceuticals. He also serves on numerous scientific advisory boards and works in an advisory capacity for internationally recognized pharmaceutical companies including Biocon, Pfizer, Novartis and GlaxoSmithKline.
DR. CHAK-SING LAU
University of Dundee | Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine of the University of Hong Kong
MBChB MD (Hons) FRCP (Edin, Glasg, Lond) FHKCP FHKAM (Medicine)
Professor Chak-Sing Lau is the Chief of Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology at Queen Mary Hospital, and holds the Daniel C K Yu Professorship. Dr Lau is the Director of the Institute of Medical and Health Sciences at the University of Hong Kong’s Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, where he is also the Associate Dean. He is a past President of Asia Pacific League of Associations for Rheumatology and chairs the League’s Education Committee. Indeed, education and development are his passions.
In 2001 Professor Lau co-founded the Hong Kong Arthritis and Rheumatism Foundation with the mission to improve the quality of life of people with arthritis and rheumatic disease, and he professionally advises a number of local health associations. He is on the editorial board of numerous medical journals in rheumatology and has published over 260 peer-reviewed articles.
DR. JASON Y K CHAN
King’s College London
BSc, MBBS
Dr Chan graduated from Guy’s, King’s and St Thomas’ School of Medicine in London in 2005 with distinction in clinical and basic sciences. This was followed by specialist training in Otolaryngology, Head and Neck surgery at the Johns Hopkins University with advanced training in Head and Neck surgery, microvascular reconstruction and robotics. While at the Johns Hopkins University he also received the Henkel Chief Resident Teaching Award in 2013. He is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery at The Chinese University of Hong Kong with research interests including early detection and surveillance of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, nasopharyngeal carcinoma and the application of robotics in Head and Neck Surgery.
CINCI LEUNG
School of Chinese Medicine at the University of Hong Kong
RCMP
Cinci Leung graduated from the School of Chinese Medicine at the University of Hong Kong, is currently a registered Chinese Medicine Practitioner (BChinMed, HKU), and is also a Certified Infant Massage Instructor (CIMI®). She is currently in the process of acquiring her master’s degree in acupuncture at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Her patient-oriented approach, coupled with her high standards for quality, ensure that each of her patients receives the best care.
Cinci is also a firm believer in preventive healthcare, and strives to promote the benefits of a healthy diet and lifestyle to the public. Certified as a CMED practitioner; she is also seeking to lead a new health revolution. Through her experience and enthusiasm to help others, she hopes to change the everyday lives of people in an approachable and sustainable manner.
DR. CHRISTOPHER NORDSTROM
University College London
MB BS, BSc, MCRP
Dr. Christopher Nordstrom graduated from University College London with a prize-winning degree in Medicine and a first-class honours degree in neuroscience. He undertook medical training in London before starting specialist training in anaesthetics and critical care. Christopher has been involved in medical education for over eight years and has received written praise for his teaching from hospitals and universities, including Imperial and University College London. His academic achievements include publications in world-renowned journals, published original research and regular presentations at national and international conferences.
He is one of the UK’s leading UKCAT and BMAT tutors, regularly speaking at national events including the Royal Society of Medicine’s Career Day and the Futurewise Careers Day.
DR. JEFFREY WONG
University of Birmingham
MB ChB (Birm), BMedSc, FRCR (UK), FHKCR, FHKAM
Dr Jeffrey Wong is Specialist in Radiology currently practicing privately. He attended the medical school at the University of Birmingham, UK and graduated in 2001 with an additional intercalated BMedSc in Biochemistry and Cell Biology. Before returning to Hong Kong in 2006, he undertook surgical training in London and a research fellowship at the University of California, San Diego. He trained as a radiologist at Tuen Mun Hospital and was admitted as a fellow of the Royal College of Radiologists in 2009. He also holds fellowships at the Hong Kong College of Radiologists and the Hong Kong Academy of Medicine. He completed his radiology training in 2011 and was promoted to Associate Consultant before leaving the Hospital Authority for private practice. He has co-authored textbooks and published extensively in numerous peer-reviewed prominent medical journals.
DR. CARYN WUJANTO
Imperial College School of Medicine
BSc, MBBS, MRCP
Dr Caryn Wujanto graduated from Imperial College School of Medicine in 2007 with Distinction in Clinical Sciences in her MBBS degree with an intercalated BSc degree in Endocrinology and Metabolism. She was awarded First Class Honours for her BSc clinical research project on ‘Screening for Colon Cancer in Patients with Acromegaly’. Dr Wujanto has worked at the Chelsea & Westminster Hospital, West Middlesex Hospital, Royal Brompton Hospital, Royal Marsden Hospital and Northwick Park Hospital, all of which were affiliated to Imperial College London. Dr Wujanto was co-author of a paper on measurements of growth hormone, published in Clinical Endocrinology, and has written several abstracts which were presented at the Society for Endocrinology and the Neuroendocrine Tumour Society Conferences in the UK. Dr Wujanto has obtained her Membership of the Royal College of Physicians in London (MRCP UK) in 2010 and has also attended a course in ‘Effective Teaching Skills for Doctors as Educators’ at the Royal College of Physicians in 2011.
ADA YUM
University of Oxford | University of Hong Kong
BA, MA (Oxon), M(SocSc), Dip (Ed), Reg.EdPsy, Triple P® Accredited trainer
Ada obtained her degrees in Experimental Psychology with the Oxford Student Scholarship. She later achieved her Masters of Social Science in Educational Psychology (professional practice) from the University of Hong Kong in 2008. With a mission to help children and families to live with more happiness, harmony and hope, Ada served as an educational psychologist in Caritas-Hong Kong since her graduation. Ada manages various charity fundings and projects to deliver assessment and treatment services to children with special educational needs including AD/HD, dyslexia and giftedness. Ada also actively promotes and delivers the Positive Parent Programme (Triple P®) in kindergartens and primary schools of the Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong. As a scientist-practitioner, Ada assists the management of the agency to formulate strategies to incorporate evidence-based proactice to client groups by encouraging action-research in frontline services.
University of Oxford | University of Hong Kong
BA, Hon MA, M(Ed)
JENNIFER MA
Jennifer Ma graduated from Oxford University with First Class Honors in Economics and Management (B.A., Hon M.A.), and achieved her Masters of Education from the University of Hong Kong in 2011.
Jennifer is the co-Founder of ARCH Education, a premier education institute established and headquartered in Hong Kong. Jennifer is responsible for curriculum development and as the Head of University Counseling for UK and HK, Jennifer leads a team of 80+ counselors with subject expertise across 30+ disciplines and specialises in UKCAT and BMAT training.
Medicine has always been one of the most popular subjects amongst students in Asia. With 50+ applicants over the past few years achieving more than 130 offers in total, including 100% success with Cambridge applications in the past 2 years, Medicine is indeed one of ARCH team’s strongest areas. Jennifer has been invited to deliver large scale pre-university preparation talks and workshops at Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups, Hong Kong Outstanding Student Association and the Hong Kong University Academy for the Talented.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER FORUMS
Talk I: Medicine in Hong Kong
Dr Lau is the Associate Dean (Teaching and Learning) at the Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine of the University of Hong Kong. Dr Lau will talk about salient medical institutions in Hong Kong, including the two medical schools – The University of Hong Kong and The Chinese University of Hong Kong – as well as The Medical Council of Hong Kong, The Hong Kong Academy of Medicine, and some of the local medical associations and societies. He will also highlight the challenges of entering and studying at medical school, and the professional routes that qualified doctors can pursue in postgraduate clinical training as well as academic medicine.
Talk II: Medical Research, Entrepreneurship and Developing New Medicines
for New and Old Diseases
With his research background in auto-immune diseases, particularly the role of co-stimulation, Dr Kuchroo has been at the forefront of developing medicines for new and old diseases. Dr. Kuchroo is also a proponent of bringing the entrepreneurial spirit in the sciences and will discuss his experience of combining his findings with R&D companies to help patients around the world.
Talk III: Tackling the Diabetes Pandemic
The doubling of the prevalence and incidence of diagnosed diabetes during 1990-2008 has been attributed to multiple factors, including aging of the population, improved survival rates, growth of minority populations at increased risk, and increased risk factors such as obesity and sedentary lifestyle.
Professor John Betteridge will share with the audience the latest research and solutions created by the joint efforts of different stakeholders within the healthcare industry to tackle the disease. Professor Betteridge will also reference his own academic and practicing experience and share with students, who are interested to tackle global medical issues in the future, the vast opportunities available in the world of medical research.
Talk IV: China and Hong Kong's Contributions to the Evolution of Medicine
Over the past two thousand years, China has contributed greatly to medical science, but much has been buried in ancient textbooks. Even today, surprising contributions are coming to light, ranging from the invention of a smallpox vaccination, to the discovery of the world’s most powerful anti-malarial drug. In particular, Hong Kong has contributed globally-important discoveries in the treatment of tuberculosis and hepatitis. In this talk, Dr. Humphries will highlight the unique contributions of China and Hong Kong to human health, and he will also share observations of his 30-year medical journey in the region.
CLINIC BOOTH EXPERIENCE
Booth I: Diagnostic Radiology
Learn how to interpret x-rays from a professional radiologist! Dr. Wong will provide participants with a basic understanding of the principles behind diagnostic radiology, and introduce traditional imaging techniques as well as emerging technologies which hold much promise in medicine. He will guide participants through engaging activities centred around x-ray interpretation, where they will be able to work collaboratively to form diagnoses using real images and present their findings.
Booth II: From Theory to Practice: Educational Psychology
Drawing upon her professional experience as an educational psychologist, Ms Yum will provide participants with an introduction to a range of developmental conditions which affect both social and academic learning, including autism and ADHD. She will challenge students to think about how symptoms of these conditions can be tested empirically by professionals to make formal diagnoses, and introduce various treatment options. Participants will also have the opportunity to learn first-hand how communication skills can be fostered in children with autism! Much is still not known in this emerging field, but Ms Yum will look into the lines of scientific enquiry underlying learning disabilities, touching upon interdisciplinary subjects such as neurobiology and genetics.
Booth III: Using Ancient Chinese Medicine in Modern Times
Students will be introduced to the fundamental principles of Chinese medicine – how the complex theories are shaped by thousands of years of Chinese history and culture. In particular, Cinci Leung will share the relevance of Chinese medicine to contemporary lifestyles and patient needs. Students will be guided through some common Chinese medicine ingredients and learn the science underlying their preventive impacts on health.
As a Certified Infant Massage Instructor, Cinci Leung will also share the rationale and positive impact of practices on infants!
Booth IV: Navigating the Maze of Medic Admissions
Learn from experts about to best navigate the maze of medical school admissions!
Medicine is one of the most competitive subjects to gain entry to in the world. Beyond top grades, what else can students do to prepare ahead of applications to medical schools in different regions? Students will have the opportunity to talk to experienced university consultants about pathways for studying medicine and related subjects in Hong Kong, UK, US, Australia and Canada for undergraduate as well as postgraduate entry.
Students can gain advice about how to best prepare for their upcoming medicine applications and understand medical school requirements, as well as ways in which they can enhance their medical admissions portfolio - most importantly, how they can develop a firm interest in the subject before committing to the path of professional training!
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