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Professor Dennis Lo Yuk-ming, Vice-Chancellor and President of The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), was conferred an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Medical Science by the University of Cambridge at its congregation ceremony on 24 June, becoming the first Hong Kong scientist to receive this honour.

Professor Lo said: “Receiving this honour from the University of Cambridge is of great significance to me, as it was at this institution that I embarked on my journey as a clinician‑scientist. I am grateful to my research team and to the many pregnant women and cancer patients who had participated in my clinical research for making the translation of research advances from the laboratory to the clinic possible. As a scientist who has developed my research career in Hong Kong and now serves as Vice‑Chancellor and President of CUHK, I have a deep appreciation for the shared responsibility of universities to advance knowledge in service of society. This recognition will further strengthen my resolve to chart a new path for CUHK under Strategic Plan 2026–2030, which will deepen connections between cultures, foster enhanced international partnerships, and positions the University as a global hub for innovation and collaboration with enduring impact.”

“I wish this recognition could be an inspiration to others to follow their passions, and to appreciate that scientific breakthrough is forged through perseverance, continuous learning, and the courage to navigate setbacks along the way,” said Professor Lo who has also been appointed a Benefactor Bye-Fellow of Emmanuel College, Cambridge, in recognition of his generosity in supporting the College’s postdoctoral research initiatives.

Professor Lo is recognised for his pioneering contributions to non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) and liquid biopsy. His breakthrough research has revolutionised prenatal screening worldwide and opened new frontiers in early cancer detection, significantly enhancing the safety of expectant mothers and their unborn children while charting new directions for global oncology, and establishing his leadership in the international medical community. NIPT has now been adopted in more than 100 countries, benefiting over 100 million pregnant women. In recent years, Professor Lo has also applied liquid biopsy technologies to cancer, developing a blood test capable of detecting multiple types of cancer and introducing it for clinical application.

Professor Lo joined CUHK as a senior lecturer in the Department of Chemical Pathology in 1997 after completing his education at University of Cambridge and University of Oxford. He later served as Associate Dean (Research) of CUHK’s Faculty of Medicine (CU Medicine), where he devoted himself to advancing research innovation and talent development, strengthening the University’s impact in medical research and clinical application. Since his return to Hong Kong, he has dedicated nearly three decades to teaching and research at CUHK. Over the years, he has developed a deep commitment to the University and its mission, and in 2025 he assumed office as Vice-Chancellor and President of CUHK, further contributing to the University’s future development and global advancement.

Professor Lo is also CUHK’s Li Ka Shing Professor of Medicine and Professor of Chemical Pathology. As the Vice-Chancellor and President of CUHK, he will continue to lead CUHK in driving scientific research innovation and interdisciplinary development, including deepening the clinical application of liquid biopsy in cancer and other major diseases. Through platforms such as Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area research collaborations and the newly established Hong Kong Embodied AI Lab, the University will nurture more outstanding talent with an international perspective, while enhancing its global impact to make greater contributions to society and human well-being.

Professor Lo’s research achievements have had a profound impact on the global medical science community. Since assuming the role of President of the Hong Kong Academy of Sciences in 2022, he has been committed to advancing the long‑term development of the local research ecosystem and strengthening collaboration between Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland and the international scientific community. His contributions have also been widely recognised in the Chinese Mainland, including the inaugural Future Science Prize in Life Science, which is regarded as the China’s Nobel Prize, and Fudan–Zhongzhi Science Award as the first Chinese recipient. He was also elected as a member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and received the inaugural Tengchong Science Award, reflecting the significance of his work to the nation’s medical and scientific advancement.

At the international level, Professor Lo has garnered numerous accolades, including the Thomson Reuters Citation Laureate, the Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences, the Royal Society of London’s Royal Medal in biological sciences, the Lasker-DeBakey Clinical Medical Research Award, and the Jiménez-Díaz Lecture Award. An honorary doctorate by the University of Cambridge further highlights his contributions to the international medical field and highlights the global recognition of Hong Kong’s scientific research prowess.

Please click here for the biography of Professor Dennis LO Yuk-ming