Nancy Y Ip, president of The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, has received the UNESCO-Equatorial Guinea International Prize for Research in the Life Sciences.
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization said Ip had made important contributions to research on brain function and Alzheimer’s disease, discovering new biomarkers and genetic risk factors. It cited blood-test technology developed to help with early diagnosis and monitoring, as well as pioneering research into gene therapy for neurodegenerative diseases.
Ip is the sixth Chinese scientist to receive the prize since it was established in 2008. She said she was honoured and saw the award as recognition of her team’s efforts to deepen understanding of Alzheimer’s disease.
Ip called for stronger cooperation across disciplines, universities and national borders, saying it could contribute to drug development for Alzheimer’s and other diseases.