A University of Hong Kong vice-chancellor, Professor Lap-Chee Tsui, has been named a 2012 laureate at the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame for his contributions in medical research. The award celebrates those making “extraordinary contributions” that improve world conditions.

Professor Tsui was chosen for his discovery of the cystic-fibrosis gene, “the most significant breakthrough in human genetics in 50 years”. He has “made extraordinary contributions to science through his discoveries and is a leader in developing the field of genomics”.

Professor Tsui said he felt “honored to be recognized”, but also “deeply humbled” to join “so many revered and respected names” in medical history.

Established in 1994, the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame is the only national hall-of-fame to celebrate medical heroes. Six other new laureates were named: Dr John James Rickard Macleod (1876-1935), Terry Fox (1958-81), Dr Armand Frappier (1904-91), Dr Peter T. Macklem (1931-2011), Dr John Dirks and Dr F. Clarke Fraser.  They join 88 others honored since 1994.

An induction ceremony takes place in Toronto on March 21, 2012. For more details: www.cdnmedhall.org.

Helen Ho
University of Hong Kong

(November 2, 2011)


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