New Asia College The Chinese University of Hong Kong eNewsletter

The 3rd "Yen Kwo-Yung Lecture in Life Sciences" was co-organized by New Asia College and School of Life Sciences. The series aims to promote the understanding, essence, values and application of life sciences in modern society among the public and students.

The three lectures of "Yen Kwo-Yung Lecture in Life Sciences" were held from 7 to 10 April 2017. Professor Peter WH Holland was invited to be the speaker for all three lectures.

The first lecture, "The Power of Evolution and the Path to Scientific Discovery", was held on 7 April in Sir Run Run Shaw Hall at The Chinese University of Hong Kong. Professor Holland shared his personal experience of walking the road to scientific discovery and offered advice for students of all subjects with three important words, "chance", "criticism" and "confidence".

The second lecture, "The Tree of Life: an Idea that Changed the World", was held on 8 April in the Hong Kong Science Museum. Professor Holland illustrated the tree of life using the animal kingdom and explained how this idea had changed the world.

The third lecture "Embryos, Evolution and the Homeobox: Why Animals are Similar and Different" was held on 10 April in the Sir Run Run Shaw Hall at The Chinese University of Hong Kong. Professor Holland pointed out that important genes had been discovered with similar embryo patterning roles in different animals, but that there are also genetic differences between species. He discussed how these differences affect cells and embryos in humans, insects and animals.

"Yen Kwo-Yung Lecture in Life Sciences" was well received by students and the public and there were many keen interactions between Professor Holland and the audience at the Q&A sessions. New Asia College again expresses its heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Yen Kai-Ming and his family for establishing the "Mr. Yen Kwo-Yung Memorial Fund", which continuously supports organization of the lecture series.