HKPFS Awardee
Postdoctoral Researcher,
The JC School of Public Health & Public Care,
CUHK
Transforming Lives Through Interdisciplinary Research
As a young student passionate about healthcare and the transformative power of science, CUHK’s PhD graduate Dr. Subhankar Mukhopadhyay knew early on in his life that he wanted to dedicate his career to making real-world impacts.
“I came from a humble background growing up in a remote village in India, but I fell in love with how science could change and transform people’s lives,” he said.
“My parents were always supportive, nurturing me and encouraging me to study hard and achieve my life goals. From my early days, I had developed a special interest in healthcare,” he said.
Fostering a Love for Research
This special interest drove Dr. Mukhopadhyay to pursue his bachelor’s studies in pharmacy, and later he was awarded a scholarship by the Chinese government to pursue a master’s degree in Nanjing, China. It was there that he truly discovered his passion for research and set his sights on a PhD degree.
“I got a chance to conduct meaningful research in the lab and that’s when I knew I wanted to continue down this path,” he explains. However, he wasn’t going to settle for anything but the best.
Dr. Mukhopadhyay presented at the 10th FEMS Congress in Hamburg, Germany (left image) and had the opportunity to connect with Professor Hilary Lappin-Scott, the President of the Congress (centre image).
(Right Image): Poster presentation at the AAPS PharmSCI 360 Conference in Orlando, USA.
As he began exploring his options, he became drawn to CUHK. Coincidentally, Dr Mukhopadhyay’s exceptional research during his master’s studies earned him the prestigious Hong Kong PhD Fellowship (HKPFS) which allowed him to join CUHK’s renowned PhD in Pharmacy programme. In the end, it was the University’s interdisciplinary approach that ultimately sealed the deal.
“CUHK’s Pharmacy PhD programme puts great emphasis on the interdisciplinary mindset,” he said. “By embracing collaborations across different fields, I am confident that I can become a more well-rounded and impactful researcher.”
A Supportive Environment
Indeed, CUHK’s commitment to fostering an intellectually vibrant community was a real attraction for Dr. Mukhopadhyay who attributes much of his personal successes to the support he received from the University.
“The University provided me with state-of-the-art facilities, cutting-edge research technologies and most importantly, incredible mentorship from my supervisor,” he said. “They truly empowered me to apply my theoretical knowledge to tackle real-world healthcare challenges.”
(Left Image): Dr. Mukhopadhyay expresses his gratitude for the invaluable mentorship received from his supervisors, including Prof. Hak-Kim Chan of University of Sydney Pharmacy (in Zoom), his supervisor - Prof. Sharon Leung (CUHK Pharmacy, second from the right), his co-supervisor - Prof. Kenneth To (CUHK Pharmacy, third from the left), Dr. Christopher Lai (CUHK Microbiology, second from the left), and Prof. Joan Zuo (CUHK Pharmacy, first from the left)
(Right Image): Dr. Mukhopadhyay enjoys a good relationship with his lab mate
And Dr. Mukhopadhyay is truly passionate about these goals. “I love doing research, and I love science, but I want to go beyond theoretical research — I want to transform lives and make some real-life impacts.”
Contributions to the Greater Good
He cites the COVID-19 pandemic as an example, sharing that the development of vaccines to help save humanity was an inspiration to him. Not only did it motivate him to pursue larger goals, it also gave him the opportunity to witness firsthand the importance of pharmacy to global health. In addition, a collaborative opportunity between CUHK and the Prince of Wales Hospital enabled him to carry out postdoctoral research in a real-world setting.
“I witnessed how my research could impact public health and address real-life problems. It changed my perspectives, allowing me to view problems from different angles and take action to create further changes,” he said.
Interdisciplinary Training at the Fore
Indeed, Dr. Mukhopadhyay’s credits his interdisciplinary training at CUHK for developing his critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration skills, all of which he says are needed to tackle many of the complex challenges facing the medical world today. Aside from the technical skills, he was also able to work with different researchers from diverse backgrounds such as pharmaceuticals and microbiology without the worry and financial pressure that comes with a PhD. This was priceless in carving out his career path.
“The PhD Programme at CUHK not only honed my technical skills but also instilled values of critical thinking, scientific rigour, and a relentless pursuit of knowledge,” he stated.
Dr. Mukhopadhyay now works as a post-doctoral researcher at CUHK's The JC School of Public Health and Primary Care
To this end, Dr Mukhopadhyay spent his PhD years developing new antimicrobial strategies to combat the growing threat of antibiotic resistance. Noting that the world is facing even more severe pandemics in the future, he believes his research can go some ways to help alleviate healthcare costs.
“We are still confronting the deadliest pandemic of our lifetime, and it’s serious,” he said. “So, that’s what drives me — the desire to transform lives through my research.”
And thanks to his time at CUHK, Dr. Mukhopadhyay believes that he is now a well-rounded and adaptable researcher, ready to contribute to healthcare challenges and excited to continue his work.
(Left Image): Dr. Mukhopadyay visits NASA's Kennedy Space Centre in Florida, USA with his supervisor and colleagues from CUHK Pharmacy
(Right Image): In his free time, Dr. Mukhopadyay enjoys exploring different places in Hong Kong to experience its culture and beautiful scenery
As for aspiring pharmaceutical students, his advice is clear: consider CUHK as your top destination.
“The University’s commitment to interdisciplinary research, state-of-the-art facilities, and exceptional mentorship create the perfect environment to thrive as a PhD student,” he advises. “If you’re passionate about using science to improve people’s lives, CUHK is the place to be.”
