Group photo with Professor Kwok-Yung Yuen, teacher and students
Professor Kwok-Yung Yuen, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, Honorary doctorate of the Macau University of Science and Technology, a leading microbiologist and infectious-diseases expert, Chair of Infectious Diseases at the Department of Microbiology and Henry Fok Professorship in Infectious Diseases of the University of Hong Kong, at the invitation of the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine Professor Manson Fok, recently led a four-day practical microbiology workshop for final year MBBS students at Macau University of Science and Technology, focusing on essential topics such as clinical microbiology, infection mechanisms, diagnosis and antibiotic usage.
This hands-on workshop, co-ordinated by Dr. Daniel Baptista-Hon from the Faculty of Medicine, aimed to provide students with a practical understanding of microbiology fundamentals. Professor Yuen shared his expertise, guiding students through the intricacies of clinical applications. The curriculum covered basic clinical microbiology concepts, mechanisms behind infections, methods for diagnosing infections, and responsible antibiotic use.
Professor Yuen in action delivering a masterclass in clinical and practical microbiology
Students actively engaged in cultivating and identifying pathogens, gaining valuable experience that complements their theoretical knowledge. Professor Yuen emphasized the importance of a solid microbiological foundation in medical practice, stating, "Infections is a critical topic in medicine because they are highly treatable. A solid grasp in clinical microbiology will save lives."
The workshop aligns with the Faculty of Medicine’s commitment to providing comprehensive and relevant medical education to “Tomorrow’s Doctors” of Macau. This initiative underscores the significance of hands-on training in medical education, ensuring our students are well-prepared to handle the challenges of infectious diseases and contribute to advancements in healthcare.
Professor Kwok-Yung Yuen is a microbiologist, surgeon and physician. He led the team to identify the human coronavirus of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), for which he was awarded the "Life Science Award" at the 2021 "Future Science Award". During the COVID-19 epidemic, Professor Kwok-Yung Yuen 's team published a paper in The Lancet in January 2020 on "The novel coronavirus can be transmitted from person to person." In August 2020, Professor Kwok-Yung Yuen and Professor Huang Jiandong of the Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences jointly published a paper, confirming for the first time that coronavirus can infect human neural progenitor cells and brain organoids cultured in vitro.
