Wu Dinglan, Ph.D. Graduate in Biomedical Sciences

After completing my BSc in 2002, I was deeply inspired by the potential of biomedical research to address critical human health challenges. A pivotal experience at Sun Yat-Sen University’s School of Life Sciences, where I worked on prostate cancer research, sparked my passion for understanding the biological mechanisms behind this disease. My assigned project focused on optimizing a biomarker detection chip for prostate cancer, but I found myself more intrigued by the disease’s origins and molecular pathways. Limited by the research facilities at the time, I yearned for a world-class platform to dive deeper into tumor biology. At the time，a visiting talk by Prof. Chan Hsiao Chang from CUHK opened my eyes to cutting-edge medial science and collaborative opportunities. Inspired by world-class resources in CUHK and the chance to work alongside leading scientists, I seized the opportunity to join the School of Biomedical Sciences (SBS) (then under Anatomy) in 2009. Under the mentorship of Professor Franky L. Chan, I embarked on my PhD journey, delving into the role of nuclear receptors in prostate cancer.

From 2009 to 2012, my PhD research at SBS centered on the orphan nuclear receptor TLX and its role in prostate cancer development and hormone resistance. Guided by Professor Chan, I investigated how TLX regulates cancer stemness and androgen insensitivity in castration-resistant prostate cancer. Prof. Chan’s mentorship was transformative, teaching me the art of experimental design, critical thinking, and clear scientific communication. Early experiments didn’t align with our hypotheses, but Prof. Chan encouraged me to follow the most striking observations, which clarified my research direction by the end of the first year. This work later led to high-impact publications in The Journal of Pathology and Oncogene, laying the groundwork for my future career. Prof. Chan’s hands-on teaching—covering animal dissection, surgical techniques, and prostate cancer pathology—remains invaluable to my current work. His dedication to connecting students with external resources also honed my ability to build academic networks.

The collaborative culture at SBS further enriched my experience. Faculty members like Prof. Cho Chi Hin, Prof. Huang Yu, Prof. Andrew M. Chan, Prof. Alfred S.L. Cheng, Prof. Chen Yangchao, Prof. Zhao Hui, and Prof. Yao Xiaoqiang generously shared their expertise, resources, and encouragement. The annual SBS Research Day, where faculty and PhD candidates showcased their work, broadened my perspective and fostered a culture of mutual learning. Moreover, the core facility’s advanced equipment platform and expert technical support greatly enhanced my experimental skills. This vibrant, supportive environment, paired with access to advanced technologies, equipped me with hands-on expertise in cancer biology and preclinical studies, preparing me to tackle complex biomedical challenges.

The three-year PhD programme was a cornerstone of my academic and professional journey. Rigorous training in scientific thinking, research methods, data analysis, and scientific writing empowered me to lead independent projects. My PhD research on prostate cancer paved the way for a postdoctoral fellowship and research associate role at CUHK (2013–2017) and later an independent position at the Clinical Innovation & Research Centre (CIRC) at Shenzhen Hospital of Southern Medical University. There, I established my own research team and field in cancer immune microenvrionment. The foundation built at SBS enabled me to secure eight competitive grants as PI and publish over 30 high-impact work on cancer biology, closely in collaboration with clinical experts.

The programme’s emphasis on networking also facilitated international opportunities, including a Senior Visiting Scholar position at Nanyang Technological University in 2022. Equally transformative were the mentorship skills I developed during my PhD training. As an independent PI, I have guided five postdoctoral researchers, nine master’s students, and two PhD candidates in the past several years.

CUHK actively support PhD students to attend top-tier international research conferences. The inspiring theme of my first American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting in 2010 during my first year of PhD, “Cancer Research Saves Lives”, continues to motivate me to dedicate my efforts to advancing tumor research and improving patient outcomes.

Today, as an Assistant Professor in Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, I aim to advance biomedical sciences by developing innovative diagnostic tools and novel therapeutic targets for prostate cancer. My research focus on unraveling the molecular mechanisms of treatment resistance and the immune microenvironment in prostate cancer, with an eye toward clinical applications. Collaborating closely with Prof. Chi-fai Ng and the S.H. Ho Urology Centre team, who share a bold vision for improving urological disease management, I hope to translate discoveries into improved diagnostics and therapies, particularly for treatment-resistant prostate cancer.

I’m also dedicated to mentoring postdocs and PhD students, sparking their curiosity and equipping them to tackle challenges in cancer biology, especially prostate cancer. I also aim to expand international collaborations to accelerate research progress, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region. By blending innovative research, education, and translational efforts, working hand-in-hand with clinical experts, I hope to contribute to breakthroughs that directly benefit cancer patients.

Prof. Wu Dinglan joined the Department of Surgery, CUHK in 2025