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Fireside Chat with Dr Stella Sun – Navigating Purpose-Driven Careers in Hong Kong’s Life Sciences
Dr Stella Sun (left) and Professor Edmund Lam (right).
On January 30, 2026, over 60 students and staff gathered at the Tam Wing Fan Innovation Wing One for an inspiring Fireside Chat with Dr Stella Sun, Principal Manager (Life & Health Sciences) at Invest Hong Kong. Jointly organised by the Graduate School and the Postgraduate Student Association, the event connected HKU research postgraduate students with a distinguished alumna whose career spans academia, pharmaceuticals, startups, and now government.
The Fireside Chat was moderated by Professor Edmund Lam, Associate Dean (Innovation & Career Development) of the Graduate School. Dr Sun began by sharing her professional journey, reflecting on nearly a decade spent at HKU as a PhD and postdoctoral researcher before transitioning into roles across the life sciences sector. Now at Invest Hong Kong, she plays a pivotal role in promoting two‑way investment and strengthening Hong Kong’s life and health sciences ecosystem, facilitating connections between global companies and Hong Kong partners, and leveraging a worldwide network of 34 overseas offices to support companies aiming to expand through Hong Kong.
Drawing on experience from academia, multinational pharma, and biotech startups, Dr Sun highlighted the importance of adaptability and purpose-driven decision‑making. She described her evolution from a lab‑driven scientist to a connector across sectors—a journey motivated by her desire to translate scientific discoveries into societal impact. “I have always loved science and the curiosity that drives it,” she shared, “but over time I wanted to bring research closer to society and translate it into something tangible and impactful.”
Throughout the session, Dr Sun emphasised the importance of developing not just technical expertise but also communication and collaboration skills—competencies she considers essential for anyone aspiring to bridge research and innovation. Reflecting on her PhD days, she shared that the long nights spent running experiments taught her resilience and critical thinking—skills that remain valuable regardless of where her career has taken her.
Dr Sun’s candid reflections—spanning long research nights, bold career shifts, and her dedication to impact
—offered students a compelling vision of what it means to build a purposeful scientific career.
The conversation also examined Hong Kong’s rapidly expanding innovation landscape. Dr Sun outlined several key enablers driving the city’s growth, including world‑class universities, a strong clinical trial infrastructure, robust R&D facilities such as the Hong Kong Science and Technology Park, non‑dilutive government funding schemes, and strategic access to the Greater Bay Area. Together, these elements make Hong Kong an increasingly attractive hub for biotech development and commercialisation.
The event concluded with a lively Q&A session, during which students raised thoughtful questions on AI‑driven drug discovery, public health policy integration, commercialisation challenges, and diverse career pathways. Dr Sun encouraged students to adopt a “dual mindset”—balancing scientific curiosity with market‑oriented thinking—while seeking mentorship and interdisciplinary exposure to broaden their horizons.
Dr Sun’s journey across academia, industry, and government offered a powerful reminder that meaningful careers are often built through exploration, openness to new opportunities, and collaboration efforts. The Graduate School looks forward to hosting more dialogues that inspire our students to carve impactful paths within Hong Kong’s dynamic innovation ecosystem.
Professor Edmund Lam facilitated an engaging dialogue that encouraged students to reflect on their aspirations and explore diverse, cross‑sector opportunities within the life sciences ecosystem.
Students posing thoughtful questions at the Q&A session.
More than 60 students and staff gathered at the Tam Wing Fan Innovation Wing One on January 30, 2026 for an inspiring chat with Dr Sun.