PROFESSORIAL TALK - PROFESSOR DR. TANG THEAN HOCK

KEPALA BATAS, PENANG, 29 July 2016 – The Advanced Medical and Dental Institute (AMDI), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) once again made its mark when it produced Professor Dr. Tang Thean Hock. He is a Professor in Molecular Biology and as a symbol of his greatest achievement, a special ceremony was held at the Productivity Hall, Malaysian Productivity Corporation (MPC), Bertam, Kepala Batas here today.

According to the director of AMDI, Dr. Norehan Mokhtar, “Since AMDI was established in 2002, this is the fourth professorial talk and I hope that these lecture series becomes a platform of communication and sharing of knowledge in education, academics, and research to everyone in USM and the public. I hope this also enables us to talk about the issues we and the community face and come up with a solution,” she continued.

In his talk, “Small Non Coding RNA – Identification, Function and Application,” Professor Tang stated “generally, my research involves identifying and characterizing RNA especially in microorganisms that will help increase scientific knowledge related to infectious diseases. My research has led to diagnostic kits that can help identify the cause of infectious diseases,” he said.

Professor Tang, 53, was born in Alor Setar, Kedah. As eldest amongst seven, he spent a lot of time helping his father, Mr. Tang Pong Choon, a businessman. His mother, Mrs. Ang Peik Cho is a homemaker. He received his earlier education in Sekolah Rendah Jenis Kebangsaan (C) Keat Hwa (H) dan Sekolah Menengah Jenis Kebangsaan Keat Hwa in Alor Setar. He joined USM in 1982 as a Medical Lab Technician. He continued on in the Microbiology and Parasitology Department, School of Medical Sciences (PPSP) USM as an Assistant Science Officer.

He furthered his studies in the School of Biological Sciences, University of Surrey, United Kingdom working on tuberculosis, followed by a masters (Mphil) and completed his studies in 1996. He won the Technologist of the Country award in 1995 and the Service of Excellence USM award in 1997. He was also offered a scholarship to pursue his PhD in RNomic in 1999 in University of Muenster, Germany.

He also won the Sanggar Sanjung Award in International Journal Publication for five years in a row from 2010. He has also won the gold medal in exhibitions and hold patents for some of his research.

He has received more than 20 grants as main researcher and more than 30 as co-researcher. His work has been published local and international journals. He is also an editorial board member of International Journal of Medical Sciences and Biotechnology, Journal of BioMed Research International, Nucleic Acid Research and ABI-International Journal of Modern Science and Engineering, as well as reviewer for Nature Communications, Nature Pharmacogenomics Journal, Tropical Biomedicine and others.

It was double the joy for him as his son’s 17th birthday fell on the same day. When interviewed, he said, “I have proven it is not impossible to work your way to the top with hard work and dedication. I wouldn’t have gotten to where I am without support from my family and friends.”

Also present were a member of the Board of Governor, USM, Professor Dato’ Dr. Omar Shawkat Aly, AMDI director, Dr. Norehan Mokhtar, deputy directors of AMDI, head of clusters, head of sections, lecturers, students and invited guests.

Text: Muhammad Sallehuddin Abdul Hamid / Photo: Norizan Ishak / Translator: Kumitaa  A/P  Theva Das