HKUST President Prof. Nancy IP Receives UNESCO–Equatorial Guinea International Prize for Research in Life Sciences

HONG KONG SAR– Media OutReach Newswire — 7 November 2026– Prof. Nancy IP, President and The Morningside Professor of Life Science at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology(HKUST)has actually been granted the 2026 UNESCO-Equatorial Guinea International Prize for Research in the Life Sciences in acknowledgment of her pioneering contributions to neuroscience and Alzheimer’s illness research study. The award event was hung on November 6 at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, France.In revealing the award, UNESCO acknowledged Prof. Ip as a globally renowned neuroscientist whose research study has actually considerably advanced the understanding of brain function and neurodegenerative illness. It highlighted her group’s discoveries of unique biomarkers and hereditary danger aspects for Alzheimer’s illness, the advancement of an ingenious blood-based diagnostic innovation that allows earlier detection and tracking of the illness, and her pioneering advances in gene treatment research study that have actually opened brand-new opportunities for the avoidance and treatment of neurodegenerative conditions.

Getting the award in Paris, Prof. Ip revealed her genuine appreciation to her research study group, partners and associates, and thanked HKUST for its unfaltering assistance throughout her clinical journey.

Prof. Ip stated:” I am deeply honored to get the UNESCO-Equatorial Guinea International Prize for Research in the Life Sciences. This acknowledgment belongs not just to me, however likewise to the lots of skilled and devoted staff member, partners and associates who have actually added to these accomplishments. It shows our shared dedication to advancing understanding, deepening our understanding of Alzheimer’s illness, and equating clinical discoveries into significant advantages for clients and society.

She included: Alzheimer’s illness is not simply a clinical and medical difficulty. It is likewise a deeply human one, exceptionally impacting the lives of those coping with the illness and their households. Their guts advises us why our work matters and influences us to reach greater.”

Prof. Ip likewise stressed the significance of international clinical cooperation and supporting future generations of scientists. “Science is a cumulative undertaking,” she stated. “Every advancement is developed on cooperation throughout disciplines, organizations and borders. As a researcher and university president, I think we should likewise empower young scientists by providing the flexibility to pursue their interest, the self-confidence to take intellectual threats, and the assistance they require to deal with the grand difficulties dealing with humankind.”

Development Contributions to Neuroscience and Alzheimer’s Disease Research

Prof. Ip has actually committed more than 3 years to advancing research study on neurodegenerative illness. To date, she has actually released over 350 academic documents and holds 144 patents. Her pioneering work has actually substantially deepened clinical understanding of intercellular interaction in the nerve system, synaptic signaling, and the molecular systems underlying neurodegenerative illness. Her research study group has actually likewise accomplished a series of developments in determining protein targets related to these conditions, opening brand-new opportunities for their medical diagnosis and treatment.

Acknowledging that Alzheimer’s illness research study has actually traditionally relied greatly on information from Western populations, with Asian populations being fairly underrepresented, Prof. Ip led her group in developing a massive Chinese Alzheimer’s illness biobank. By incorporating medical information, neuroimaging info, and multi-omics datasets from Chinese populations, the group effectively determined numerous hereditary threat elements common amongst Chinese people. These findings have actually offered essential clinical insights into illness systems and laid a structure for the advancement of accuracy diagnostic and restorative techniques.

Over the last few years, Prof. Ip and her group have actually made considerable advances in the early detection of Alzheimer’s illness and the medical translation of associated research study. They co-developed an extremely precise, minimally intrusive, and effective blood-based diagnostic test that can help early detection of Alzheimer’s illness and aid determine people with moderate cognitive disability, consequently supporting prompt medical evaluation and intervention preparation, in addition to the recognition of ideal individuals for scientific trials. The innovation has actually been embraced by numerous health care organizations in Hong Kong and has actually because been broadened into neighborhood settings, assisting to notify more reliable illness management and risk-reduction methods. The group is actively checking out unique gene treatment methods for familial Alzheimer’s illness through gene-editing innovations, with the objective of establishing an incorporated development pipeline covering early medical diagnosis to next-generation therapies.

An Internationally Acclaimed Scientist

Prof. Ip is President of The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) and simultaneously functions as Director of the State Key Laboratory of Nervous System Disorders and Director of the Hong Kong Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases. Prior to signing up with HKUST, she was a Senior Staff Scientist at Regeneron Pharmaceuticals in the United States. Because signing up with HKUST, she has actually held a variety of crucial management positions, consisting of Head of the Department of Biochemistry, Dean of Science, and Vice-President for Research and Development, before presuming the presidency of the University in 2022.

Prominent globally for her clinical accomplishments and scholastic management, Prof. Ip is a chosen member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the United States National Academy of Sciences, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS), Academia Europaea, and the Hong Kong Academy of Sciences. Her lots of honors consist of the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Award, the State Natural Science Award of China (two times), and acknowledgment by Nature as one of China’s “Ten Science Stars”. She was likewise selected Chevalier de l’Ordre National du Mérite by the French Government and granted both the Silver Bauhinia Star and Bronze Bauhinia Star by the HKSAR Government.

The UNESCO-Equatorial Guinea International Prize for Research in the Life Sciences was developed by UNESCO to acknowledge exceptional clinical accomplishments that advance human health and enhance lifestyle. The Prize promotes clinical quality, worldwide cooperation, and the advancement of research study networks worldwide. This year’s reward is shared by 3 laureates, who collectively get US$ 300,000 and an Integración Tribal statuette developed by Equatorial Guinean artist Leandro Mbomio Nsue.

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About The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) (https://hkust.edu.hk/is a first-rate university renowned for its quality in ingenious education, research study, and impactful understanding transfer. Embracing a holistic and interdisciplinary method to education, HKUST was ranked 33rd worldwide and 6th in Asia in the QS World University Rankings 2027 and QS Asia University Rankings 2026, respectively. It was likewise ranked 20th worldwide in the Times Higher Education Sustainability Impact Ratings 2026, positioning initially amongst universities in Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland for the 3rd successive year. Eleven HKUST topics were ranked amongst the world’s leading 50 in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026. In addition, HKUSTs Computer Science discipline, which incorporates locations such as expert system and artificial intelligence, was ranked No. 1 in Hong Kong for the tenth successive year in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2026. Its graduates are extremely competitive, regularly ranking amongst the world’s leading 30 most popular workers. In research study and entrepreneurship, more than 80% of HKUST’s research study was ranked “world-leading” or “globally outstanding” in the University Grants Committee’s Research Assessment Exercise 2020. Since September 2026, HKUST members have actually established more than 2,000 active start-ups, consisting of 11 unicorns and 23 effective exits through going publics (IPOs) or mergers and acquisitions (M&A).