The Board of Directors of the Hong Kong Institute of Biotechnology (HKIB) announces the appointment of Professor Walter Kwok-keung Ho, Professor of Biochemistry of The Chinese University of Hong Kong, as Managing Director of the Institute effective from 1 January 2003, succeeding Dr Shawn Leung.

　　The Board of Directors of HKIB expressed delight that Professor Ho has taken up this important position; with Professor Ho's strong academic background in biochemistry and wide involvement and contribution in biotechnology, HKIB will be able to build upon the success of Dr Shawn Leung and forge ahead in the pursuit of its mission.

　　HKIB was founded by the Council of The Chinese University of Hong Kong in 1988, with a donation from the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust. It has always dedicated itself to providing the catalyst and essential infrastructure for the emergence of a successful biotechnology industry in Hong Kong through downstream R&D support and an incubator facility for local entrepreneurs to develop biotechnology products. Professor Ho's appointment will further promote and strengthen the interdisciplinary collaboration between HKIB and the academic and research units of the Chinese University.

　　Professor Ho received his A.B. in biochemistry and economics and his Ph.D. in biophysics from the University of California, Berkeley. He joined the Chinese University in 1975 and has served as chairman and chair professor of the Department of Biochemistry since 1998 and 2002 respectively.

　　Professor Ho is very active in the field of biotechnology. He is an honorary professor at the Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences and the Neuroscience Research Centre of Guangzhou Medical College. He is a founding and council member of the Hong Kong Biotechnology Association, an honorary consultant to Maxx Bioscience Co. Ltd., and the director of the Shanghai Hong Kong Anson Research Foundation, Hong Kong Centre.

　　Professor Ho was a member of Hong Kong Government Advisory Group on Radiological Protection; a member of Biotechnology Committee, Industry and Technology Development Council, Hong Kong Government Industry Department; the chairman of Hong Kong Biochemical Association; and an associate editor of Asia-Pacific Biotech News.