Hew Choy Leong

Choy Leong has made his mark as a scientific leader, entrepreneur and administrator in a career spanning over 40 years

Emeritus Professor Hew Choy Leong is renowned internationally for his pioneering research on fish genetic engineering breeding. His groundbreaking work on fish antifreeze proteins and the development of transgenic fish technology is behind the first genetically modified (GM) salmon approved for human consumption.

As Head of NUS’ Department of Biological Sciences (1999 to 2008), he elevated the department’s stature internationally in research excellence, staff quality and funding support. As Director of the former NUS Office of Life Sciences (2006 to 2007), Choy Leong planned and developed many new interfaculty research programs, with several of these eventually leading to the establishment of some of NUS’ Research Center of Excellence such as the Mechanobiology Institute. Under his leadership, the department built academic ties with universities in China and India. Choy Leong initiated the Trilateral Research Partnership with Tsinghua and Xiamen Universities which eventually led to a 14 Chinese university-Singapore alliance and the formation of the Xiamen Winter Symposium, as well as the ASEAN Universities Network in Biology.

In recognition of his work, Choy Leong has received awards in Canada, Singapore and China. These include the APICS- Fraser Award (1980) and the Outstanding Alumni Award by Simon Fraser University (2019), amongst many. He also received Nanyang Technological University’s Alumni Achievement Award in 2006. Choy Leong has held numerous international appointments and affiliations and continues to promote international university alliances and scientific and technological collaboration. He also trains teachers and students in Malaysian high schools in support of STEM outreach efforts.