Nancy Y. Ip

Ip’s major research interests are in neural development and function as well as drug discovery for neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease. She is well-known for her seminal discoveries in the biology of neurotrophic factors, which are proteins that promote the survival, development, and maintenance of neurons in the nervous   system. She has also made important contributions towards understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying brain development and synaptic plasticity, and their dysregulation in neurological disorders. Furthermore, she has played a significant role in the development of biotechnology in Hong Kong, and has launched prominent collaborations with major pharmaceutical companies, thus placing The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) on the map for cutting-edge R&D in molecular neuroscience.