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- March 22, 2007
His lab secret: Never give up
Top chemist from Hong Kong loves his
role at cancer research site
by Nicholas Keung
Immigration/Diversity Reporter
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An
intrinsic interest in science and a working-class upbringing in
a home where television was banned helped steer Michael Siu to a
career as a distinguished chemist in Canada.
Born and raised in Hong Kong, Siu survived the rat race of the
colonial education system to gain entry to the prestigious
University of Hong Kong, one of only three universities in the
densely populated island in the 1970s.
Upon graduating, he pursued a master's degree at the University
of Birmingham in England, then went on to obtain a doctorate in
chemistry at Halifax's Dalhousie University.
"There are many more opportunities in Canada," says the
recipient of the 2007 New Pioneers Science and Technology Award
about his decision to remain here.
"At that time there weren't really a lot of research
opportunities in Hong Kong because it didn't have the funding
infrastructure it has today."
After finishing at Dalhousie in 1981, Siu was hired as a
research associate by the National Research Council in Ottawa,
where he rose through the ranks before becoming a chemistry
professor at York University.
"I always wanted to be an academic scholar," says Siu, 53, who
is now director of the Centre for Research in Mass Spectrometry
established at York in 2000.
"Research opportunities are boundless and it gives you the
freedom to be creative.
"And you get to interact with younger people.
"It's a very rewarding experience."
Mass spectrometry, in shorthand, involves measuring the
mass-to-charge ratio of ions to analyze a compound.
Siu's focus is on the use of mass spectrometry for the early
diagnosis and prognosis of endometrial cancer, the most
prevalent form of uterine cancer.
The technology's purpose is to discover and identify the
"biomarkers" of the cancer.
Siu considers himself fortunate because scientific knowledge is
universal and easily transported to another country, unlike the
specialties of many immigrants who find it more difficult to fit
into Canada's employment market.
Of the many recognitions he has received – last year's Maxxam
Award from the Canadian Society for Chemistry, for example – Siu
says his New Pioneers award is special because it honours not
only professional achievement, but also his contributions to
this country as an immigrant.
His personal watchword for success is "perseverance."
"Don't give up," he says.
"Those who try hardest tend to be luckiest."
