{
  "id": 329331,
  "title": "CUHK chief Dennis Lo ‘calm’ about talk of Nobel Prize for groundbreaking test",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/09/cuhk-chief-dennis-lo-calm-about-talk-of-nobel-prize-for",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-08-09T01:00:09.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "South China Morning Post - Hong Kong",
    "slug": "south-china-morning-post-hong-kong",
    "url": "https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/3363408/cuhk-chief-dennis-lo-calm-about-talk-nobel-prize-groundbreaking-test"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Professor Dennis Lo Yuk-ming, the vice-chancellor and president of the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), remains composed when discussing the possibility of winning a Nobel Prize. In an exclusive interview with the South China Morning Post, Lo expressed his calm disposition and credited his achievements to his team, rather than individual effort. The molecular geneticist is widely recognized as a potential Nobel laureate, but he downplayed the speculation, emphasizing that awards are beyond one's control. Lo's work, which has already garnered prestigious accolades such as the Lasker Award and the Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences, continues to benefit over 100 million pregnant women worldwide through his non-invasive prenatal testing invention. The CUHK president, who is focused on neuroscience and life science technology, unveiled his university's latest five-year plan, highlighting plans to build a new 300,000 sq ft medical faculty building in Pak Shek Kok. The facility will house a neuroscience research center, accommodating around 850 staff members and researchers. Lo stated that neuroscience is crucial for the 21st century, citing diseases like Alzheimer's as significant health threats. While acknowledging the challenges of managing the hospital's debt, including a HK$4 billion government loan, Lo expressed pride in the hospital's progress and its role as a bridge between public and private healthcare services.",
  "summary": "Professor Dennis Lo Yuk-ming, vice-chancellor and president of the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), is a world-renowned molecular geneticist widely regarded as the Hongkonger closest to winning a Nobel Prize, but he maintains “a calm attitude” about it. In a wide-ranging exclusive interview with the South China Morning Post, Lo appeared dispassionate about whether he would receive the…",
  "key_points": [
    "Professor Dennis Lo remains calm about Nobel Prize speculation.",
    "Lo's work benefits 100 million pregnant women via non-invasive testing.",
    "CUHK president unveils 5-year plan for new medical faculty building."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Lo's calm demeanor about Nobel speculation reflects his focus on the broader impact of his work, which has already earned prestigious awards and improved prenatal care for millions of women.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "South China Morning Post",
        "title": "CUHK chief Dennis Lo ‘calm’ about talk of Nobel Prize for groundbreaking test",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/09/cuhk-chief-dennis-lo-calm-about-talk-of-nobel-prize-for-329937",
        "published": "2026-08-09T01:00:09.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}