Meet Chris Hoi Houng Chan
After finishing his chemical engineering PhD in fluid dynamic at Swansea University, Chris Chan went on to study a different sort of fluid… blood! We spoke to Chris about his work with CCRG’s ICETlab and complex blood flow systems in artificial hearts.
Chris, what led you to pursue a career in research?
I was born and grew up in Sabah, Malaysia, about a 90-minute ferry trip from Brunei. At the time, Malaysia was an oil rich country, so I thought a career as a petroleum engineer would offer me the best salary! However after I finished my PhD in chemical engineering, where I investigated the fluid dynamic of engine oils, there was a financial recession including a big financial crisis in the industry and there were no job opportunities. So much for that salary! Fortunately, one of my PhD examiners saw my potential and offer, but in a different field. Instead of research in fluid dynamics of engine oils (engineering fluid), my first job was to understand the fluid dynamics of complex blood flows in artificial hearts... or biological fluid. I never would have thought blood was so much more complex and interesting than engine oils.
What do you love most about being involved in science and research?
I love being able to see the world and interact with people from many different backgrounds and cultures, while still making discoveries and advancements in novel medical devices every day. It’s very rewarding, getting to travel the world, meet new people, discover new things. Over the past 12 years I have worked in the UK, USA and Australia, been to countless conferences, meet so many inspiring people, while still being able to learn more about novel medical devices and blood analysis techniques.
What are some of the greatest challenges?
One of the greatest challenges is also one of the most rewarding. CCRG is a very busy and demanding research environment, yet the multidiscipline collaborations we are able to have are so rewarding. In any one day I will work with engineers, scientists, biologist, clinicians and nurses. I’ve been involved with not just benchtop blood testing experiments, but also more complex experiments in the ICETlab.
Do you have a favourite travel destination or place where you have worked?
So far, I think Iceland is one of my favourite countries to visit. You can go bathing in warm water the blue lagoon with icy beer and therapeutic mud on the face, surrounding by snow white mountains and the sky coloured with northern lights.
Do you have any advice for young researchers, or those looking to get into the field?
I think the greatest career advice I can offer is that, due to the demanding workload of medical research, you need to enjoy what you do, and also enjoy your time with your work colleagues, making time to establish genuine connections.