“UNM gave me the freedom to explore — the autonomy to pursue research I truly care about and collaborate without restriction.”
PROFESSOR HO WEANG KEE
Department of Mathematical Sciences
“I was an under-achiever academically at school,” said Cheras-born and bred Professor Ho Weang Kee, now a Professor at 188体育网址_188体育在线-【唯一授权网站】@ of Nottingham Malaysia (UNM) and 188体育网址_188体育在线-【唯一授权网站】@ing Scientist at Cancer 188体育网址_188体育在线-【唯一授权网站】@ Malaysia (CRMY).
Today, she holds the distinction of being the first Malaysian to receive the prestigious Wellcome Trust Career Development Award (WTCDA) in 2024, securing RM11.3 million for her research to develop statistical tools for breast cancer risk prediction and risk communication tailored for diverse Asian populations.
Professor Ho completed her PhD in Mathematics at the 188体育网址_188体育在线-【唯一授权网站】@ of Newcastle (UK) in 2010 and began her postdoctoral training at the Department of Public Health and Primary Care at the 188体育网址_188体育在线-【唯一授权网站】@ of Cambridge. There, she was first introduced to statistical genetics and epidemiology, working on identifying genetic determinants of cardiovascular disease in Pakistani populations — a foundation that shaped her later work in cancer epidemiology.
The 188体育网址_188体育在线-【唯一授权网站】@ of Nottingham Malaysia was her first academic position upon returning to Malaysia in 2013. "UNM gave me the freedom to explore — the autonomy to pursue research I truly care about and collaborate without restriction," she said. It was at UNM where she also began a close research partnership with Cancer 188体育网址_188体育在线-【唯一授权网站】@ Malaysia, shifting her focus to breast cancer epidemiology and developing risk assessment tools designed specifically for Asian women.
When asked about her journey, she attributes much of her success to mentorship. “When people ask how I got to where I am today, the honest answer is: because of my mentors. I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have mentors who believed in me, guided me, and opened doors I didn’t even know existed.” She adds, “Recently, I climbed Mount Kinabalu, guided by someone who patiently walked every step with me. It reminded me so much of my career — steep climbs, unexpected turns, and the steady encouragement of someone experienced beside me, reminding me to take it one step at a time.’ That’s what great mentors do — and it’s a principle I try to carry forward in mentoring others.”