UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health Inaugural Symposium | Hybrid event: Kennedy Lecture Theatre | UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health & Online via Zoom
Cultural Experiences
You are warmly welcomed to attend the inaugural symposium of Professor Haiyan Zhou.
This is a
hybrid event
held in the
Kennedy Lecture Theatre , UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health & online via Zoom.
Link to join via Zoom:
https://ucl.zoom.us/j/91236498503
Programme:
3.30pm – 4.00pm Tea/coffee on the Balcony
4.00pm - 5.00pm
Professor Haiyan Zhou, Professor of Genetic Medicine
Title:
‘
‘
From East to West, Bedside to Bench: A Journey of Transforming Genetic Code into Therapeutic Hope
’
5.00pm - 6.00pm Drinks reception in the Winter Garden
RSVP Reserve a place by registering via Eventbrite.
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Professor Haiyan Zhou
Professor of Genetic Medicine
‘
From East to West, Bedside to Bench: A Journey of Transforming Genetic Code into Therapeutic Hope
’
Abstract
In this inaugural lecture, I will share my journey from a clinician in China to pioneering RNA therapy for rare diseases at UCL. Trained as a medical doctor and specialized in Dermatology, I transitioned to research after completing my PhD, moving to Switzerland and later to the UK, where I shifted my focus from medical genetics to RNA therapeutics. Over the past decade, I have successfully established and expanded the RNA therapy programme at UCL, applying these innovative approaches to many disease areas.
This lecture will highlight my scientific contributions, from the early year medical genetic studies to the recent development of novel RNA-based therapies and their translation into clinical applications. However, it will also delve into the personal and professional challenges I faced along the way—overcoming language barriers, adapting to new cultures, navigating career transitions, and balancing personal life and work as an ambitious woman in a demanding field. Through these experiences, I have learned the importance of resilience, perseverance, and never giving up, even when the path seemed uncertain or difficult.
My journey is a testament to the power of determination and the belief that challenges, no matter how daunting, can be overcome with hard work, support, and a clear vision. I hope my story will inspire others to pursue their passions, embrace challenges, and contribute to advancing science and medicine for the benefit of patients worldwide. Above all, I want to convey the message: never give up—on your dreams, your goals, or your ability to make a difference.
Biography
Professor Zhou received an MD & PhD degree from Peking Union Medical College, completed her medical training in clinical medicine and specialized in dermatology. She then switched her career path to medical research on experimental RNA therapy after moving to the UK in 2004. She worked as a postdoc in Professor Francesco Muntoni’s lab at Imperial College London before moving to UCL. Haiyan established her own research lab on RNA therapy at ICH in 2018 as a Lecturer, then was promoted to Associate Professor in 2021 and Professor in 2024. She leads the RNA Therapy Programme at GOSICH, serves as the Deputy Theme Lead of the Novel Therapy Theme of NIHR GOSH BRC, chairs the Genomics England Therapeutic Innovation and Trials research domain (TInt) and holds the prestigious UK Harrington Rare Disease Scholar award since 2021. In 2023 Prof Zhou was awarded a UKRI/NIHR award to establish the UK Platform of Nucleic Acid Therapy for Rare Disease – UPNAT as the Director. The consortium is consolidating investigators and researchers across the UK, to deliver research activities in RNA therapies and foster national and international collaborations to expedite the clinical translation of RNA therapies in rare diseases.
Professor Zhou also takes a leadership in higher education teaching, as the Director of MSc Personal Medicine and Novel Therapies Programme and has successfully established two MSc modules at UCL. Prof Zhou lives in London with her husband and two sons.
In the Chair:
Professor Helen Cross, Director and Professor of Child Health, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health.
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RSVP Reserve a place by registering via Eventbrite.
Information Source: UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health | eventbrite