Charlie Fan
LKS Faculty of Medicine
MPhil 2025
Charlie Fan (MPhil 2025) graduated from the LKS Faculty of Medicine, with a research specialising in developmental paediatrics. Before studying at HKU, she worked as an occupational therapist in a local hospital for two years, supporting patients with acquired brain injuries. This inspired her to pursue her MPhil degree in neuroscience and paediatrics, with a focus on childhood stroke.
Throughout her studies, Charlie has presented at various international conferences; ranging from Guangzhou, Taiwan, Glasgow, and Canada. Alongside her supervisor, she helped establish Hong Kong’s first transcranial magnetic stimulation program for children with brain injuries, offering a non-invasive and safe treatment option for young patients.
Charlie is now continuing her research as a PhD candidate at HKU, further researching neurorehabilitation for children with brain injuries.
Most valuable lesson from uni?
As a clinician trained in undergraduate studies, the most valuable lesson I learned was cultivating a researcher’s mindset - questioning assumptions, embracing iterative learning, and seeing gaps in knowledge as opportunities. This shift, though challenging, was made possible by my mentors and peers, who taught me that clinical expertise and scientific curiosity aren’t opposing forces, but complementary strengths.
Quote that helped you persevere through challenges?
My mantra from the movie 3 Idiots, 'Pursue excellence, success will follow', guided my transition from clinician to researcher. When experiments failed or clinical-research balance felt impossible, it reminded me to trust the process. This mindset transformed setbacks into learning, perfectionism into progress, and ultimately shaped how I approach both medicine and science.
If you could go back and give your freshman self one piece of advice, what would it be?
“The future is now.” 'Later' is an illusion—you're always building the future in the present. So start where you are, use what you have, and trust that imperfect action beats perfect hesitation."