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Professor Tatia Lee, Chair Professor of Psychological Science and Clinical Psychology and May Professor in Neuropsychology at the University of Hong Kong (HKU), has been elected as a Fellow of The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) for her outstanding contribution to the advancement of science.

Established in 1983 as a programme unit of UNESCO, TWAS aims to promote scientific capacity and excellence for sustainable development in developing countries. With over 1,400 elected fellows, TWAS represents some of the world's most distinguished scientists from 108 countries, including 13 Nobel laureates. Forty-seven new Fellows were elected, with their terms effective starting on January 1, 2024.  Among them is Nobel laureate in Physics (2021) Professor Giorgio Parisi. Professor Lee was elected in the field of Social & Economic Sciences and is the only awardee from Hong Kong.

Professor Tatia Lee is a registered clinical psychologist and a certified clinical neuropsychologist. Her research spans the frontiers of neuropsychology and human neuroscience, focusing on the neuroplastic basis of neurocognitive and affective processes underpinning normal and pathological psychological functions. She is the Director of the Laboratory of Neuropsychology and Human Neuroscience at the Department of Psychology, and the Director of the State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, at the University. Professor Lee also serves as an associate editor and editorial board member for influential journals in the fields of clinical psychology, neuropsychology, and human neuroscience. Additionally, she is the Founding Chair of the Clinical Neuropsychological Society under the Chinese Cognitive Science Society of China.

Professor Lee has achieved significant international and national recognition for her outstanding contributions to the advancement of science. She has been honoured with multiple awards for her research and professional excellence, including the University of Alberta Alumni Horizon Award, Fulbright fellowship, the China State Scientific and Technology Progress National Award, China Education Bureau’s Research Output Prize, and the Hong Kong Research Grant Council Humanities and Social Sciences Prestigious Fellowship.

Additionally, she has been an elected fellow of esteemed international societies, including the UK Academy of Social Sciences, Association for Psychological Science, and American Psychological Association (Society of Clinical Psychology and Society of Clinical Neuropsychology).

“Her contribution to the knowledge of the role of the pons in affective processing offers critical insight into the neural underpinnings of mood disorders. Together with her successful application of neuropsychological data to model cognitive and psychological processes for functional prediction, timely intervention for neurodegenerative and affective disorders are accomplishable goals,” as stated by TWAS when introducing Professor Lee for the award.

"I am grateful for my nomination, which acknowledges the significance of my contributions to academic research and education. There is no more precious wealth than knowledge, for it enlightens the mind and permanently enriches the soul of its holder. I will continue my tireless pursuit of knowledge and scientific advancement for the betterment of human life," said Professor Lee.

For more information about Professor Lee’s research, please visit: https://neurotlee.hku.hk/

For the list of 47 new Fellows elected to TWAS, please visit: https://twas.org/article/47-new-fellows-elected-twas

Media enquiries:
Communication and Public Affairs Office, HKU
Ms Melanie Wan (Tel: 2859 2600 / Email: melwkwan@hku.hk)
Ms Jaymee Ng (Tel: 3910 3612 / Email: ngjaymee@hku.hk)
Mr Kenneth Choi (Tel: 2859 2607 / Email: khkchoi@hku.hk)