On May 9, 2025, Shenzhen University Medical School was honored to host Professor Henry N. C. Wong from the Chinese University of Hong Kong (Shenzhen) as the guest speaker for the 132nd lecture of the Shenzhen Medical Forum.The lecture was chaired by Associate Professor Guo-Kai Liu of Shenzhen University Medical School.Professor Wong’s academic presentation was titled "The Science and Art of Organic Synthesis", and was delivered at Building A7, Shahe Yuan, Lihu Campus.

Professor Henry N. C. Wong is an internationally renowned organic chemist and a distinguished representative of the Woodward School among Chinese scholars. From 1976 to 1978, he conducted postdoctoral research under Nobel Laureate Professor Robert B. Woodward—widely known as the "Father of Modern Organic Synthesis." During his lecture, Professor Wong shared insights into three primary areas of research from his laboratory: (a) the synthesis of non-natural molecules of theoretical interest; (b) the total synthesis of natural and biologically active molecules; and (c) synthetic methodologies. He also introduced recent projects focusing on the synthesis of nanographenes, yardenone, and cross-electrophile coupling reactions.

Professor Wong’s lecture was met with great interest and an enthusiastic response from faculty and students. A lively and engaging Q&A session followed, during which Professor Wongpatiently and thoroughly answered all questions, to the benefit of all attendees. At the close of the event, AssociateProfessor Guo-Kai Liupresented Professor Wongwith the "Shenzhen University Medicine Forum" Honorary Medal on behalf of the Medical School.

Brief introduction of Speakers

Henry N. C. Wong

· Member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences

· Fellow of the World Academy of Sciences for the Advancement of Science in Developing Countries

· Member of The Hong Kong Academy of Sciences

· Emeritus Professor of Chemistry & Research Professor, The Chinese University of Hong Kong

· X.Q. Deng Presidential Chair Professor, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (Shenzhen)

Professor Henry N. C. Wong obtained his B.Sc. degree with First Class Honors from United College, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) in 1973. He was subsequently awarded a Shell Scholarship for postgraduate studies in the United Kingdom and earned his Ph.D. from University College London in 1976. From 1976 to 1978, he carried out postdoctoral research at Harvard University. Following this, he returned to University College London to begin his independent research as a Ramsay Memorial Fellow.

From 1980 to 1982, Professor Wong conducted research at the Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences. He returned to CUHK in 1983, where he has held several key academic positions, including Chairman of the Department of Chemistry (1995–1997), Head of New Asia College (2002–2010 and 2014–2020), Pro-Vice-Chancellor/Vice President for Research (2009–2013), and Dean of Science (2012–2018).

He currently serves as the X.Q. Deng Presidential Chair Professor at The Chinese University of Hong Kong (Shenzhen), and as Emeritus Professor of Chemistry and Research Professor at CUHK. In addition, he is Chairman of the Management Committee of the Shanghai–Hong Kong Joint Laboratory in Chemical Synthesis at the Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Distinguished Long-Term Visiting Professor at the Southern University of Science and Technology in Shenzhen, and honorary or guest professor at many other universities across mainland China.

Professor Wong has received numerous prestigious awards. In 1994, he was conferred a D.Sc. degree by the University of London. He received the Second-Class State Natural Science Award of China in 1997 and was named a Croucher Senior Research Fellow in 1999. He was elected to the Chinese Academy of Sciences in 1999, to The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) in 2004, and to the Hong Kong Academy of Sciences in 2015.

His research interests focus on the synthesis and study of natural and non-natural molecules. He has served on the editorial boards of several international and national scientific journals.