Hogan Wai: "the Institut Pasteur exposed me to new ways of learning and thinking"

Hogan Wai spent 3 months in Paris at the Institut Pasteur as part of the 2025 HKU-Pasteur Research Pole Fellowship Program, joining the Fungal Biology and Pathogenicity Unit, under the supervision of Dr Christophe D’Enfert.

Why did you apply for the HKU-PRP Fellowship?

I applied for the HKU-PRP Fellowship because it gave me a rare opportunity to undertake a fully funded short-term research project of my choosing at a leading scientific organization.

Why did you go to the Institut Pasteur in Paris?

The Institut Pasteur is one of the most prominent institutes in biomedical research, with a unique advantage of being a part of a global network of institutes. Having been a member of one of these other institutes, the HKU-Pasteur Research Pole, it was a chance for me to expand my professional network and connect with other researchers within the Pasteur Network. Furthermore, the Institut Pasteur hosts a wide variety of scientists working on a range of topics. This meant that the opportunity to attend both intra-departmental and cross-departmental seminars offered by the Institut Pasteur exposed me to new ways of learning and thinking.

How did your internship help you with your research project/professional training?

During my PhD, I studied how Staphylococcus strains colonize the skin of people with atopic dermatitis. Building upon this work, my internship looked at the skin microbiome beyond just host-microbe interactions. The skin microbiome is not just colonized by bacteria, with other members such as fungi being important players in the community of microorganisms. By investigating how fungi and bacteria behave when co-cultured, I have gained additional knowledge in mycology and cross-kingdom microbial interactions.

Would you recommend other students to join the fellowship?

Students that are keen on trying their hands in an area of research that complements their existing knowledge and skills would be excellent candidates for this fellowship. If you are also a scientist that has an interest in French culture, such as history and food, then I would highly recommend that you to apply for this fellowship in the coming edition of the programme.

>>> Lean more about the Fellowship Program and apply for the 2026 edition!