Professor Joseph J.Y. Sung is a world-renowned gastroenterologist and distinguished medical academic leader. He currently serves as Distinguished University Professor, Senior Vice President (Health & Life Sciences), and Dean of Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, positions he has held since April 2021. Previously, he served as the Vice-Chancellor and President of The Chinese University of Hong Kong from 2010 to 2017, where he led the institution through significant academic transition from the English 3-2-2-3 system to the current 3-3-4 system. Professor Sung received his medical degree (MB BS) from The University of Hong Kong in 1983, followed by a PhD in biomedical sciences from the University of Calgary and an MD from The Chinese University of Hong Kong, establishing a formidable foundation for his distinguished career in medical research and academic leadership.
Professor Sung's groundbreaking research has fundamentally transformed gastroenterological practice worldwide, most notably through his seminal work proving the causal relationship between Helicobacter pylori and peptic ulcer diseases. He pioneered the one-week antibiotic treatment regimen that cures H. pylori infection and successfully treats peptic ulcers while minimizing relapse, replacing decades of ineffective acid-suppression therapy. His innovative endoscopic procedures for ulcer bleeding significantly reduced the need for surgical intervention, saving countless patients from major operations. Professor Sung also led groundbreaking research on colorectal cancer screening in the Asia-Pacific region, developing evidence-based approaches that have been widely adopted across the region. His work has been recognized with prestigious awards including the Marshall and Warren Lecture Award in 2009, cementing his status as a transformative figure in gastrointestinal medicine.
Beyond his direct research contributions, Professor Sung has profoundly shaped medical education and research infrastructure across Asia, serving as Chair of the Worldwide Universities Network from 2016-2017 and mentoring generations of physicians and researchers. He has authored over 1,000 scientific articles and edited numerous medical textbooks, including contributions to the Oxford Textbook of Medicine and Yamada's Textbook of Gastroenterology, establishing himself as a leading voice in medical literature. Professor Sung has been consistently recognized as a Highly Cited Researcher by Clarivate Analytics from 2018 to 2024, reflecting the enduring impact of his scholarly work. Currently, his research portfolio extends into cutting-edge investigations of the gut microbiome and the application of artificial intelligence in clinical medicine, demonstrating his continued commitment to advancing medical science through innovative approaches that address evolving healthcare challenges.
