The founder of WomenX Biotech, a start-up seeking to solve for female reproductive diseases, shares her experiences as a woman in science and a FemTech founder, why early detection of women’s cancers is so important and how she hopes to help
The complexities of love. The challenges of disease. The uncertainty of the future. These were all things that weighed on Dr Pui-Wah Choi’s mind from a very young age. “Why is it so difficult for myself and others to find happiness?” she pondered. Her dream was to bring happiness to all.
“When I was three years old, my father believed I was mute, because I never spoke,” she recalls. It was later discovered that she was capable of speech, but this led those around her to later wonder whether she had autism, as by primary six [around age 12] she seldom spoke, was unhappy and introverted, and lacked friends. That was until she encountered the wonders of science.
“My journey with science was akin to a romantic tale,” says Choi. “Throughout my secondary school years, I delved deep into the realms of biology, physics and chemistry. Science became my guiding light, illuminating the path to understanding the world and equipping me with the tools to solve even the most intricate problems.”
"Science became my guiding light, illuminating the path to understanding the world and equipping me with the tools to solve even the most intricate problems”
Science offered a sense of belonging, as Choi went on to participate in science competitions where she represented Hong Kong on a national level. It was here that she formed friendships with individuals who had a similar fascination with science, discovering companionship and the happiness she craved.
But there was still the question of bringing happiness to others. She would discover how to achieve this as she went on to pursue science at university, where she specialised in biochemistry, completing her bachelor’s degree and PhD at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, and a postdoctoral fellowship at Harvard Medical School, delving into the underlying causes of female cancer.
“Science opened doors to the realm of disease treatment, and suddenly the fear that once consumed me began to dissipate. I acquired the knowledge necessary to seek the best treatments for family members when they fell ill, confronting the sadness brought about by diseases,” she says. “Science not only brings joy to my own life, but also to the lives of those around me.”
