CEO &
Scientific Co-Founder
Prof. Ronald Li is a co-founder of Novoheart, and has been serving as the CEO since 2016. He is concurrently Director of Ming-Wai Lau Centre for Reparative Medicine, HK node, Karolinska Institutet (KI), Sweden. Prof. Li has been an advocate of stem cell technology for many years, starting from his career as Assistant Professor of Cardiology, and Cellular and Molecular Medicine at the Johns Hopkins University (JHU) School of Medicine. He founded and led the Human Embryonic Stem Cell Consortium when he was recruited in 2005 to become a tenured Associate Professor at the University of California, Davis, in light of state’s USD3-billion stem cell initiative Proposition 71. Prof. Li also co-directed the Section of Cardiovascular Cell & Tissue Engineering in Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai with Prof. Kevin Costa. Prof. Li has received multiple accolades and recognitions during his career, including the Spirit of Hong Kong Innovating for Good Award by the South China Morning Post (2015), the Top Young Faculty Award (2002, 2004), the Top Prize for the Young Investigator Basic Research (2001) and Top Postdoctoral Fellow Helen Taussig Award (2001) of JHU School of Medicine, Young Investigator Award 1st Prize from the Heart Rhythm Society (2002), and the Career Development Award from the Cardiac Arrhythmias Research & Education Foundation (2001). Prof. Li graduated with his B.S. with honors in Biotechnology from University of Waterloo, Ontario, on Dean’s List and his Ph.D. in Cardiology/Physiology at the University of Toronto.
Prof. Costa is one of the scientific co-founders of Novoheart, and has served as the CSO since 2017. He is Director of Cardiovascular Cell and Tissue Engineering at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City, and was previously trained at the Johns Hopkins University and on the faculty as Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering at Columbia University. As a "blue-blood" biomedical engineering (BME) expert (B.S. and M.S. in BME from Boston University, Ph.D. in BME from UC San Diego, and postdocs in BME from JHU and Washington University) in cell and tissue biomechanics and cardiac tissue engineering, he has developed one of the first engineered cardiac tissue systems and is an inventor of several cardiac tissue engineering technologies. Since 2009, he has been working with Prof. Ronald Li to translate such systems into human cells. Prof. Costa has received research funding from the Whitaker Foundation, the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH; NHLBI, NIBIB, and NIGMS). He was also a recipient of the prestigious Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Award from the NSF.
Dr. Camie Chan joined Novoheart Hong Kong as the Chief Operating Officer in 2016, after having served as the Deputy Director of the Faculty of Medicine Core Facility at HKU, a founding member of the Management Committee of the Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine Consortium (SCRMC), and Assistant Professor in the Department of Anatomy between 2010 and 2016. She has had extensive experience managing laboratory operations in her capacity at HKU, and her prior career as Assistant Professor at the University of California, Davis, and Assistant Investigator at the Shriners Hospital for Children. Dr. Chan is also a co-inventor of technology allowing mass production of human ventricular heart cells from pluripotent stem cells.
Dr. Chan graduated with her B.Sc. with honors at the University of Waterloo and subsequently obtained her M.Sc. degree in Medical Sciences and Ph.D. degree in Immunology at the University of Toronto, Canada. She then completed her postdoctoral training at the Sydney Kimmel Cancer Research Center at Johns Hopkins University. She has garnered numerous awards in her career, including the prestigious National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Developmental Research Grant Award.
Dr. Camie Chan joined Novoheart Hong Kong as the Chief Operating Officer in 2016, after having served as the Deputy Director of the Faculty of Medicine Core Facility at HKU, a founding member of the Management Committee of the Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine Consortium (SCRMC), and Assistant Professor in the Department of Anatomy between 2010 and 2016. She has had extensive experience managing laboratory operations in her capacity at HKU, and her prior career as Assistant Professor at the University of California, Davis, and Assistant Investigator at the Shriners Hospital for Children. Dr. Chan is also a co-inventor of technology allowing mass production of human ventricular heart cells from pluripotent stem cells.
Dr. Chan graduated with her B.Sc. with honors at the University of Waterloo and subsequently obtained her M.Sc. degree in Medical Sciences and Ph.D. degree in Immunology at the University of Toronto, Canada. She then completed her postdoctoral training at the Sydney Kimmel Cancer Research Center at Johns Hopkins University. She has garnered numerous awards in her career, including the prestigious National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Developmental Research Grant Award.
Mr. Chang is a seasoned investor who has lately become focused on start-ups. Mr. Chang started his career with Lippo Securities Limited in 1996 and became a Director of Grand International Holdings Limited in 1999, which was engaged in general investments. During the period from 2007 to 2009, he was a Director and Responsible Officer for Astrum Capital Management Limited carrying out regulated activities under the Securities and Futures Ordinance (“SFO”, Cap. 571, Laws of Hong Kong) and with Murtsa Capital Partners Limited as well. During the period from 2007 to 2012, he was also a compliance consultant for Astrum Capital Management Limited. As co-founder and Managing Director of Zebra Strategic Outsource Solution, he has over 16 years of experience in recruitment process outsourcing, executive search as well as and private investment management. In April 2013, he successfully brought Zebra Strategic Holdings Limited which offers holistic HR solutions to IPO on the HK GEM board (Stock Code: 8260) and was re-designated as and is currently a Non-Executive Director with the company. He is currently a Director and Responsible Officer of Dakin Financial Group, a corporation licensed to carry out type 1, 2 & 9 regulated activities under the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Ordinance.
As a key founder and visionary for Grand Power Logistics Group Inc. (a company previously listed on the TSXV before its privatization in 2016) and Baoshinn International Express Ltd., Mr. Chiu brings in-depth corporate development and growth experience to the Company's board of directors. He received his education in Oxford University, England, and Beijing University, and began his career in Australia. He has a diversified background in a wide range of industries with roles in finance, audit, real estate, merchandise trading and travel, as well as logistics.
Prof. Ronald Li is a co-founder of Novoheart, and has been serving as the CEO since 2016. He is concurrently Director of Ming-Wai Lau Centre for Reparative Medicine, HK node, Karolinska Institutet (KI), Sweden. Prof. Li has been an advocate of stem cell technology for many years, starting from his career as Assistant Professor of Cardiology, and Cellular and Molecular Medicine at the Johns Hopkins University (JHU) School of Medicine. He founded and led the Human Embryonic Stem Cell Consortium when he was recruited in 2005 to become a tenured Associate Professor at the University of California, Davis, in light of state’s USD3-billion stem cell initiative Proposition 71. Prof. Li also co-directed the Section of Cardiovascular Cell & Tissue Engineering in Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai with Prof. Kevin Costa. Prof. Li has received multiple accolades and recognitions during his career, including the Spirit of Hong Kong Innovating for Good Award by the South China Morning Post (2015), the Top Young Faculty Award (2002, 2004), the Top Prize for the Young Investigator Basic Research (2001) and Top Postdoctoral Fellow Helen Taussig Award (2001) of JHU School of Medicine, Young Investigator Award 1st Prize from the Heart Rhythm Society (2002), and the Career Development Award from the Cardiac Arrhythmias Research & Education Foundation (2001). Prof. Li graduated with his B.S. with honors in Biotechnology from University of Waterloo, Ontario, on Dean’s List and his Ph.D. in Cardiology/Physiology at the University of Toronto.
As a 30-year technology industry veteran, Mr. Ma was the CEO of Hong Kong Science & Technology Parks before he retired in July 2016. He held senior executive positions within the information and communications technology sector. His past roles include president for Asia-Pacific at British Telecom, vice-president for Asia at the global telecom solutions sector of Motorola, executive director of Hong Kong Telecommunications – subsequently called Cable & Wireless HKT – and managing director of Hong Kong Telecom CSL. Ma holds an MBA from the University of Toronto and is a fellow member of both the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, UK and the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, UK. He is also a Certified Management Accountant of Canada.
Mr. Topham was an audit partner leading KPMG's Technology Group in the Vancouver office for 20 years, where he worked with many fast growing public companies and was involved in many mergers and acquisitions as well as initial public offering transactions in Canada, the US and Europe. Mr. Topham founded Social Venture Partners Vancouver in 2001 with a mission to strengthen the organizational capacity of innovative non-profits serving children in-need and youth at-risk. It has funded several million dollars and provided thousands of hours of executive time mentoring these local non-profits.
Since retiring at KPMG 9 years ago, Mr. Topham has served as a director on the board of several public and private technology companies, including, most recently, a 6 year tenure on the board of directors of a public telecom company - Norsat International. He is a Certified Professional Accountant and has a Bachelor of Commerce degree with Honours from the University of Saskatchewan graduating as the most distinguished graduate in the College of Commerce. He is a founder of the BC Technology Industry Association that represents the technology industry in British Columbia, and also served as a member of its board of directors for 9 years. For his career achievements in the profession and community, Mr. Topham was awarded the designation of Fellow Chartered Public Accountant from the Chartered Public Accountants of British Columbia, as well as a lifetime achievement award from the BC Technology Industry Association.
As the President of the global toy manufacturer May Cheong Group and a successful entrepreneur with over 40 years’ experience in the industry, Dr Ngan brings invaluable corporate development and growth experience to the Company's board of directors. She has successfully led May Cheong to develop its own brand and designs, and transformed the company into a global brand.
Dr Ngan has served in Government committees and community organisations, including Honorary President of the Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong, Vice Chairman and Honorary President of the Hong Kong Federation of Women, Member of Consultative Committee on Economic and Trade Co-operation between Hong Kong and the Mainland, HKSAR Government Scholarship Fund Steering Committee, the Occupational Deafness Compensation Board, the Hong Kong Export Credit Insurance Corporation Advisory Board, the Minimum Wages Commission, and the Council Member of Hong Kong Productivity Council. Her outstanding achievements have won her many honours including a Medal of Honour and appointment as a Justice of the Peace by the HKSAR Government, the Hong Kong Young Industrialist Award (1996), the Enterprise Trophy of the Hong Kong Business Awards (1998), The Hong Kong Toy Industry Outstanding Achievement Award 2015, Excellent Business Woman of the Outstanding Business Women Award 2016, Honorary Fellowship of the Vocational Training Council and the Professional Validation Council of Hong Kong Industries, and Honorary Doctorate of Business Administration by the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU). Dr Ngan is now a member of the PolyU Court and a Fellow of PolyU.
As a seasoned entrepreneur, Mr. Roger Ngan brings to the Company his extensive expertise and over 20 years of experience in sales, marketing, manufacturing as well as product and business development. Mr Ngan graduated from the University of Southern California with a Bachelor of Business Administration. Mr Ngan was the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Xellera Therapeutics Limited, and prior to joining Xellera, he has been the CEO of the May Cheong Group, a global toy enterprise headquartered in HK with offices in USA, France and Mainland China. Under his leadership the enterprise has expanded through multiple acquisitions with sales reaching over 110 countries worldwide, and has forged numerous partnerships around the world including with FIFA and the China National Space Administration (CNSA).
Mr Ngan is the winner of the 2009 Young Industrialist Award of Hong Kong, a Fellow of the Professional Validation Council of Hong Kong Industries (2018), and has served on the board or committee of trade and non-governmental organizations including as Vice President of the Hong Kong Toys Manufacturers Association, Executive Vice-President of the Asian Foundation for the Prevention of Blindness (AFPB), Chairman of the Hong Kong Blind Sports Federation (2018-19), Vice President of the Centum Charitas Foundation, Board member of Yan Chai Hospital, Hong Kong (2003-07), Committee member of the Hong Kong Exporters’ Association, and an Honorary Member on the Hong Kong Baptist University Court.
Prof. Khine, a scientific co-founder of Novoheart and a leading expert in microfluidic platforms, is Director of the Bio-Entrepreneurial Program at UC Irvine. She received her B.S. and M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from UC Berkeley and Ph.D. in Bioengineering from UC Berkeley and UC San Francisco. Following her graduation she became an Assistant & Founding Professor at UC Merced. She is currently a Professor of Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, and the Director of Faculty Innovation, at the Henry Samueli School of Engineering, UC Irvine. Prof. Khine was the Scientific Founder of Fluxion Biosciences and Shrink Nanotechnologies, among others. She was named one of Forbes “10 Revolutionaries” in 2009 and by Fast Company Magazine as one of the “100 Most Creative People in Business” in 2011. Prof. Khine has also been recognized as “Top 35 Innovators under 35 in the world” by MIT Technology Review. She was awarded the NIH New Innovator's Award, was named a finalist in the World Technology Awards for Materials, and by Marie-Claire magazine as “Women on Top: Top Scientist”. Prof. Khine was recently named a Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors and she is also a fellow of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering.
Prof. Tomaselli is currently the Marilyn & Stanley M. Katz Dean of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, and also the Executive Vice President and Chief Academic Officer of Montefiore Medicine. Prior to this he was the Michel Mirowski M.D. Professor of Cardiology and Professor of Medicine and Cellular and Molecular Medicine at the Johns Hopkins University. He also served as Chief of Cardiology and co-director of the Johns Hopkins Heart and Vascular Institute, and was Co-Director of the Donald W. Reynolds Cardiovascular Clinical Research Center (2003 to 2011), which was founded in 2003 with the goal of understanding the causes of sudden cardiac death and developing new therapies. He served as the President of the American Heart Association, and was also past president of the Cardiac Electrophysiology Society.
Prof. Tung is Professor and Immediate Past Director of the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He graduated with his B.S, M.S. and Ph.D. at MIT. His research examines how electrical waves propagate in heart cells grown in a dish as a model system to study mechanisms for cardiac arrhythmias (otherwise known as irregular heartbeats).