Name: Professor Ts Dr Mai Chun Wai
Cohort: BP105
Current Role: Professor & Deputy Director, Research Strategy & Innovation; Head, Centre for Cancer and Stem Cell Research
Institution: IMU University
Location: Malaysia
For Professor Ts Dr Mai Chun Wai, the journey from student to research leader was never about titles alone. It was shaped by curiosity, persistence, and a firm belief that science must ultimately serve people.
A proud IMU alumnus, Prof Mai completed his Bachelor of Pharmacy (Hons) and later his PhD in Medical and Health Sciences at IMU. At a time when higher education options in Malaysia were far more limited, he made a deliberate choice to pursue his studies at IMU, a decision that would lay the foundation for a lifelong commitment to research, mentorship, and academic leadership.
After graduating, Prof Mai began his professional career as a hospital pharmacist in Sabah. While fulfilling, the experience sparked a turning point. He realised that he wanted to do more to improve patients’ long-term outcomes, prompting deeper questions about disease mechanisms, life expectancy, and quality of life. That reflection led him back to IMU, this time as a sponsored academic trainee pursuing doctoral research.
Journey at IMU
Prof Mai’s academic trajectory at IMU was shaped by strong institutional support and transformative mentorship. A defining influence during this period was Professor Peter Pook, then Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), who recognised the importance of nurturing young researchers and helped Prof Mai identify the right supervisors, research direction, and opportunities.
Under this guidance, Prof Mai embarked on research in cell and cancer biology, focusing on how the immune system could be harnessed to fight cancer in less toxic and more holistic ways. At the time, cancer immunotherapy was still an emerging field. “Back then, hardly anyone talked about cancer immunity,” he reflected. “Those early years shaped how I think about research.”
IMU’s support extended beyond conventional pathways. Prof Mai completed part of his PhD through a six-month attachment at the University of Strathclyde in the United Kingdom, an arrangement unprecedented at the time and fully supported by IMU. This was followed by further international research fellowships in the UK and later China, broadening his perspective on global research ecosystems and collaborative science.
Achievements Post-IMU
Today, Prof Mai serves as Professor and Deputy Director of Research Strategy & Innovation at IMU and Head of the Centre for Cancer and Stem Cell Research under the Institute for Research, Development and Innovation (IRDI).
His research focuses on the complex relationship between immune systems, stem cells, and cancer, particularly how cancers evade immune responses and how these mechanisms can be reversed. A key milestone in this journey is the establishment of IMU’s AXL Advanced Cell Laboratory, a multi-million-ringgit, industry-supported facility dedicated to advanced cell and stem cell research. Rare for a private university in Malaysia, the laboratory reflects his belief that academia–industry collaboration is essential for translational impact.
“This lab didn’t happen overnight,” he noted. “It grew from strategic partnerships and years of work in immunology, stem cell biology, and cancer models.”
Leadership Beyond IMU
In 2025, Prof Mai reached a historic milestone when he was appointed Chairperson of the Young Scientist Network – Academy of Sciences Malaysia (YSN-ASM). He is the first academic from a private university to hold this role, an appointment that also places him on the National Science Council, chaired by the Prime Minister.
For Prof Mai, leadership is not about prestige but responsibility. A strong advocate for research integrity and responsible conduct of research, he has led national training programmes addressing ethics, data integrity, and good scientific practice. “Science only progresses when people trust it,” he emphasised.
Impact on Society
Prof Mai’s work aligns closely with IMU’s mission to advance healthcare through ethical, impactful research. By championing immunology, stem cell innovation, and capacity building, he continues to shape research culture at both institutional and national levels ensuring that scientific advancement remains credible, inclusive, and socially relevant.
Advice to the Next Generation
When asked what advice he would offer aspiring researchers, Prof Mai is unequivocal:
“Do good science. Find a good mentor. Be ethical. Be patient. This path is not for everyone, but if you are passionate, it is worth it.”
Through his research, leadership, and commitment to giving back, Professor Ts Dr Mai Chun Wai exemplifies the enduring impact of an IMU education, one that shapes not just careers, but the future of science and healthcare in Malaysia.