Monday October 12, 2009

Science in his blood

MALAYSIANS ABROAD By WONG LI ZA

DR JOSEPH Chang has had an affinity for science ever since he was a young boy. That connection has served him well and today, Chang is a successful pharmacologist based in Salt Lake City, Utah, in the United States.

“I have always been fascinated by how the human body works. Doing my PhD in pharmacology allowed me to explore basic biochemical mechanisms and investigate how drugs affect these mechanisms.

“Till this day, I continue to be fascinated by the multitude of cellular mechanisms that drive our body’s functions,” said Dr Chang, 57, chief scientific officer and executive vice-president of product development with Nu Skin Enterprises, a direct-selling company in healthcare, beauty and personal care products.

Prior to assuming his current position, held since 2006, Dr Chang worked for two major pharmaceuticals in the United States, after which he collaborated with university researchers to set up a couple of biotechnology companies based in Boston.

Naturally, his line of work gives him great satisfaction.

“There is never a dull moment in science, especially since each new discovery can potentially lead to a new product that promotes health and beauty.

Scientific mind: ‘Till this day, I continue to be fascinated by the multitude of cellular mechanisms that drive our body’s functions,’ says Dr Joseph Chang.

“This is very rewarding because throughout my career, I have been fortunate enough to develop new breakthrough products that benefited human health,” he said.

Combining business and science in his present position can be an intricate affair.

“(That is) one of my most important work challenges. In other words, I have to be cognisant of the fact that I am in the business of science and not purely involved in conducting scientific research in a university.

“Science in a commercial setting must always be focused on a well-defined, product-related goal. Scientists are not trained in business per se, and it can be a difficult transition if differences between academic research and industrial research are not acknowledged,” he said.

“I was very fortunate because my field of research is pharmacology, the study of drug action in the body, which transcends such differences quite easily, and naturally lends itself to product innovation,” he added.

From Ipoh, Dr Chang credits his mother for being an inspiration in his life.

“Growing up, it has been my mother who has had the highest standards in the family. She came from a poor family and has always believed that education is the portal through which you enter and have a successful life. Her influence continues to be part of my life and even now at the age of 78, my mother is still a motivating force.”

Dr Chang also holds firm to the motto: “I am not bound to win, but I am bound to be true; I am not bound to succeed, but I am bound to live up to what Light I have.”

Having lived in Utah for many years, Dr Chang finds it a great place to raise a family.

“When my kids were growing up, I didn’t have to worry about their safety. They had a great education and developed values that will last them throughout their adult lives,” said Dr Chang, who has two sons.

“Utah is also a great place if you are an outdoor person. In the summer, you can go hiking, fishing or golfing and, in the winter, there are all kinds of winter sports. However, it can be very cold and there are days when you wish you were back in the tropics.

“However, Malaysian food is non-existent and Asian food on the whole is below par. A Malaysian can starve to death in Utah!” he joked.

When not at work, Dr Chang plays tennis and reads to relax.

“In the summer, we also have friends over for a barbecue. My wife and I are also very interested in visiting our families in Malaysia every chance we get,” he said.

In fact, Dr Chang’s long-term plans include the possibility of returning to Malaysia.

“I am at a stage in my career where I am looking forward to spending more time in Malaysia. For the last 37 years that I have been away, it has never been easy to spend much time in Malaysia and re-absorb the country’s sounds and sights.

“The sirens seem to be beckoning me back. Somebody once said that you can take the boy out of Ipoh but you can’t take Ipoh out of the boy.

“That is so true as I get longer in the tooth and my fondest wish is for a chance to contribute in a more significant way to the land where I spent my childhood,” he said.

Fact File
NAME: Joseph Chang
AGE: 57
HOMETOWN: Ipoh
EDUCATION: La Salle Primary School,
Ipoh; St Michael’s Institution, Ipoh;
Portsmouth University, University of London, Britain
OCCUPATION: Pharmacologist and chief scientific officer
CURRENT BASE: Salt Lake City, Utah
YEARS ABR OAD: 38