King Chow - Life Science and Medicine

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Michael Rivera

Dr

30/05/1991

Y1868

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+85261116404

Faculty of Social Sciences, 11/F, Jockey Club Tower, University of Hong Kong
Pokfulam
Hong Kong

I am Hong Kong's first biological anthropologist and palaeopathologist. What strikes me as most interesting to investigate is human biological variation today and the study of past health and disease. My research on ancient coastal skeletons has revealed positive effects of coastal living on dietary health.

The power of my science is evident when teaching, science communication events, and collaborating with other disciplines. I grew up in Hong Kong, and my research topics resonate with many in the city (e.g., health and climate change, scientific ethics, human-environment wellbeing). I was excited by biological anthropology very young and my life is so different now in how I've gained the expertise to create new interdisciplinary knowledges and solve problems. I did not have many role models like myself. Now every year, I take over 300 secondary/tertiary students into my bone lab to learn about skeletal anatomy, human evolution and forensic anthropology, interpreting real human remains. Some help me perform research afterwards and the experience transforms their engagement with science. I hope this Forum helps me act further on my great responsibility to guide others toward evolution, biology, and medical science, and the big answers on what makes us human.

Postdoc

Biological Anthropology, Palaeopathology, Forensic Sciences

University of Hong Kong

Hong Kong

My main research focuses on how humans have evolved and adapted biologically and culturally over the last six million years. During my PhD, I reconstructed the diets, health profiles, physical activities and body shapes of ancient humans. Through analysis of ancient bones and teeth, I was most interested in how active and healthy the lifestyles and diets were of ancient peoples living in coastal environments – particularly in East and Southeast Asia, and in the Baltic region of northeastern Europe. We can apply these understandings to give evolutionary insights on contemporary health conditions, and which factors most influence disease prevalence and experience (i.e., genetics, environment, nutritional quality, community care and social support, etc.).

Another area is the practice of forensic sciences, where we anthropologists play a crucial role in examining human remains from wartime, crime scene, accident, or natural disaster situations. As we intimately understand human health, disease, and trauma, my research informs human physiological research and public health initiatives.

Other interests include the history of race/ism discourse and contemporary understandings of biological diversity, social media and digital technologies, public engagement and science communication. I regularly encourage dialogues concerning professional ethics and how to promote science literacy.