Darren Chan Kin-chung
Technician, Laboratory Animal Services Centre
25-Year Award
13 May 2026
Located on the outskirts of the CUHK campus, the Laboratory Animal Services Centre is, to many people, a mysterious building. To Darren Chan Kin-chung, however, it is a place that feels almost like home – nestled among green trees and overlooking the Ma Liu Shui waterfront. With hill runs and ball games during lunch or after work as part of his daily routine, 25 years have passed in what feels like no time at all.
In fields such as medical pathology research and drug development, animal experimentation is unavoidable. The Centre’s mission is to ensure that these animals are treated with proper care and respect. Chan is responsible for administration and quality monitoring, making sure that all operations are carried out in accordance with ISO standards.
Although his role does not require him to handle the animals directly, it was his affection for animals that drew him to this job. He recalls that shortly after graduating from The University of Queensland in 2000, his mother-in-law, who worked at CUHK, suggest that he apply for a vacancy there. Having majored in economics and possessing sophisticated skills in data analysis and statistics, he was offered the position. He says with a smile: “This was my first job and I have stayed in it for 25 years.”
He believes that the key to navigating the tension between research needs and animal ethics lies in striking a balance. He explains: “All of our experiments are reviewed and approved by CUHK’s Animal Experimentation Ethics Committee (AEEC). Veterinarians conduct daily inspections to ensure that the animals have sufficient water and food, and remain healthy. We even provide toys for them, adding variety to their life.”
The Centre also adheres to stringent infection-control protocols to prevent bacteria or viruses from contaminating the environment and compromising research results. Chan himself does not enter the facility casually, but he knows its animal population inside out: “Rats, mice, rabbits, Syrian hamsters, musk shrews and other animals for special research needs.” Over the years, he has witnessed the laboratories expand continuously and the number of animals rise steadily. “In the past, we only had 30 to 40 strains of mice; now there are more than 180.” In addition to serving CUHK departments, the Centre also supports other tertiary institutions. A new wing of the Shanghai Fraternity Association Research Services Centre, where the Centre locates, will soon be completed, which will further broaden the scope of its services.
One of Chan’s key responsibilities is to arrange for blood to be taken from all animals every three months and the samples sent overseas for testing. “If infection is detected, it will be very serious.” In all his years at the Centre, this has happened once, and the incident had left a lasting impression on him: “In 2008, one section was infected with mouse hepatitis virus (MHV). The entire batch of mice had to be euthanised, the experiments had to be redone and the affected area had to undergo a thorough decontamination.” Everyone was deeply saddened; from that point onwards, infection-control measures became even more rigorous to ensure that the mistake would never be repeated.
For Chan, one of the highlights of working at CUHK is the pleasant environment. Surrounded by nature and blessed with ample space for exercise, the campus provides an ideal setting for an active lifestyle. He often goes for a run at the nearby sports ground, heads up the hills or plays ball games. Quite a few of his colleagues are also his sporting companions, and they share a warm camaraderie. He says: “Twenty-five years have passed in the blink of an eye.” He adds that he wants to express his gratitude for his wife’s steadfast support over the years. If he could say something to his younger self from 25 years ago, he comments, it would simply be: “You made the right choice!”
By Ella Cheung
Photos by Yau Hung-kee, courtesy of interviewees
