India, April 8 -- Two distinguished scholars of the LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong (HKUMed), Professor Guan Yi and Professor Joseph Sriyal Malik Peiris, have been awarded the 2021 John Dirks Canada Gairdner Global Health Award for their significant contributions to understanding the origins and options for control of newly emerging infectious disease outbreaks in Asia, notably zoonotic influenza and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).

Professor Guan and Professor Peiris are the first HKUMed laureates of this prestigious global award by the Gairdner Foundation. Former president and vice-chancellor of The University of Hong Kong (HKU), Professor Tsui Lap-chee received the Canada Gairdner International Award, als...