Bridging Discovery to Impact: Prof Mai Chun Wai’s Journey from IMU to National Research Leadership

For Prof Ts Dr Mai Chun Wai, the path from student to research leader was never about titles alone. It was shaped by curiosity, persistence, and a deep belief that science must ultimately serve people.

A proud alumnus of IMU University, 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. What began as a pragmatic decision soon became the foundation of a lifelong commitment to research and academic leadership.

Upon completing his Bachelor of Pharmacy (Hons) at IMU, Prof Mai began his career as a hospital pharmacist in Sabah. While professionally fulfilling, the experience marked a turning point in his journey. “I realised that I could do more in improving my patients’ long-term outcomes,” he reflected. “That’s when I began asking what more I could do to improve life expectancy and quality of life.” That question led him back to IMU only this time as a sponsored academic trainee pursuing doctoral research.

A defining influence during this period was Prof Peter Pook, then Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic). While not his research supervisor, Prof Pook recognised the importance of nurturing young researchers properly and helped Prof Mai find the right mentors, research direction, and opportunities.

Under this guidance, Prof Mai embarked on cell and cancer research, specifically exploring how the immune system could be harnessed to fight cancer in less toxic, more holistic ways. At the time, cancer immunotherapy was still an emerging concept. “Back then, hardly anyone talked about cancer immunity,” he said. “Today, immunotherapy is everywhere, but those early years shaped how I think about research.”

IMU’s support went beyond conventional pathways. Prof Mai completed part of his PhD through a six-month attachment at the University of Strathclyde in the UK, 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, each broadening his perspective on how global research ecosystems function.

Today, Prof Mai is Professor and Deputy Director of Research Strategy & Innovation at IMU and Head of the Centre for Cancer and Stem Cell Research under the IMU Institute for Research, Development and Innovation (IRDI). His research focuses on the 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 Prof Mai’s belief that academia-industry collaboration is essential for translational impact. “This lab didn’t happen overnight,” he noted. “It grew from strategic partners along with years of work in immunology, stem cell biology, and cancer models.”

In 2025, Prof Mai reached another 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 position, an appointment that also places him on the National Science Council, chaired by the Prime Minister.

For Prof Mai, the role is not about prestige, but responsibility. “Science only progresses when people trust it,” he said. 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. “If we lose trust in science, we lose everything—careers, institutions, and public confidence.”

As IMU’s research strategy lead, Prof Mai’s priority is capacity building, creating pathways for emerging researchers to thrive. He actively mentors early-career academics, facilitates structured exposure to senior research leaders, and works to strengthen IMU’s research culture.

“Talent is everywhere,” he said. “But opportunity and guidance are not. My job is to help create those paths.”

When asked what advice he would give 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 work, leadership, and commitment to giving back, Prof 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.