- Awais Farid co-invented antiviral coating that could provide 90 days of “significant” protection against bacteria and viruses such as the one causing Covid-19
- Farid became a researcher because he realised his passion to save lives should not be limited to a clinic
Awais Farid encourages young people to find out what they like, and try to be the best in that field. Photo: HandoutA clinical scientist co-invented an antiviral coating that could provide 90 days of “significant” protection against bacteria and viruses such as the one causing Covid-19. Now, he is eyeing his next goal – using it to get rid of body odour.
Awais Farid, from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), was part of a team of researchers who developed the product, called MAP-1, which can be sprayed on surfaces that are frequently used by the public, such as lift buttons and handrails.
The technology, invented two years ago, is now patented in more than 20 countries, and can be especially useful in settings such as hospitals and schools.
Farid said he is now keen to find out whether the same coating can be used to eliminate body odour, which is caused by a combination of bacteria and sweat.
Scientists find a way to say goodbye to toxic ‘forever chemicals’, PFAS
A former paediatrician in a children’s hospital in Pakistan, Farid said he decided to step out of his comfort zone and opted for a career as a researcher because he realised that his passion to save lives should not be limited to a clinic.
After obtaining his master’s degree at the University of Malaysia, he joined the World Health Organization where he was assigned to look into why regular antibiotics were not effective against tuberculosis. Later, he was invited to work at the Ministry of Health in Saudi Arabia, helping to prevent people from contracting Aids, tuberculosis and malaria.
Farid’s research on infection control eventually brought him to Hong Kong where he finished his doctoral degree at HKUST. He has been working as a postdoctoral fellow at the university for the past three years.
Before his invention, Farid said he had experienced many hardships. There was even a time when he wanted to quit his studies.
“At that time I doubted as to why I should go on. Everything I wanted to do had already been done and my research had shown no promising results,” he said. “However, as I was discussing my troubles with my professor, he showed me a news article which gave me an idea for my project which turned out to be successful.”
The article was about how patients in a public hospital got infected with a virus carried by the person next to them every 18 minutes, which inspired Farid to do something to stop its spread.
Co-founder’s life inspired website helping Hong Kong ethnic minorities
“There would be hardships,” Farid said. “But we should accept challenges to improve ourselves and gain more experience for solving future problems.”
He encouraged young people to find out what they like, and try to be the best in that particular field.
“Make people recognise you for what you are passionate about and put in your maximum effort,” he said. “Do not get influenced by what your friends like and follow them blindly ... stick to what you love instead.”
Junior reporter Limbu Kiva Zose (Salesians of Don Bosco Ng Siu Mui Secondary School)