Endocrinology, as a medical specialty of excellence, has been established within the University of Hong Kong for over four decades. The Endocrine team is internationally renowned for its contribution of novel and important research findings. The Endocrine Division at Queen Mary Hospital is a major regional referral centre for difficult endocrine problems and is highly regarded as a training centre in endocrinology.

Professor Lam, who was honored as the top student in her class when she earned her medical degree at the University of Hong Kong in 1976, is widely acclaimed for her research and academic leadership in the area of diabetes. She was the Founding Director of the University’s Centre of Endocrinology and Diabetes, and is currently Director of the Medical Faculty’s Research Centre of Heart, Brain, Hormone and Healthy Aging.

Professor Lam's recent research has focused on hormones from fat cells as the link between obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Studies by her research team have led to the discovery of two new drugs for the prevention and treatment of diabetes and heart disease, and a novel glucose-lowering hormone. These discoveries, with intellectual property rights to be accorded to the University, have opened up new potentials for the treatment of diabetes.

As the Chief of Endocrinology at the Queen Mary Hospital, Professor Lam has pioneered the organization of structured training in endocrinology and diabetes for doctors in Hong Kong and from Mainland China. Also, as the Specialty Board Chairman, first of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, and then of Advanced Internal Medicine, she also played a key role in setting the standard for these medical specialties in Hong Kong. She has also extended her expertise to the community, as the Founding President of Diabetes Hong Kong, the most reputed advocate for people with diabetes in Hong Kong.

The Diabetes Centre at the Queen Mary Hospital, which Professor Lam established in 1994, was the first to provide comprehensive diabetes care and patient education in Hong Kong. For that work, the Centre received the “Outstanding Team Award” from the Hospital Authority in 1997.