Emeritus Professor Dr. Liam Chong Kin is one of Malaysia's leading physician-scientists in Respiratory Medicine, internationally recognised for his pioneering contributions to the diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In recognition of his distinguished academic career and enduring contributions to medical education, clinical and research practice, Universiti Malaya conferred upon him the title of Emeritus Professor during its 61st Convocation Ceremony in 2022. Even after his retirement, Professor Liam continues to serve the University as Honorary Professor of Medicine and Senior Consultant Respiratory Physician at Universiti Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC) and as Consultant Respiratory Physician at the UM Specialist Centre (UMSC).
A graduate of the Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Professor Liam obtained his MBBS degree in 1980 and spent his entire professional career at his alma mater. Over more than four decades, he played a pivotal role in developing Respiratory Medicine into one of Malaysia's most established medical subspecialties. Widely regarded as one of the pioneers of postgraduate training in Internal Medicine at Universiti Malaya, he also led the Division of Respiratory Medicine for more than two decades and contributed significantly to curriculum development, specialist training, and postgraduate medical education. His dedication to academic excellence has helped shape generations of physicians, respiratory specialists, and clinician-scientists in Malaysia.
Professor Liam is internationally respected for his expertise in lung cancer and respiratory diseases. His research focuses on molecular targeted therapies, immunotherapy for lung cancer, novel treatments for asthma and COPD. Throughout his career, he has contributed to numerous national and international clinical practice guidelines, including those on asthma, tuberculosis, COPD, antimicrobial treatment of respiratory tract infections, and lung cancer management. His work has helped translate emerging scientific discoveries into evidence-based clinical practice, improving patient care both in Malaysia and across the Asia-Pacific region.
An accomplished academic, Professor Liam has published 199 scientific papers in peer-reviewed medical journals and is the author or co-author of more than 300 scientific papers presented at national, regional, and international scientific meetings. His publications have been extensively cited by researchers worldwide, reflecting the sustained influence of his work in respiratory medicine and thoracic oncology. He has been recognised among Stanford University's World's Top 2% Most-Cited Scientists for four consecutive years (2022–2025). As of 12 July 2026, his research had accumulated more than 8,380 citations, underscoring his standing as one of Malaysia's most influential medical researchers.
Beyond research, Professor Liam has provided exemplary leadership within the international respiratory medicine community. He is a Fellow of the American College of Chest Physicians, a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians (London), and a Fellow of the Asian Pacific Society of Respirology (APSR). He currently chairs the Science and Research Committee of the Malaysian Thoracic Society and serves on the Research Committee of the APSR. Previously, he headed the Lung Cancer Assembly of APSR and served as President of the Malaysian Thoracic Society from 2001 to 2009. He is also actively involved with the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC), contributing to regional collaborations that continue to shape lung cancer research and respiratory medicine across the Asia-Pacific region.
Professor Liam is a highly sought-after speaker and thought leader in respiratory medicine, having delivered keynote lectures and invited presentations at prestigious international scientific meetings, including the Asian Pacific Society of Respirology Annual Congresses and the World Conference on Lung Cancer. His continued leadership and research excellence have earned him numerous accolades, including the Asian Pacific Society of Respirology (APSR) Medal and the inaugural World Cancer Day Award from the Lung Cancer Network Malaysia in 2025. Through his unwavering dedication to patient care, medical education, clinical research, and international collaboration, Emeritus Professor Dr. Liam Chong Kin has made an enduring impact on respiratory medicine and has significantly strengthened Universiti Malaya's reputation as a leading centre for medical education and research in the region.
