From Brokenness to Healing: The Transformational Journey of Wenyu LIAO, Outstanding Graduate of UM FHS

In the summer of 2025, Wenyu LIAO, a graduate of the Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS) at the University of Macau (UM), stood out as one of the most remarkable figures among his peers. His journey from brokenness to healing showcases extraordinary resilience and personal growth, making his story not only an academic pursuit but also a powerful narrative of self-recovery and transformation.

From Physics Aspirations to a Medical Calling

Raised in a medical family, Wenyu was immersed in his parents’ professional environment from an early age, yet medicine was never his chosen path. In high school, he was one of the few students who specialised in physics competitions, originally aspiring to enter the field of nuclear physics. However, during his final year, under the pressure of university entrance exams, he began to realise that his true passion lay not in theoretical science, but in understanding and helping others. During this period, he faced significant academic and societal pressures, coupled with emotional exhaustion. These experiences profoundly impacted him and led him to reevaluate his life’s direction. He ultimately chose to enroll in the biomedical sciences programme at FHS, where he developed a strong interest in epidemiology and psychiatry, aiming to use his expertise to bring meaningful change and hope to those in need.

Finding His Stage at FHS

From initial confusion to finding his footing, Wenyu demonstrated exceptional leadership and initiative throughout his four years at UM. In his freshman year, he led a group project in the ‘General and Clinical Biochemistry’ course, successfully guiding classmates from diverse academic backgrounds to deliver a presentation that was highly praised by both professors and peers. This experience laid a solid foundation for his future leadership roles. He went on to serve as president of the student association and captain of UM team for International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM), and founded iGEM Greater Bay Area Synthetic Biology Industry–Academia-Research Forum (iGBA), the second officially recognised synthetic biology alliance in the Greater China region.

For Wenyu, iGEM was more than a competition. It was a reflection of his personal growth. Over three years of deep involvement, he evolved from a novice participant into a leader capable of initiating inter-university collaborations and regional exchanges. He pioneered the establishment of a collaborative iGEM network in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, founded the iGBA alliance from scratch, and organised the increasingly influential iGBA Forum for three consecutive years. These experiences taught him that the future is an ‘infinite game’, and that personal breakthroughs come from leveraging one’s strengths and expanding one’s capabilities.

Self-Healing in the Darkest Times

However, Wenyu’s university journey was not without hardship. In the first semester of his sophomore year, he faced the most difficult period of his life: the loss of a close relative, drastic changes in personal relationships, and the eruption of long-suppressed emotional struggles dating back to high school. His physical and mental health fell into crisis. He admitted that he not only considered dropping out but even questioned the value of life itself. In this vulnerable state, he was forced to confront his deepest pain and fragility. Through self-adjustment and perseverance, he gradually emerged from the darkness, regained his rhythm in life, and achieved outstanding results in both academics and student activities—including being named to the Rector’s Honour List, publishing academic papers, and founding cross-university organisations. His story is a testament to resilience and a reminder of the importance of mental health and self-care. ‘Though painful, that experience became the most precious turning point in my life. From then on, I truly believed that only by listening to and following the voice and strength within can one walk out of the darkness and rediscover oneself.’

Mentorship That Lit the Way Forward

Throughout his university journey, Prof Xuanjun ZHANG, Assistant Dean of FHS, played an indispensable role in supporting and guiding Wenyu. Especially during his psychological crisis in sophomore year, Prof. Zhang offered deep understanding and compassion, while demonstrating strong leadership and commitment to student welfare. At the time, Wenyu was serving as president of the student association and grappling with issues such as course arrangements and teaching quality. His past experience of being suppressed for speaking up in high school made him hesitant, but Prof. Zhang’s approach was entirely different—he consistently stood by students, actively listened to their concerns, and took an active role to drive reforms.

During Wenyu’s most difficult days, Prof. Zhang was a stabilising force, allowing him to feel trust and respect from the faculty even in his most fragile state. It was this empathy and action that helped him regain direction and appreciate the power of being heard and believed. ‘Prof Zhang’s consistent care and concrete actions for student development are something I will always remember, even after leaving UM.’

Looking Ahead: Changing the World Through Scholarship and Action

After graduation, Wenyu will pursue a Master’s degree in Public Health at Karolinska Institutet, focusing on psychiatric and infectious disease research. He will also continue to promote the development of iGBA, aiming to build a synthetic biology platform with think tank capabilities. ‘University teaches us not just knowledge, but how to live with ourselves,’ he said. He encouraged fellow students to care for their emotional well-being and personal lives while striving for academic excellence, emphasising that intellectual growth and emotional maturity must go hand in hand to truly illuminate both their own lives and those of others.