Camilla Sih Mai Pang (born February 1992) is a British

computational biologist Computational biology refers to the use of data analysis, mathematical modeling and computational simulations to understand biological systems and relationships. An intersection of computer science, biology, and big data, the field also has fo ...

, writer, and

autism The autism spectrum, often referred to as just autism or in the context of a professional diagnosis autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or autism spectrum condition (ASC), is a neurodevelopmental condition (or conditions) characterized by difficulti ...

advocate. In 2020, she was awarded the

Royal Society Prize for Science Books The Royal Society Science Books Prize is an annual £25,000 prize awarded by the Royal Society to celebrate outstanding popular science books from around the world. It is open to authors of science books written for a non-specialist audience, and ...

for her memoir, ''Explaining Humans: What Science Can Teach Us about Life, Love and Relationships''.

Early life and education

Pang has said that she was not a typical child, and evaluated her early friendships in terms of

computer code A computer is a machine that can be programmed to carry out sequences of arithmetic or logical operations (computation) automatically. Modern digital electronic computers can perform generic sets of operations known as programs. These progra ...

. At the age of eight Pang was diagnosed with

autism spectrum The autism spectrum, often referred to as just autism or in the context of a professional diagnosis autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or autism spectrum condition (ASC), is a neurodevelopmental condition (or conditions) characterized by difficulti ...

disorder, and asked her mother whether there was an instruction manual for life. Pang attended

Wycliffe College, Gloucestershire Wycliffe College is a public school (co-educational, independent, day and boarding) in Stonehouse, Gloucestershire, England, founded in 1882 by G. W. Sibly. It comprises a Nursery School for ages 2–4, a Preparatory School for ages 4–13, an ...

. She studied mathematics, physics, biology and art for

GCE Advanced Level The A-Level (Advanced Level) is a subject-based qualification conferred as part of the General Certificate of Education, as well as a school leaving qualification offered by the educational bodies in the United Kingdom and the educational aut ...

. Pang joined the

University of Bristol , mottoeng = earningpromotes one's innate power (from Horace, ''Ode 4.4'') , established = 1595 – Merchant Venturers School1876 – University College, Bristol1909 – received royal charter , type ...

as an undergraduate student, where she specialised in biochemistry. She earned a

PhD PHD or PhD may refer to: * Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), an academic qualification Entertainment * '' PhD: Phantasy Degree'', a Korean comic series * ''Piled Higher and Deeper'', a web comic * Ph.D. (band), a 1980s British group ** Ph.D. (Ph.D. albu ...

computational biology Computational biology refers to the use of data analysis, mathematical modeling and computational simulations to understand biological systems and relationships. An intersection of computer science, biology, and big data, the field also has fo ...

University College London , mottoeng = Let all come who by merit deserve the most reward , established = , type = Public research university , endowment = £143 million (2020) , budget = ...

where her research was supervised by Christine Orengo.

Career

After earning her doctorate, Pang joined a pharmaceutical company as a

postdoctoral researcher A postdoctoral fellow, postdoctoral researcher, or simply postdoc, is a person professionally conducting research after the completion of their doctoral studies (typically a PhD). The ultimate goal of a postdoctoral research position is to p ...

. Her research considers the computational model of disease in an effort to identify new pharmaceutical options for neurological diseases. In 2020 Pang released her first book, ''Explaining Humans: What Science Can Teach Us about Life, Love and Relationships.'' The book explores what it means to be human, discussing

social etiquette Etiquette () is the set of norms of personal behaviour in polite society, usually occurring in the form of an ethical code of the expected and accepted social behaviours that accord with the conventions and norms observed and practised by a ...

, relationships and perfectionism. Alongside her scientific research, Pang looks to inspire young people to study science. She has spoken openly about her

neurodiversity Neurodiversity refers to diversity in the human brain and cognition, for instance in sociability, learning, attention, mood and other mental functions. It was coined in 1998 by sociologist Judy Singer, who helped popularize the concept alo ...

, and campaigned for increased awareness of autism amongst young women.

Awards and honours

Pang was awarded the

in 2020 for her memoir ''Explaining Humans: What Science Can Teach Us about Life, Love and Relationships''.

Personal life

At the age of twenty six, Pang was diagnosed with

attention deficit hyperactivity disorder Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by excessive amounts of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that are pervasive, impairing in multiple contexts, and otherwise age-inap ...

(ADHD).

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Pang, Camilla British science writers Alumni of the University of Bristol Alumni of University College London British bioinformaticians British biochemists British women academics British women scientists British women chemists 1992 births Living people Autism activists People on the autism spectrum 21st-century British women scientists Computational biologists Women computational biologists People with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder British scientists with disabilities British writers with disabilities