Fossils hold secrets from millions of years ago, awaiting discovery and exploration by people. Fion Ma's fascination with science from a young age, her hands-on approach to investigation, and her innovative achievements earned her the "Wi Cheung Scholarship” from our organisation, propelling her onto the path of research. With a profound interest in palaeobiota, especially dinosaurs, Fion's determined efforts culminated in her attainment of a doctoral degree in 2022, making her Hong Kong's pioneering female vertebrate palaeontologist.
Securing the BGCA Scholarship: Embarking on the Research Path
Fion first connected with us 11 years ago when she and her high school classmates invented a device for conserving toilet flushing water. Representing her team, she participated in our "Wi Cheung Scholarship" and emerged victorious in the creativity category, thus securing the scholarship. Having taken part in various science competitions, Fion vividly recalled our programme’s uniqueness. "Many competitions focus solely on your invention; they don't ask you about anything else. But with this scholarship, beyond the end product, they want to know about my overall thinking and perspective on science." Instead of merely participating in the evaluation phase, Fion felt more like she was sharing innovative ideas with friends, displaying her scientific mindset in a relaxed atmosphere.
Throughout this journey, she developed a rapport with the colleagues responsible for the project. Subsequently, she voluntarily took on the role of a host on several occasions, witnessing the creativity of the new generation and acknowledging the continually advancing research capabilities of students. Fion gained insights during her volunteer work. Since she spent most of her time engrossed in research, she had limited interaction with individuals from other fields. Through these scholarship activities, she had the chance to engage with people from the social welfare and education sectors, broadening her horizons. “One meaningful aspect of the scholarship is that it connects people from diverse backgrounds. The relationships formed can be long-lasting. In my case, I got into this programme in 2011. Now in 2022, I’m still in touch with those colleagues, and we’ve become good friends.”
Acquiring the scholarship was undoubtedly an affirmation for Fion, propelling her onto the path of research. During a geological lecture at a science museum, Fion uncovered the existence of fossils in Hong Kong, sparking her keen interest in palaeobiota. Ever since then, she spent her free time reading relevant books and engaging in forum discussions, delving deeper into the realms of fossils and dinosaurs. With a light-hearted touch, she shared how her initial dinosaur impressions were largely sculpted by movies, believing that all dinosaurs were gigantic. “Actually, there’s a variety in sizes, with some being as small as a chicken. I found this quite intriguing, so I wanted to dig deeper into studying them.”
Diving into University Research: First Encounter with “Egg Thief” Fossils
Unfortunately, universities in Hong Kong do not offer palaeontology programmes, leaving Fion initially daunted by the distant prospects of her dinosaur-centred dream. Resolute in her aspiration, she pursued studies at the University of Hong Kong, focusing on geology and ecology. During a summer break, she seized the chance to join a research programme. This opportunity led her to the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology in Beijing, where she immersed herself in learning from and exchanging ideas with established palaeontologists. Although the programme lasted merely two months, it was packed with a wealth of experiences. Fion's journey brought her into contact with "egg thief" fossils for the first time, shaping her future research direction.
When speaking about oviraptors, "egg thief" dinosaurs, Fion's enthusiasm is contagious. She shared an amusing titbit about the naming process, "The first 'egg thief' fossil was discovered decades ago in the Gobi Desert. When people saw it next to a pile of eggs, they wondered if it had stolen eggs from other dinosaurs. That’s how the name change happened. It wasn't until over a decade later that they realized those eggs were its own. In reality, it's more accurate to call it the 'hatchling dinosaur' rather than the 'egg thief' dinosaur.” The appearance of oviraptors also defies conventional notions of dinosaurs. Fion pointed out that they lack teeth, possess crests and feathers on their heads, and have a chicken-like appearance.
Hong Kong's First Female Vertebrate Palaeontologist
In her pursuit of a deeper understanding of dinosaurs, especially the dietary and chewing behaviours of oviraptors, Fion obtained her Master’s degree in Edinburg, UK, and subsequently completed her PhD in Birmingham. This achievement positioned her as the first female vertebrate palaeontologist in Hong Kong. While movies often depict palaeontologists excavating fossils in deserts, Fion chuckled at the fact that she had only been to the desert twice in reality. Most of her time was spent indoors conducting research, along with visits to museums in various countries where she would "treasure hunt" within specimen rooms. "Every time when I visit a specimen room, I get really excited. Seeing an entire room filled with fossils is quite astonishing. Some of these fossils have remained untouched for decades, with only a few bones exposed, waiting for researchers to clean and study them."
Among Fion's most resonant research endeavours was the study of "egg thief" dinosaurs. Collaborating with her team, she once published a study on the embryonic remains of an “egg thief” dinosaur, within which the dinosaur’s bones were entirely intact. This finding shed light on the growth patterns of these dinosaurs. "Throughout the history of the world, there have been fewer than 10 of them globally.” She hopes to utilise computer technology in the future for more in-depth research on these specimens.
After graduation, Fion was granted a postdoctoral research position at the National Museum of Natural History in the United States. Over the next two years, she will focus on studying the chewing mechanism of herbivorous dinosaurs. Looking back on her journey, Fion mentioned that she has been committed to the path of a palaeontologist since high school. Despite encountering research setbacks, dead ends and scepticism from peers, she maintained that persistence will ultimately illuminate the path forward. Similar to the "Wi Cheung Scholarship", some winners overcame challenges related to physical disabilities, chronic illnesses, or adversity to excel in learning, sports, arts, and creativity. Their resilient spirit in surmounting challenges and embracing a rich life serves as a wellspring of inspiration for Fion and others. She advises young individuals aspiring to become palaeontologists to cultivate perseverance and determination, taking gradual strides towards their aspirations.
Know more about the scholarship: https://www.bgca.org.hk/articles/scholarship
