Thomas Kwok

Thursday, September 4, 2025

Introducing Thomas 

Thomas Kwok

Thomas (he/him) completed his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mechanical and automation engineering at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, where he was born and raised. He then completed a PhD in integrative sciences and engineering with a specialization in biomedical engineering at the National University of Singapore and pursued his first postdoctoral scholar position at Nanyang Technological University soon after.

After spending five years in Singapore, Thomas started a new adventure in Canada through his second postdoc position at the University of Waterloo, where he works in the Active and Interactive Robotics Lab. 

International postdoc experience 

After spending around 30 years in Asia, Thomas was eager to experience North American culture. He chose the University of Waterloo due to its strong academic reputation and supportive and inclusive environment. “[My supervisor], Dr. Hu, has provided me with significant academic freedom and research support, and her team fosters a collaborative environment where everyone feels encouraged to share their ideas and perspectives, regardless of background.” 

Thomas says his experience applying for his current postdoc position and arranging documentation to work in Canada was “smooth and positive”. “I initially contacted Dr. Yue Hu by email, and she was very responsive. Within a week, she had arranged an interview with her team. The interview experience was excellent, and the team’s friendly and collaborative culture left a strong impression on me.” 

After receiving an offer from Dr. Hu, Thomas began the process of applying for a work permit. “The University of Waterloo was very supportive throughout, promptly addressing my questions and concerns regarding the application. My situation was somewhat unique, as I applied under a temporary immigration policy—Open Work Permits for Recent Hong Kong Graduates. The entire work permit process took approximately four months to complete.” 

Coming to Canada 

Thomas says that coming to Canada was an “exciting and eye-opening experience”. Dr. Hu and her team provided helpful suggestions on housing options and offered valuable Canadian life advice, especially when it came to choosing the right winter gear to stay warm in winter. “The Postdoctoral Scholars website, provided by Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs, was an excellent resource. It offered detailed instructions and guidance that helped me navigate the administrative steps and settle into life in the Waterloo Region more smoothly.” 

Thomas found Waterloo staff and students to be very friendly and welcoming. “I did experience a bit of culture shock with the prevalence of small talk in the workplace. At first, it felt unfamiliar, but as I started engaging more with my teammates and sharing bits of my life and thoughts, I began to appreciate it. Over time, small talk became more natural and even enjoyable—it helped me feel more connected to the team.” 

Advice to postdocs 

Postdoctoral studies can be demanding, both academically and personally, especially when relocating internationally. “My advice is to choose a supervisor and research team who are genuinely supportive, not only of your research but also of your well-being and career development. A positive and encouraging environment can make a huge difference in navigating the challenges of postdoc life and adjusting to a new country.” 

Related resources 

  • Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs has information on coming to Canada and relocation on their postdoctoral scholars website.