Peking University, Oct.13, 2011: Professor Shu Chien, a Chinese-American biologist from the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), received the US National Medal of Science. The list of altogether seven winners was announced by US President Barack Obama on September 27, 2011.

Prof. Shu Chien

Professor Shu Chien was born in Peiping (Beijing) in 1931. He was admitted to Peking University (PKU) in 1947, and later in 1953 he studied in the US, earning his doctorate in physiology from Columbia University four years later. As former president of the American Physiological Society (APS) and former president of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB), Professor Shu Chien is now working presidentally for UCSD's Whitaker Center for Biomedical Engineering. Chien is an academician of the US National Academy of Science, the Academy of Engineering, the Academy of Medicine, and the Academy of Arts & Science. He is also foreign member of the Chinese Academy of Science, and secured the appointment of PKU's Professor Emeritus in 2005.

The National Medal of Science was established in 1959, representing the highest governmental honor for scientists, engineers and inventors. Professor Shu Chien received this award for his significant influence on the related research fields. His achievements have much to do with his pioneering work in cardiovascular physiology and biological engineering, together with his research about human health and disease in the field of microcirculation, blood rheology, and mechanical biological signal transduction.

As a PKU Health Science Center's alumnus, Professor Shu Chien has long been of concern with the development of his Alma Mater. He has returned and held academic seminars for several times. In the year 1995, Professor Chien became emeritus professor of Beijing Medical University (the predecessor of PKU Health Science Center). Cooperated with the Department of Biological Physics, he established the Beijing Medical University - UCSB Hem Rheology Laboratory. Professor Shu Chien is very concerned about the PKU Health Science Center's cardiovascular research, and has carried out extensive cooperation with the Vascular Molecular Biology and Bioengineering Laboratory, PKU Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences. Under his instruction, the PKU Health Science Center made breakthrough in molecular mechanism of restenosis after vascular injury and mechanism of MicroRNA pathway in shear stress regulating vascular function. The research papers were published on Circulation (118: 764-722008) and Proc Natl Acad Sci USA (107: 3240 - 3244; 2010), providing important basis for interpreting the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and its complications.

Professor Shu Chien is also dedicated to the cultivation of PKU medical talents. His discussion on scientific ideas and life philosophy with our teachers and students gives students a look into his broad perceptions and academic thoughts. Chien helped establish the postgraduate exchange mechanism. As a cooperative supervisor, he not only participates in training doctoral students for the PKU Health Science Center, but also dispatches his postgraduates for learning and working at PKU. His work has enhanced academic communication between Chinese and American graduates.

Written by: Jiang Zhaohui
Edited by: Arthars
Source: PKU Health Center News (Bynews)