Yesterday, the Scripps Research Institute in Southern California celebrated the opening of a new biomedical research building named in honor of former Academia Sinica President Chi-Huey Wong. Funded by Taiwanese entrepreneur Samuel Yin, the building reflects Wong’s dedication to science, which he describes as driven by a passion that helps him find joy in the challenges of research.
The building, officially named the Chi-Huey Wong Laboratories for Biomedical Research, is located at the Scripps Research Institute in San Diego. It was funded largely through the generosity of Samuel Yin, allowing nearly 20 biomedical researchers and scholars to work in this advanced facility. At the ceremony, Wong, who has researched at Scripps for 35 years, spoke alongside institute President and CEO Peter Schultz, and Samuel Yin’s son, Yin Chung-Yao.
Schultz expressed deep gratitude for Samuel Yin’s longstanding commitment to supporting scientific research. Wong added that while the building bears his name, it is Yin who is the "unsung hero" of the day and, in Wong’s view, one of the most altruistic entrepreneurs dedicated to the public good.
Chi-Huey Wong is a globally renowned scientist and often cited as a strong Nobel Prize contender, especially valued for his contributions to the institute. Schultz described Wong as a pioneer in carbohydrate synthesis, whose enzyme synthesis techniques allow scientists to control carbohydrate structures at the molecular level. This capability has paved the way for new drug and vaccine developments and advanced the understanding of carbohydrates in cell biology.
Schultz, who has known Wong for many years, noted that Wong seems ageless, appearing much the same as he did 35 years ago. Schultz admires Wong’s commitment to scientific research and his humility, saying that Wong’s achievements are never evident in their interactions. He values Wong’s significant contributions to carbohydrate synthesis and his dedication to mentoring young scientists and advancing the field.
In an interview with Central News Agency, Wong shared his background, noting that he was raised in rural Chiayi, Taiwan, and pursued his education there before going to the U.S. at 31 to obtain a Ph.D. Wong said, “My character was shaped in Taiwan, along with how I treat others. In the U.S., I only absorbed new knowledge, but my approach to work remains deeply rooted in Taiwan’s values.”
At 76, Wong continues his research across both Taiwan and the U.S. He is a professor of chemistry at Scripps and a member of Academia Sinica, serving in Taiwan as Chair of the National Biotechnology and Medical Care Development Association and as Deputy Convenor of the Presidential Health Taiwan Promotion Committee.
Despite his success in the U.S., Wong has never forgotten to give back to Taiwan. “It’s like when you leave home and achieve something; you feel the urge to go back and help out,” he explained.
Reflecting on his academic journey, Wong recalls that the late Professor Guang-Tsan Wang from National Taiwan University’s Chemistry Department served as his mentor during his master’s studies and introduced him to academic research. Later, while pursuing his Ph.D. at MIT, his advisor George Whitesides provided invaluable guidance, marking both as significant figures in his career.
Wong shared that the joy of science sustains him, even in the face of frequent failures. “The interest I find in science has propelled me from a rural boy in Chiayi to someone recognized internationally,” he said. “People may see me as enduring hardship, but to me, it’s pure enjoyment.”
As a prominent figure in the U.S. biomedical community, Wong holds great hope for Taiwan’s biotechnology sector, highlighting two key strengths: Taiwan’s top-ranked healthcare system and its advanced ICT industry. He believes that Taiwan, with its robust ICT industry and AI technologies, can harness healthcare data from its national health insurance system to foster interdisciplinary cooperation, potentially developing globally pioneering research areas.
Resource (mandarin): 推動生物醫學研究 加州實驗室大樓以「中研院翁啟惠前院長」命名
