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St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital oncologist elected to Academia Sinica, the highest academic institution in Taiwan

Memphis, Tennessee, August 11, 2014

Ching-Hon Pui, MD

Ching-Hon Pui, M.D., recognized for pioneering research and treatment of childhood leukemia, increasing childhood cancer survival rates around the globe

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital oncologist Ching-Hon Pui, M.D., has been elected as an Academician of Academia Sinica. The honor recognizes Pui’s research that has helped push childhood leukemia survival rates to unprecedented heights in the United States and his work with doctors worldwide to further the study and treatment of childhood cancer.

Headquartered in Taipei, Academia Sinica is Taiwan’s national academy, supporting research activities in disciplines such as mathematics and physical sciences, life sciences, humanities and social sciences. The Convocation of the Academia Sinica includes more than 200 scientists of Chinese heritage.

“Dr. Pui’s work has changed the way the world thinks about and treats childhood leukemia,” said James R. Downing, M.D., St. Jude president and chief executive officer. “This honor recognizes his leadership, pioneering research and contributions made not only to children at St. Jude, but to pediatric cancer patients across the globe.”

A native of Hong Kong, Pui earned his medical degree at National Taiwan University before moving to the U.S. to train as a physician. Since arriving at St. Jude in 1977, Pui has led the successful effort to eliminate cranial irradiation from standard leukemia treatment and to increase childhood cancer survival rates to historic highs.

Today, Pui chairs the St. Jude Department of Oncology and holds the Fahad Al-Rashid Chair of Leukemia Research. He is also co-leader of the Hematological Malignancies Program and medical director of the hospital’s International Outreach Program in China. Pui is an American Cancer Society professor. He has authored more than 800 original articles and chapters, edited nine books and monographs, and serves as section editor or editorial board member for several journals. He is also one of the most highly cited authors in clinical research.

Pui’s many awards and honors include elected memberships in the Association of American Physicians and the American Society for Clinical Investigation; election as a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science; the American Cancer Society F.M. Kirby Clinical Research Professorship; the 2009 American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Team Science Award; the 2010 Castle Connolly National Physician of the Year Award; the 2011 AACR Joseph H. Burchenal Memorial Award for Outstanding Achievement in Clinical Research; the 2011 Henry M. Stratton Medal from the American Society of Hematology; and the 2012 Pediatric Oncology Award from the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

The Academia Sinica’s membership includes seven Nobel laureates. The convocation elects new members at the biennial convocations in three divisions: Mathematics and Physical Sciences, Life Sciences, and Social Sciences and Humanities. The organization was founded in 1928.

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is leading the way the world understands, treats and cures childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. It is the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center devoted solely to children. Treatments developed at St. Jude have helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20% to 80% since the hospital opened more than 50 years ago. St. Jude shares the discoveries it makes, and every child saved at St. Jude means doctors and scientists worldwide can use that knowledge to save thousands more children. To learn more, visit stjude.org or follow St. Jude on social media at @stjuderesearch.

 
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