Professor Yun Yen Honored as FASCO Fellow in Recognition of Outstanding Contributions to Cancer Research
Professor Yun Yen, Former President of TMU, Honored as FASCO Fellow by ASCO for Outstanding Contributions to Cancer Research and Education
Professor Yun Yen, a distinguished scholar at Taipei Medical University (TMU) and former president of the university, has long been dedicated to cancer research and the promotion of educational initiatives. In recognition of his exceptional achievements in clinical cancer research and contributions to the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), Professor Yen has been named a Fellow of ASCO (FASCO), the society's highest honor.
“Being named a FASCO Fellow is the highest accolade from ASCO, and it holds special meaning for me as someone who has spent over 40 years immersed in cancer medicine research and education,” said Professor Yen. He noted that ASCO is the world’s largest and most influential conference in oncology and biomedicine, attracting clinical experts, scholars, healthcare professionals, pharmaceutical companies, biotech firms, and insurance providers from across the globe. Through cutting-edge clinical research and interdisciplinary collaboration, ASCO drives advances in cancer treatment and improves global health outcomes.
Professor Yen is not only a renowned cancer specialist and scholar but also an active contributor to the biomedical technology industry. His career highlights include serving as Vice President of City of Hope National Medical Center in the United States, Chair of its Oncology Treatment Research Program, and the 9th President of Taipei Medical University (2011–2017). He was inducted as a Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors and a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in 2016. Professor Yen emphasizes the importance of fostering deep and wide-ranging interdisciplinary exchanges and incorporating real-world clinical data into industry practices. He advocates for a two-way approach of "bench to bedside" and "bedside to bench," which he believes will ignite innovative momentum in biomedical science.
Despite increasing human longevity, cancer remains the leading threat to human life and health, as well as a crucial topic in clinical medicine and academia. “Identify problems, study problems, and solve problems,” Professor Yen stated. As both a physician and scholar, he continues to strive for medical innovation, translating laboratory findings into clinical applications while bringing clinical challenges back to the lab for deeper investigation. He believes this cycle of innovation and relay is essential for achieving better outcomes for patients.
Founded in 1964, ASCO is the world’s largest professional organization in clinical oncology, with over 50,000 members from more than 150 countries, including a third who are international members. The FASCO Fellowship, established in 2007, recognizes active members who have made outstanding contributions to the society and awards them its highest honor. The fellowship aims to encourage members to further contribute to the oncology field. The FASCO Fellowship will be formally awarded during the ASCO Annual Meeting, which will take place on May 31, 2025, in Chicago, USA.
(Written by the Office of the Secretariat)