Academia Sinica scholars Chang Mei-hwei, Chung Sun-lin and Lee Wen-hwa will be made fellows by Italy-based World Academy of Sciences (TWAS), according to Taiwan’s top academic institution Feb. 5.
 
Chang Mei-hwei, a professor in the College of Medicine at National Taiwan University’s Department of Pediatrics, was elected for her contributions to medical and health sciences. She is credited with providing the first evidence that hepatitis B vaccines can serve as a preventative measure against certain types of cancer.
 
The professor has made significant achievements in oncology research, greatly benefitting public health, Academia Sinica said. In 2013, Chang was awarded the TWAS Prize in the medicine category.
 
Academia Sinica Institute of Earth Sciences Director Chung is being recognized by TWAS for his extensive research into continental tectonics and magma generation. He received the 2014 TWAS Prize in the field of earth sciences.
 
Lee, president of China Medical University in central Taiwan’s Taichung City, is described by TWAS as a pioneer in the fight against cancer. He was the first scientist to identify the retinoblastoma tumor suppression gene, and has made several breakthroughs regarding genetic susceptibility to breast cancer, according to Academia Sinica.
 
TWAS fellows are among the world’s most accomplished scientists from developing countries or those whose work has had a significant impact in these nations, according to the international institution. The newly elected members will be inducted at the academy’s 28th General Meeting in November.
 
To date, 56 scholars from Taiwan have been elected TWAS fellows, including Republic of China (Taiwan) Vice President Chen Chien-jen, who achieved the honor in 2005 for his work in medical and health sciences. Another notable honoree is former Academia Sinica President Lee Yuan-tseh, who won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1986. (KWS-E)