College of Medical Science and Technology Chair Professor Yun Yen honored as FASCO fellow for Pioneering Cancer Research

This is in recognition of his long-term efforts and outstanding achievements in clinical cancer research and promoting ASCO’s educational initiatives.

Expressing his gratitude for the recognition, Dr. Yen states, ” Receiving the FASCO designation is ASCO’s highest accolade. This is extraordinarily significant for me — a person having been committed to and enjoying cancer research and education for 40 years!” ASCO, the world’s largest and most influential professional organization in clinical oncology, boasts over 50,000 members across 150+ countries. Its annual meeting is recognized as the most prestigious global platform for cutting-edge cancer research, bringing together leading oncologists, academics, healthcare professionals, and industry experts to advance cancer treatment and patient care.

Dr. Yen is an esteemed oncologist and scholar, and actively engaged in the biomedical technology industry. He previously served as the Associate Director for Translational Research at the City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Interim Chair of the Department of Medical Oncology at City of Hope, and Chair of the Molecular Pharmacology Department at City of Hope, one of the largest and most advanced cancer research and treatment institutions in the United States, where he also chaired the Cancer Therapeutics Research Program. From 2011 to 2017, he served as the 9th President of TMU. In 2016, Dr. Yen was honored as a Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI) and the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), recognizing his contributions to medical innovation. He advocates for interdisciplinary collaboration and the integration of real-world clinical data into industry to drive biomedical advancements. His “Bench-to-Bedside” and “Bedside-to-Bench” model fosters two-way innovation, accelerating the development of new treatments and improving patient outcomes.

Dr. Yen points out that, while human lifespans continue to grow, cancer remains the leading global health threat , posing persistent challenges for clinical medicine and academic research. Says Yen, “When you see a problem, you research the problem, then you solve the problem!” As both a physician and a scholar, Yen stresses that his mission is to relentlessly pursue medical innovation. This involves translating laboratory discoveries into clinical applications, and bringing unresolved clinical issues back to the laboratory for further exploration. He believes that only through a continuous cycle of innovation can better treatments be developed to enhance patients care and overall healthcare outcomes.