Obituary

Dr. Zhen YAO, is a renowned cell biologist, an Academician of Chinese Academy of Sciences, former deputy director of the Shanghai Institute of Cell Biology, the 2nd and 6th President of the Chinese Society of Cell Biology (CSCB), Chairman of the 1st League of Asian-Pacific Cell Biology Society, and Editor-in-Chief of Cell Research, passed away on November 4, 2005 in Shanghai East China Hospital, at the age of 90. Dr. Yao was born on 18th October, 1915, in Changshu, Jiangsu province. He is survived by his wife, Jing DING, son, Li Xing YAO, and granddaughter, QinYi YAO.

 

During his research career, Dr. Yao made momentous discoveries on cell differentiation, development as well as experimental tumor biology. His legacy is also exemplified by his great vision on globalization of biomedical research and creation of the journal Cell Research, which has become the most influential academic periodicals of life sciences in China and one of the most cited cell biology journals in the world. Dr. Yao was a superb teacher, he mentored numerous cell biologists, and many of them are current leaders in their fields in China and the world.

 

Dr. Yao´s research career was heavily influenced during his graduate school days by Professor CH Waddington, who supervised his Ph.D. research on cytochemistry of Drosophila development from 1946 to 1949 at the Institute of Animal Genetics, Edinburgh University, Scotland, UK. He returned to China in October 1949 and selflessly joined the rebuilding of a new society warmheartedly. He had been ceaselessly working for his beloved motherland. His passionate devotion to his believes and his pursuits lasted till the end of his life, a legacy that will continue to benefit modern science.

 

A farewell rite will be held at 10:00 am on November 14th at the Great Hall of LongHua Funeral Home. All telegrams, letters and telephones of condolences should go to funeral arrangement committee.

 

The committee of the funeral arrangement for Dr. Zhen YAO

November 4, 2005

 

Address: 320 Yueyang Road, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology

Phone: 021-54921008 Mr. Zhengwei QIN, Mr. Linping BAO

Fax: 021-54921011, E-mail:sibcb@sibs.ac.cn, cellres@sunm.shcnc.ac.cn