University Park -- T. Ming Chu Receives 2006 GSAS Humanitarian Award
Penn
State alumnus T. Ming Chu, 67’ Ph.D. in biochemistry, is the recipient of
the 2006 Graduate School Alumni Society (GSAS) Humanitarian Award. Dr. Chu
was selected to receive this award in recognition of his dedicated efforts
to translate the discovery of a prostate specific antigen into the development
of the PSA test and its global application to the early detection of prostate
cancer.
Dr. Chu is an early pioneer in using tumor cell products for the diagnosis and therapy of cancer. He has published more than 300 papers on cancer research and holds 12 patents on the diagnosis and therapy of prostate and breast cancers and on the detection of drug-resistant cancer cells. Most significantly, Dr. Chu discovered the prostate specific antigen and developed the widely acclaimed prostate cancer detection test.
The PSA test has been available to the public since 1986, when it was approved by the FDA for clinical use, and is recommended by the American Cancer Society for annual screening in early detection of prostate cancer. In the United States alone, it is estimated that twenty million PSA tests are run each year, and perhaps a total of one billion tests have been performed worldwide.
Dr. Chu’s groundbreaking research has been heralded as one of the most important developments in prostate oncology in the last century and a considerable contribution to humanity.
Dr. Chu graduated from the National Taiwan University in 1961 and came to the United States as a graduate student in 1963. Two years later, he earned his master’s degree from North Carolina State University, and in 1967, he received his doctorate in biochemistry from Penn State.
Progressing in his career, Dr. Chu became the director of cancer research at Roswell Park Cancer Institute in 1977, as well as professor of experimental pathology at the State University of New York at Buffalo. Over the life of his career, Dr. Chu has trained over fifty graduate and postdoctoral students, and currently, he is professor emeritus of cancer pathology and prevention.
The GSAS Humanitarian Award was established to recognize a graduate degree alumnus or alumna who has made a positive societal impact on the welfare of humankind. Recipients of the award are recognized at the GSAS Spring Social and Recognition Program, which takes place during the Graduate Exhibition weekend.
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PR Contact:
Marilyn B. Engle
mbengle@psu.edu
814-863-8117
May 15, 2006