History of the Chinese Biological Investigator Society

Dr. Ray Wu's contribution and leadership

The Chinese Biological Investigator Society is formerly known as Ray Wu Society, in honoring Dr. Ray Wu's significant contributions in the advancement of Biochemistry and Plant Biotechnology, as well as his outstanding leadership in developing the Sino-America overseas student program. In the early 80s, Dr. Wu initiated and organized a well-known and highly successful Chinese overseas student program -- CUSBEA (China-United States Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Examination and Administration). This program, which selected gifted young Chinese students through intensified screening examinations, operated 8 years (1982-1989) and provided the US with a total of about 400 students. The majority of them later, through their professional developments, made great career achievements and outstanding contributions to the progress of the life sciences. In the past, the CUSBEA program also acted as one of the major autogenous professional platforms for biologists from China to communicate and interact in the States, as well as internationally.

	When East Meets West (pdf)
	The CUSBEA Program: Twenty Years After (pdf)

Formation of the Society

Despite the professional development of the CUSBEA students and growth of other Chinese overseas biologists who also made great successes in their career development, it became obvious that there was a strong unmet need to further expand and formalize a powerful platform from which more effective interactions and collaborations, among advanced Chinese life-science professionals of either academics or industries, could stem. In the fall of 1997, Dr. Chris Tan, the head of the Molecular Biology Institute in Singapore, proposed to set up a fund in Dr. Ray Wu's name to recognize his contributions to the academic exchange between China and the US. A quick positive response was reflected from American Chinese scholars with a further proposal to form a professional society. This initiative spread rapidly and widely throughout the existing networks of Chinese life-science professionals. In January of 1998, with the participation of Dr. Ray Wu and high-level delegates from both the Chinese Academy of Sciences and American Chinese Embassy, more than 100 PI/PLs representing the new generation of Chinese biologists got together at UCLA to form the Ray Wu Society. The conference was very successful and included an outstanding symposium with panel discussions of advanced life science topics and an election of the officers and executives for CBI Society.

Significance and potential impact of CBI Society

The significance of CBI Society is not only demonstrated by the uniqueness of its organization and mission, but is also reflected by the inclusion of outstanding scientists who are leaders in diversified fields. It is well known that Chinese scientists are generally diligent and productive. They serve as indispensable work forces in the development of life sciences and biotechnology in both academic and industry settings. This is evident from their authorship in top-rated journals and recognition and frequent appearances at premier scientific meetings. Tightly connected with the Chinese overseas scholars and with the rich human-resource pool in China, CBI Society will play a critical role in organizing and promoting professional interactions and collaborations among Chinese scholars, at home and overseas, together with their American and international colleagues.

CBI Society began in January 1998. The outcomes of the activities of CBI Society and its long-term proactive impact on the advancements of the life sciences can not be over-estimated. CBI Society stems from a solid base of successes in fostering young scientists and of significant contributions to science and biotechnology. CBI Society will grow steadily and operate productively to live up to its great expectations.