Dr. Ray Wu was a true scholar in the world and a strong advocate for life sciences throughout Asia. In the 1970s, he developed the first method for DNA sequencing and pioneered recombinant DNA technology. He devoted later part of his scientific career to genetic engineering of rice, which feeds most of the world population.

Dr. Ray Wu played numerous advisory roles to Chinese and Taiwan governments, as well as academic institutions. In particular, he initiated an exchange program, the CUSBEA (China-United States Biology and Biochemistry Examinations and Applications) Program, in the 1980s which brought over 400 students from China to pursue Ph.D. degrees in the US, thus leading the way for Chinese students to study life sciences abroad and return to work in China.

Dr. Ray Wu’s devotion to fostering careers of young scientists went far beyond the exchange program and touched people at all levels of professional quest. To carry on this legacy, the Ray Wu Prize is dedicated in his honor to promote life science research conducted by graduate students in mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Singapore.