本書是美籍台人知名國際生技醫學家陳振炎博士的英文自傳。這位來自台中的台灣囡仔，出生於1940 年代日據時代，幼年四歲喪母，爾後經歷病痛、貧困、戰爭，看遍人生百態，在窮困中的年代卻積極奮鬥；在東海大學結識了相知一生的靈魂伴侶──後來成為陳夫人的陳阮明珠（Pearl Chen），兩人秉持著對生物醫學的喜愛，開啟了一生亦師亦友的人生樂章。陳振炎博士台大醫學院畢業後，取得美國北卡羅來納大學教堂山分校（UNC）醫學院深造的機會，夫妻倆在美國生醫界取得許多重要的生物醫學專利，兩人在世界一流的醫學研究機構──美國國立衛生研究院 （NIH）──與頂尖的醫生和研究人員一起工作，以改善人類健康，創造福祉為己任。
“Game Changer”一詞來自一個科學實驗。如果一項實驗不起作用，則重新設計實驗並再次進行，直到實驗有效。實驗中的變化可以說是“改變遊戲規則”。就像中國的老諺語：“天助自助者也！”
""Life for a young Taiwanese boy growing up in a Japanese-controlled country in the 1940s was not easy. He was certainly not born with a silver spoon in his mouth. At a vulnerable age of only four, he would lose his mother to a skin infection that in today’s world would have been easily treated with a trip to the doctor’s office. War, poverty, and the daily struggle to survive would set the stage for a real life Cinderella story complete with a harsh stepmother, a fairy godmother, and a beautiful princess who would transform his world.
This is the awe-inspiring life story of Dr. Michael Cheng-Yien Chen, a man who was able to endure the hardships of loss, poverty, and war to discover his gift of academic excellence, find his soulmate, and pursue the American dream. Dr. Chen’s work ethic comes from the poor environment he grew up in and from his experiences struggling to promote himself and his career. His American Dream starts from his campus life in the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC), and prospers on his career life in National Institutes of Health (NIH) - a world-class medical research institute where top doctors and researchers work together to improve human health.
The phrase “Game Changer” comes from a scientific experiment. If one experiment does not work, then redesign the experiment and do it again until the experiment works. The changes in the experiment are what “Changes the Game” so to speak. Just like the old Chinese proverb: “God will help a person who helps himself first!”""
My life story is one of a first-generation immigrant who left Taiwan for further education and a new life in the United States. Naturally, my grandchildren are interested in understanding how their grandparents came from a country so different from the United States, the country of birth for all of my grandchildren. In addition, they want to know how their grandparents adapted to life in the US and built successful careers. This is my opportunity to write the story of my childhood, education, immigration and later life, so that my children, grandchildren, and future generations will have a better understanding of their roots. It is also an important occasion to impart some of my advice and perspective on how they can be successful individuals and members of the world in which they live.
The writing of this story happens to coincide with my fiftieth wedding anniversary, March 8, 2014. I dedicate this story to my wife, Pearl, my other half. We have lived and worked together for so many years to raise a family and make our dreams become a reality. Stories are always winners because stories are the glue that holds families together. The best way to connect with children and grandchildren is by telling stories.
My life started with a lot of hardship and I struggled to adapt to the difficult environment. I overcame the hardship and my story ends happily. I’d like to share some of my advice to give my future generations guidance and inspiration.
―Michael Cheng-Yien Chen, PhD
▲Michael C. Chen Professional Experience and Recognition▲
Vice President SynAm Vaccine Inc. Gaithersburg, MD 2006-2011
Senior Scientist- Kelly Services National Institute of Health, NIH Bethesda, MD 2004-2006
Vice President SynAm Vaccine Inc. Rockville, MD 2000-2004
Senior Scientist-SAIC Services National Cancer Institute, NIH Frederick, MD 2001-2003
Senior Scientist EpiGenesis Pharmaceuticals Inc. Cranberry, NJ 1998-1999
Patent Examiner Patent and Trademark Office Crystal City VA 1996-1997
Expert/ Special Expert National Cancer Institute NIH Bethesda, MD 1991-1996
Research Associate Professor Uniformed Service University of the Health Sciences Bethesda, MD 1990-1991
Vice President/ Senior Vice President America BioTechnology Inc. Cambridge, MA 1988-1990
Senior Scientist, Imclone Inc. NY 1987-1988
Section Head, BioTechnica International Inc. Cambridge, MA 1983-1987
Senior Scientist, Abbott Laboratories, Abbott Park, Illinois 1977-1980
Fellow, Staff Fellow, Senior Staff Fellow, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health, Bethesda, MD 1972-1977
Doctor of Philosophy, Medical School, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC 1968-1972
Instructor, Department of Bacteriology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan 1967-1968
Master of Medicine, School of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan 1965-1967
Teaching Assistant, Department of Bacteriology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan 1963-1965
Second Lieutenant, Taichung Second Army Training Center, Taichung, Taiwan 1962-1963
Bachelor of Science, College of Science, Tunghai University, Taichung, Taiwan 1958-1962
▲Michael C. Chen Patents▲
Canada Patent No. 2504938 Chen, Michael C., Chiou, Chuang-Jiun, Li., Zhongming, and Chen, Dong-Sheng. Compositions and methods for treating or preventing pneumococcal infection, 2011
Australian Patent No. 2003291365 Chen, Michael C., Chiou, Chuang-Jiun, Li., Zhongming, and Chen, Dong-Sheng. Compositions and methods for treating or preventing pneumococcal infection, 2009
US Patent No. 7,585,669 Chen, Michael C., Chiou, Chuang-Jiun, Li., Zhongming, and Chen, Dong-Sheng. Compositions and methods for treating or preventing pneumococcal infection, 2009
Taiwan Patent No. 92131025 Chen, Michael C., Chiou, Chuang-Jiun, Li., Zhongming, and Chen, Dong-Sheng. Compositions and methods for treating or preventing pneumococcal infection, 2009
China Patent No. ZL 200380102758.6 Chen, Michael C., Chiou, Chuang-Jiun, Li., Zhongming, and Chen, Dong-Sheng. Compositions and methods for treating or preventing pneumococcal infection, 2008
US Patent No.7,217,791 Chen, Michael C., Chiou, Chuang-Jiun, Li., Zhongming, and Chen, Dong-Sheng. Compositions and methods for treating or preventing pneumococcal infection, 2007
Singapore Patent No.112211 Chen, Michael C., Chiou, Chuang-Jiun, Li., Zhongming, and Chen, Dong-Sheng. Compositions and methods for treating or preventing pneumococcal infection, 2007
International Publication Number WO 2004/043376 Chen, Michael C., Chiou, Chuang-Jiun, Li., Zhongming, and Chen, Dong-Sheng. Compositions and methods for treating or preventing pneumococcal infection, 2004
US Patent No. 5,422,267 R.R. Yocum, R.S. Daves, and M.C. Chen. Industrial yeast comprising an integrated glucoamylase gene, 1995
Canadian Patent No. 1,316,472 R.R. Yocum, R.S. Daves, and M.C. Chen. Yeast expressing glucoamylase, 1993
Canadian Patent No. 1,282,357 M.C. Chen, P.C. Chen and L.C. Klotz. Detection of human cells by nucleic acid hybridization, 1991
European Patent Publication No. 003787B1 P.P Hung, S.G. Lee, R. Roychoudhury, B.J. Ratzkin, M.C. Chen and W.J. Shrenk. Recombinant deoxyribonucleic acid which codes for plasminogen activator and method of making plasminogen activator protein therefrom, 1991
US Patent No. 4,866,167 M.C. Chen, P.C. Chen, and L.C. Klotz. Detection of human oral cells by nucleic acid hybridization, 1989
European Patent Application No. 86903851.3 R.R. Yocum, R.
“Game Changer”一詞來自一個科學實驗。如果一項實驗不起作用，則重新設計實驗並再次進行，直到實驗有效。實驗中的變化可以說是“改變遊戲規則”。就像中國的老諺語：“天助自助者也！”
""Life for a young Taiwanese boy growing up in a Japanese-controlled country in the 1940s was not easy. He was certainly not born with a silver spoon in his mouth. At a vulnerable age of only four, he would lose his mother to a skin infection that in today’s world would have been easily treated with a trip to the doctor’s office. War, poverty, and the daily struggle to survive would set the stage for a real life Cinderella story complete with a harsh stepmother, a fairy godmother, and a beautiful princess who would transform his world.
This is the awe-inspiring life story of Dr. Michael Cheng-Yien Chen, a man who was able to endure the hardships of loss, poverty, and war to discover his gift of academic excellence, find his soulmate, and pursue the American dream. Dr. Chen’s work ethic comes from the poor environment he grew up in and from his experiences struggling to promote himself and his career. His American Dream starts from his campus life in the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC), and prospers on his career life in National Institutes of Health (NIH) - a world-class medical research institute where top doctors and researchers work together to improve human health.
The phrase “Game Changer” comes from a scientific experiment. If one experiment does not work, then redesign the experiment and do it again until the experiment works. The changes in the experiment are what “Changes the Game” so to speak. Just like the old Chinese proverb: “God will help a person who helps himself first!”""
My life story is one of a first-generation immigrant who left Taiwan for further education and a new life in the United States. Naturally, my grandchildren are interested in understanding how their grandparents came from a country so different from the United States, the country of birth for all of my grandchildren. In addition, they want to know how their grandparents adapted to life in the US and built successful careers. This is my opportunity to write the story of my childhood, education, immigration and later life, so that my children, grandchildren, and future generations will have a better understanding of their roots. It is also an important occasion to impart some of my advice and perspective on how they can be successful individuals and members of the world in which they live.
The writing of this story happens to coincide with my fiftieth wedding anniversary, March 8, 2014. I dedicate this story to my wife, Pearl, my other half. We have lived and worked together for so many years to raise a family and make our dreams become a reality. Stories are always winners because stories are the glue that holds families together. The best way to connect with children and grandchildren is by telling stories.
My life started with a lot of hardship and I struggled to adapt to the difficult environment. I overcame the hardship and my story ends happily. I’d like to share some of my advice to give my future generations guidance and inspiration.
―Michael Cheng-Yien Chen, PhD
▲Michael C. Chen Professional Experience and Recognition▲
Vice President SynAm Vaccine Inc. Gaithersburg, MD 2006-2011
Senior Scientist- Kelly Services National Institute of Health, NIH Bethesda, MD 2004-2006
Vice President SynAm Vaccine Inc. Rockville, MD 2000-2004
Senior Scientist-SAIC Services National Cancer Institute, NIH Frederick, MD 2001-2003
Senior Scientist EpiGenesis Pharmaceuticals Inc. Cranberry, NJ 1998-1999
Patent Examiner Patent and Trademark Office Crystal City VA 1996-1997
Expert/ Special Expert National Cancer Institute NIH Bethesda, MD 1991-1996
Research Associate Professor Uniformed Service University of the Health Sciences Bethesda, MD 1990-1991
Vice President/ Senior Vice President America BioTechnology Inc. Cambridge, MA 1988-1990
Senior Scientist, Imclone Inc. NY 1987-1988
Section Head, BioTechnica International Inc. Cambridge, MA 1983-1987
Senior Scientist, Abbott Laboratories, Abbott Park, Illinois 1977-1980
Fellow, Staff Fellow, Senior Staff Fellow, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health, Bethesda, MD 1972-1977
Doctor of Philosophy, Medical School, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC 1968-1972
Instructor, Department of Bacteriology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan 1967-1968
Master of Medicine, School of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan 1965-1967
Teaching Assistant, Department of Bacteriology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan 1963-1965
Second Lieutenant, Taichung Second Army Training Center, Taichung, Taiwan 1962-1963
Bachelor of Science, College of Science, Tunghai University, Taichung, Taiwan 1958-1962
▲Michael C. Chen Patents▲
Canada Patent No. 2504938 Chen, Michael C., Chiou, Chuang-Jiun, Li., Zhongming, and Chen, Dong-Sheng. Compositions and methods for treating or preventing pneumococcal infection, 2011
Australian Patent No. 2003291365 Chen, Michael C., Chiou, Chuang-Jiun, Li., Zhongming, and Chen, Dong-Sheng. Compositions and methods for treating or preventing pneumococcal infection, 2009
US Patent No. 7,585,669 Chen, Michael C., Chiou, Chuang-Jiun, Li., Zhongming, and Chen, Dong-Sheng. Compositions and methods for treating or preventing pneumococcal infection, 2009
Taiwan Patent No. 92131025 Chen, Michael C., Chiou, Chuang-Jiun, Li., Zhongming, and Chen, Dong-Sheng. Compositions and methods for treating or preventing pneumococcal infection, 2009
China Patent No. ZL 200380102758.6 Chen, Michael C., Chiou, Chuang-Jiun, Li., Zhongming, and Chen, Dong-Sheng. Compositions and methods for treating or preventing pneumococcal infection, 2008
US Patent No.7,217,791 Chen, Michael C., Chiou, Chuang-Jiun, Li., Zhongming, and Chen, Dong-Sheng. Compositions and methods for treating or preventing pneumococcal infection, 2007
Singapore Patent No.112211 Chen, Michael C., Chiou, Chuang-Jiun, Li., Zhongming, and Chen, Dong-Sheng. Compositions and methods for treating or preventing pneumococcal infection, 2007
International Publication Number WO 2004/043376 Chen, Michael C., Chiou, Chuang-Jiun, Li., Zhongming, and Chen, Dong-Sheng. Compositions and methods for treating or preventing pneumococcal infection, 2004
US Patent No. 5,422,267 R.R. Yocum, R.S. Daves, and M.C. Chen. Industrial yeast comprising an integrated glucoamylase gene, 1995
Canadian Patent No. 1,316,472 R.R. Yocum, R.S. Daves, and M.C. Chen. Yeast expressing glucoamylase, 1993
Canadian Patent No. 1,282,357 M.C. Chen, P.C. Chen and L.C. Klotz. Detection of human cells by nucleic acid hybridization, 1991
European Patent Publication No. 003787B1 P.P Hung, S.G. Lee, R. Roychoudhury, B.J. Ratzkin, M.C. Chen and W.J. Shrenk. Recombinant deoxyribonucleic acid which codes for plasminogen activator and method of making plasminogen activator protein therefrom, 1991
US Patent No. 4,866,167 M.C. Chen, P.C. Chen, and L.C. Klotz. Detection of human oral cells by nucleic acid hybridization, 1989
European Patent Application No. 86903851.3 R.R. Yocum, R.