People

SRI's innovative thinking depends directly on the individuals who work here. Meet members of our team and learn why they joined SRI - you may discover that you would like to join the team, too. Visit Careers @ SRI for descriptions of current openings.

Focus @ SRI:
Drug discovery and development for cancer prevention and treatment

Title:
Program Director, Medicinal Chemistry Department

Day in the Life @ SRI:
Every day is a challenge. Besides experience and analysis, drug design needs lots of imagination and creativity. The process of drug development is a very exciting cycle that includes idea generating, testing, revising, retesting, and realizing. It involves a lot of molecular modeling as well as lab work. I never get tired of it. I also spend lots of time writing proposals and reading. When a proposal due date is near, my "day in the Life @ SRI" does not stop at 6:00 p.m. It extends to "midnight @ home."

Before SRI:
I joined SRI directly after I earned my Ph.D. SRI is an ideal place for any newly graduated student intending to build his or her career in a research-encouraging environment.

Academics:
Ph.D. in organic chemistry, Florida State University

Why SRI?:
I joined SRI by chance, but most important, I chose to stay. SRI offers opportunity to anyone who is seeking to establish a career in research.

Inspiration (what motivates you):
I like the feeling of satisfaction, especially when I finally accomplish or conquer a very challenging task, which motivates me to search for the next "mission impossible."

Away from the Office:
My son is always my first priority, and it is a joy to watch him grow up every day. If I have some personal time left, I enjoy sitting alone, having a cup of coffee, and dreaming about whatever I like.

Languages:
Mandarin and Taiwanese

Proudest Accomplishment:
I own three patents. The first patent led to a drug now on the market. The second patent involves a compound currently in Phase II clinical trials. My third patent includes a compound that was recently chosen by the National Cancer Institute for its Rapid Access to Preventive Intervention Development (RAPID) program for clinical development as a cancer preventive agent.

Words of Wisdom for New SRI Team Members:
It's great to get paid to do what you enjoy the most.

Favorites:
I like to watch animation, where imagination and creativity are unlimited.