Jia-Li Chu, was born in Shanghai, China in 1948. His father, a mining engineer and metallurgist, was the manager of a large Chinese conglomerate and was assigned to Taiwan while Jia-Li was an infant. After the civil war between Mao's Communists and Chiang's Nationalists, Jia-Li and his younger brother were sent back to Shanghai in the early 50s in advance of the family's' return. However, the Bamboo Curtain descended preventing Jia-Li's parents and older brother, Philip, from re-entering China. Jia-Li was raised by his uncle and aunt Yin Mo Shen (a famous calligrapher), and his wife, Baoquan Chu in China while his parents eventually moved to America. During the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976), rather than being allowed to go to university, Jia-Li was sent to be “re-educated” on a dairy farm in the countryside. Only in the late 70s after the death of Chairman Mao and arrest of the Gang of Four, could Jia-Li attend the prestigious Fudan University in Shanghai. In 1980, after a 30 year separation from his parents and older brother, Jia-Li finally joined his family in the USA. Jia-Li couldn't speak a word of English on arrival but soon attended St. Johns University in New York to complete his BS degree. Jia-Li was awarded the Gold Key award from St. Johns University on the basis of the his “outstanding scholastic achievement” in Biology. I met Jia-Li in 1984 when he interviewed for a research scientist position in my laboratory at the Hospital for Special Surgery at Cornell University in New York City. I offered him a job on the spot and worked closely with him for the next 22 years. Despite the fact that Jia-Li did not have lab skills in immunology and only rudimentary experience to molecular biology, he picked up these skills in very short order and soon excelled. His performance was so impressive that both the Chief of Rheumatology at HSS, Dr. Charles Christian, and I tried to persuade Jia-Li to study toward a PhD. But after his difficult and prolonged 'training' in China, Jia-Li was reluctant to study further and preferred to devote his time to the laboratory and his family. Jia-Li had two remarkable gifts. First, he was a extremely enjoyable scientist to work with. Second, Jia-Li could get almost any experiment to work. When labmembers were having trouble with techniques, Jia-Li could almost always solve the problem. He had the patience and innate skill to troubleshoot and solve the most difficult challenges. Jia-Li was promoted to senior lab manager and, together with the other HSS research scientists, Andrew Parnassa and Jun-Liang Zhou, formed the backbone of the laboratory that enabled its productivity. Jia-Li loved the outdoors and took an interest in photography. This may explain, in part, why Jia-Li moved with me to the University of Washington, Seattle in 2001. Once again, he set up the laboratory and worked closely with students and fellows to move the science forward. Jia-Li spent many of his weekends hiking in the great North West. In 2007, Ji -Li was diagnosed with cancer. He continued working as long as possible despite taxing therapies. After full time work became impossible Ji-Li continued his interest in the lab and remained upbeat and positive right until his untimely death at the age of 62. Jia-Li will be remembered by all of us who were fortunate enough to work with him. He is survived by his wife, Yanyang, son Victor and brother Philip. Keith Elkon, MD Mannik-Henderson Professor of Medicine Head, Division of Rheumatology, Rm BB561, Mailbox 356428 University of Washington 1959 NE Pacific Street Seattle, WA 9819 --------------------------------------------------------- Below are response letters to Dr. Keith Elkon Thank you for doing this Keith. As you say, we were all always impressed by JL's good nature and ability to get things done so effectively in the lab. He had so many wonderful qualities. I didn't know all the details of his early life but those hardships and remarkably tough challenges explain his equanimity, stoicism, and dedication to duty. With best wishes and sympathy, Akshay -------------------------------------------------------------- Dear Keith, I was very sad after hearing about Jia-Li's untimely passing. I have very fond memories of him at HSS, both as a person and professionally as a scientist. He was one of the nicest and most collaborative, and also most effective, people I remember from HSS at that time. Thanks for sharing some of his remarkable life story. Best wishes to his family. Lionel -------------------------------------------------------------- Keith, Thank you so much for writing these nice words about Jia-Li. He was indeed a very special person. I was one of the fortunate to have to opportunity to work with him and above all I admired his patience. His life history is certainly a lesson for all of us. Eloisa -------------------------------------------------------------