1986 Award Recipient

Chang, Thomas Ming Swi, MD (Artificial Cells in Medicine)

Chang, Thomas Ming Swi, MD (McGill University, Montreal, Quebec)
Invention of artificial cells in medical research

Educational Background
Dr. Chang was born in Swatow, China, in 1933. He studied at the Diocesan Boy’s School in Hong Kong, and subsequently obtained all his degrees at McGill University: B.Sc. Honours (Physiology) in 1957; M.D.C.M. in 1961; and Ph.D. in 1965. He obtained his F.R.C.P.C. in 1972.

Career Development
Dr. Chang has written 14 books, and 300 full papers. He owns 5 patents for the artificial cells both in Canada and the U.S.A. He has had 200 lectureships, and was the first Incentive Lecturer to be invited to Sweden in 1964. He is currently sitting on the editorial boards of at least 7 prestigious journals. He has been listed in Marquis Who’s Who since 1971, and also in Canada’s Who’s Who. He has been awarded the Clemson Award in 1980 at the World Conference on Biomaterials. In 1985, his research center was awarded the Virage Award by the Province of Quebec, designating it also as a Center of Excellence in research.

Major Contributions
Dr. Chang is currently the director of the Artificial Cells and Organs Research Center at McGill University. He is also a Professor of both Medicine and Physiology, as well as an Associate in Chemistry and Chemical Engineering at McGill. Dr. Chang is currently working on artificial cells, artificial organs (liver, kidney), detoxification, and removal of unwanted substances from organs. His research includes also enzymes, biotechnology and blood substitutes.

Other Honorary
Dr. Chang is also very involved in community work. He was the first chairman of the Medical Board of the Montreal Chinese Hospital, and he is also on the Board of Directors of his church.