Ray Wu's family has decided on the date of the memorial service. It will be held on June 15th between 2:00 and 4:00 PM at Kendal in Ithaca, NY.
It is with great grief that we relay to you the news that Dr. Ray Wu, Liberty Hyde Bailey Professor of Molecular Biology and Genetics at Cornell University, passed away Sunday, February 10, 2008 at the age of 79. Dr. Wu was a pioneer in DNA sequencing and recombinant DNA technology, a renowned scientist in rice genetic engineering, a strong and long time advocate for scientific research and education in China, and most of all, a genuine mentor and true friend to so many of us.
Dr. Wu not only made major scientific discoveries in the field of DNA biochemistry and plant biology, but also worked tirelessly in fostering the careers of young people and promoting life sciences around the globe. It is through his vision and hard work that the China and United States Biochemistry Examination and Application (CUSBEA) Program was initiated in 1982, which brought 425 young Chinese students to the United States for their graduate education. Dr. Wu's leadership, inspiration and now legacy has had and will continue to have a long lasting impact on us as we carry on our scientific pursuit, maintain the collegiality and friendship he fostered, and support science research and education in China.
While his passing represents a tremendous loss for the scientific community, Dr. Wu's life embodies a relentless pursuit in promoting knowledge and education and is one that should be celebrated. A memorial symposium will be held on October 3 and 4, 2008 at Cornell University, Ithaca, New York. More detailed information will follow shortly.
There will be another Memorial Symposium in honor of Dr. Ray Wu on July 10, 2008 at Peking University. The symposium will be focused on plant molecular biology and agrobiotechnology, followed by a 5-day summer course on plant developmental and molecular biology. The symposium and summer course, co-sponsored by the Ray Wu Society (now known as the Chinese Biological Investigators Society (CBIS)), were initiated in 1998 at Peking University.
Many of you may wish to express your personal feelings and condolences. Peking University has set up a website to commemorate Dr. Ray Wu (http://www.bio.pku.edu.cn) or (http://hi.baidu.com/pkuwurui). This link allows uploading of photos, essays, and other relevant materials. All those who wish to pay tribute to Dr. Ray Wu are encouraged to visit this website and contribute. Please note that currently the website is in Chinese, but an English version is forthcoming.
"The Ray Wu Graduate Fellowship in Molecular Biology and Genetics" was established to help support a first-year graduate student in the Field of Molecular Biology and Genetics at Cornell University. For those who wish to send a donation, please make your checks payable to "Cornell University" and indicate in the memo portion, or in a separate letter, that it's for The Ray Wu Graduate Fellowship. The address to send donations to is as follows:
The Ray Wu Graduate Fellowship in Molecular Biology & Genetics
c/o Michael P. Riley
Associate Dean of Alumni Affairs & Development at CALS
Cornell University
272 Roberts Hall
Ithaca, NY 14853
Donations in memory of Ray Wu may be sent to the American Heart Association.
Under the guidance of the Chinese Biological Investigators Society (CBIS), a Fund to commemorate Ray Wu will be established to receive donations and to support the causes that he cared deeply about. CBIS will play a major role in the Fund, although it will be governed by a Board that is different from that of CBIS. Details of the Fund will be worked out in the coming weeks.
Donations to the Ray Wu Fund can be made to an escrow account in CBIS. If you make a donation, please make your check payable to the "Chinese Biological Investigators Society" and be sure to mark your check with "Ray Wu Fund". CBIS will deposit all donations into the escrow account and will transfer all money to the Ray Wu Fund once it is fully established. Please send the check to:
Dr. Lin Mei
Program of Developmental and Regenerative Neurobiology
Institute of Molecular Medicine and Genetics
1120 15th Street, CB 2803
Medical College of Georgia
Augusta, GA 30912
Please include your return address so that CBIS can send a receipt to you for tax deduction purposes.