NCKU Assistant Professor receives prestigious Ting Nong Award

Dr. Ping-Yen Liu, the Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine at National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) and Attending Physician of National Cheng-Kung University Hospital, Taiwan, received Ting Nong Award from Taiwan Society of Cardiology.

“His enthusiasm for research is palpable and is complemented by a thoughtful, energetic ad rigorous approach to his studies. This should bode very well for his continued productivity and success as an independent scientist in Taiwan”

Since the establishment of the prestigious Ting Nong Award twenty years ago, it was the first time that a young doctor in Southern Taiwan hospital received the award. The award signifies the personal achievements of Dr. Ping-Yen Liu and symbolizes the acknowledgement of the efforts of National Cheng Kung University Hospital in cardiology.

President Michael Ming-Chiao Lai of National Cheng Kung University recognized the passion and attitude of Dr. Ping-Yen Liu and expected him to continue to strive for the welfare of human beings.

President Lai expressed, "Dr. Liu is one of the most outstanding physician-scientists in our university. I have come to know Dr. Liu five years ago when he served as my father's cardiologist. His caring of patients greatly impressed me. I knew at that time Dr. Liu is an excellent physician and cardiology specialist. He was pursuing a Ph.D degree in the Institute of Clinical Medicine in his spare time. Afterwards, he was accepted by Dr. James Kuang-Jan Liao of Harvard University as a postdoctoral fellow. It is a highly sought-after opportunity because only the very best can be accepted into Dr. Liao's laboratory. Dr. Liu is the epitome of physician-scientist, exhibiting all the qualities of a good clinical scientist."

Upon receiving the Ting Nong Award, Dr. Ping-Yen Liu gave all the credits to his mentors, colleagues as well as families. He said, "I'm grateful for the guidance of my mentor, Prof. Jyh-Hong Chen, and my supervisor, Prof. James Liao, from Harvard University, allowing me to finish my basic and clinical experiments within two years. I'm also thankful for the assistance of my colleagues from the Department of International Medicine at National Cheng Kung University Hospital as well as the support and encouragement of President Michael Ming-Chiao Lai, former Dean Chyi-Her Lin of College of Medicine and present Dean Pin-Wen Lin of College of Medicine, giving me time to focus on my patients, research, teaching as well as family. The journey is tough but fruitful. Finally, I would like to dedicate this award to my father."

Dr. Ping-Wen Liu stated, "The award is definitely the best encouragement for a cardiologist who undertakes teaching, research and service. Prof. Jyh-Hong Chen, the former Dean of National Cheng Kung University Hospital, has not only passed down his clinical experience, he's also the light of my scientific research. Dr. Chen has once told me, 'Opportunities will always be there for those who are prepared.' I often urge myself and expect myself to continue to make progress in my research, pursue higher academic achievements and contribute to the future disease prevention and treatment of human beings."

Prof. Jyh-Hong Chen, the former Dean of National Cheng Kung University Hospital, was extremely pleased to see his favorite pupil receiving the Ting Nong Award. He praised Dr. Ping-Yen Liu to be a young and outstanding physician and researcher. He again used the words "opportunities will always be there for those who are prepared" to encourage Dr. Liu and expected him to grasp every opportunity and make self-breakthrough.

Born in 1969, Dr. Ping-Yen Liu, the Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine at National Cheng Kung University and Attending Physician of National Cheng-Kung University Hospital, received his doctoral degree from National Cheng Kung University in 2005 and completed his postdoctoral training in the Vascular Medicine Research Unit at Brigham & Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School in Boston from 2006 to 2008.

Dr. Liu's research focuses on the role of RHO kinase (ROCK) in cardiovascular and metabolic disease. He has shown that leukocyte ROCK activity is elevated in Taiwanese subjects with metabolic syndrome in Journal of American College of Cardiology, 2007. He was also the first to show that statins could improve endothelial function through inhibition of ROCK activity and not LDL lowering in Circulation, 2008.

In addition, Dr. Liu has helped developed the ROCK conditional mice in Dr. James Liao's laboratory and is currently performing studies at National Cheng Kung University to investigate the role of ROCK in vascular injury, angiogenesis and aortic stiffness.

Dr. Ping-Yen Liu has won numerous international and national awards and competitions, including Young Investigator Award of Taiwan Society of Cardiology in 2003, Best Young Investigator Faculty Award of Internal Medicine, National Cheng-Kung University Medical Center, in 2003, Best Poster Award of Taiwan Society of Internal Medicine from 2003 to 2007, Best Article of Taiwan Society of Cardiology in 2007, Research and Grant Award in Medical School of NCKU, from 2007 to 2009, Young Investigator Award in International Society of Atherosclerosis, Boston MA, in 2009, and a 5-years grant of Scientist Physician Award from National Health Research Institute in Taiwan, from 2005 to 2010.

"His enthusiasm for research is palpable and is complemented by a thoughtful, energetic ad rigorous approach to his studies. This should bode very well for his continued productivity and success as an independent scientist in Taiwan," Dr. James Liao emphasized in his recommendation letter.