Hsian-Rong Tseng, a 53-year-old scholar born in Taiwan‘s Pingtung area, showcases a story of extraordinary determination and resilience. During his high school years in his home soil in Pingtung, Tseng was not an exemplary student academically, but he had a persistent interest in chemistry.
His remarkable journey took root when his high school teacher, Chang Ya-hsiung, encouraged him to participate in a science fair, leading him to win second place nationally. Though initially aspiring to be directly admitted to college, a health issue during an intelligence test led to a detour — scoring only 19 in English on the college entrance exam and receiving a low IQ score of 75.
The rise to academic excellence
Undeterred by early setbacks, Hsian-Rong Tseng persevered and went on to study in the Department of Chemistry at Tunghai University. Following his undying passion for chemistry, he earned his Master’s and Doctorate from the prestigious National Taiwan University. His academic excellence did not go unnoticed.
In 2000, he joined the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) as a postdoctoral researcher in the Chemistry Department, where his outstanding performance earned him the distinguished “Postdoctoral Researcher Chancellor’s Award.” His dedication and hard work quickly led to him securing a full-time position in the Department of Molecular Pharmacology. In 2013, he was promoted to the rank of full professor.
Breaking new ground in cancer research
Today, Professor Hsian-Rong Tseng’s influence extends far beyond his early struggles with the English language. He holds prestigious positions at UCLA’s School of Medicine in the Department of Molecular Pharmacology and California NanoSystems Institute. Tseng is deeply involved in advancing cancer screening technologies and has collaborated with teams from Taiwan’s National Health Research Institutes and Cathay General Hospital on clinical trials, developing non-invasive NanoVelcro Chips, which hold promise for prenatal diagnostics.
Nurturing future talent
In his commitment to contributing to his homeland, Tseng has actively opened avenues for Taiwanese medical students in the United States. In collaboration with Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, he has been instrumental in establishing a Translational Cancer Medicine program for Taiwanese students, offering them the same privileges as postdoctoral researchers.
Tseng has mentored several Taiwanese medical students in this innovative research fellowship.
Hsian-Rong Tseng’s recognition and contributions
In December 2018, Hsian-Rong Tseng received the prestigious honor of being elected as an outstanding alumnus by his alma mater, Pingtung High School. Invited back to his roots, he shared his wisdom and experiences during the school’s anniversary celebrations, emphasizing the importance of overcoming setbacks and persisting through challenges.
Tseng’s early struggles with English did not define his potential; instead, he believed in relentless effort and embraced every opportunity to improve, including attending parties to socialize and practicing the language through meaningful conversations.
An inspiration
Hsian-Rong Tseng’s story shows that early academic scores do not necessarily determine one’s future. His journey from scoring minimally in an English exam to becoming a tenured professor in one of the leading universities in the world is not just inspiring. It is a powerful message that perseverance and determination can take you to new heights.
By embracing his failures as stepping stones, Hsian-Rong Tseng transformed his life, contributing significantly to cancer research and inspiring the next generation of scientists and medical professionals.
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