Education
McGill University.
McGill University.
In 1957, while an undergraduate at McGill University he invented the world"s first artificial cell. Working with improvised materials like perfume atomizers inside his dorm room turned laboratory, Chang managed to create a permeable plastic sack that would effectively carry haemoglobin almost as effectively as a natural blood cell. He went on to complete his Bachelor of Science
(1957), Doctor of Medicine (1961), and Doctor of Philosophy (1965) degrees at McGill.
In the late 1960s he discovered enzymes carried by artificial cells could correct some metabolic disorders and also developed charcoal-filled cells to treat drug poisoning. The Canadian Academy of Health Sciences states, "Doctor Chang’s original ideas were years ahead of the modern era of nanotechnology, regenerative medicine, gene therapy, stem cell/cell therapy and blood substitutes.
Evidence of his stature within the international scientific community was confirmed by two nominations for the Nobel Prize". Doctor Chang has remained resolutely focused on science, and largely indifferent to the commercial aspects of his work.
“To me as a scientist what is most important is what is most useful to the patient, not what is good for your reputation or what pays the most money.
The sick patient should be the most important stimulus for our work.”.