Chen Zijiang, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Medicine, Honorary Director of the Center for Reproductive Medicine at Renji Hospital

Introduction

In the world of medicine, Dr. Chen Zijiang is a figure defined by compassion and determination. With a skilled and caring hand, she has delivered countless new lives. Her journey began during a unique chapter in China’s history, when a thirst for knowledge led her from bustling cities to quiet villages, and from university campuses to rural fields. This time, working closely with the land, taught her resilience and revealed the true essence of life amid hardship.

As time went on, she entered medical school, where her passion for medicine took root. She absorbed knowledge with an insatiable appetite, ultimately choosing obstetrics and gynecology—a field she saw as filled with hope and new beginnings. She resolved to dedicate her career to welcoming new life into the world.

In her research, she was undaunted by hardship or challenge. Working from humble laboratories, she forged a path of innovation. Every successful experiment and every breakthrough was a testament to her exploration of life’s mysteries and her profound love for reproductive medicine.

A Life of Passionate Dedication

“My parents and grandparents taught me by example—to contribute to our country and its people. Witnessing their sacrifices deeply influenced me. I still recall leaving for the countryside with a heavy pack. My heart was filled with curiosity about the unknown and a desire to face challenges. There, I learned to farm, experienced the joy of harvest, and gained a profound understanding of the labor and greatness of working people.”

Soon, Chen was assigned to a factory, where she spent an unforgettable period amidst the roar of machinery. She excelled there, earning numerous commendations. Despite the arduous conditions, she never relinquished her thirst for knowledge.

“I remember the scene of workers toiling tirelessly in the workshops. As a young person, I felt any hardship was worthwhile. Then, in the quiet of the night, I would pick up books and immerse myself in learning.”

The year 1979 proved life-changing. Chen was admitted to Shandong Medical University, embarking on her medical journey. Her diligence and talent quickly earned recognition from professors and peers.

“At that time, I felt like a fish thirsting for water, finally swimming freely in the ocean of medicine. Looking back, that sponge-like desire to absorb knowledge defined my entire life.”

Five years flew by. Chen graduated with distinction and was selected for the combined master’s-doctoral program at Shandong Medical University. She chose obstetrics and gynecology because, in her heart, it was a field where new life was witnessed daily—a place brimming with hope.

“Seeing babies born every day brought immense joy. When I chose OB/GYN, the department at Shandong Medical University was already nationally renowned. I was fortunate to pursue my master’s under Professor Wang Xiqing. Her professionalism and deep compassion for patients ignited my profound affection for the field.”

As a new graduate student, Chen began extensive research. Despite extremely rudimentary laboratory conditions, she maintained her passion and spirit of inquiry. Starting with animal experiments, she accumulated experience bit by bit, gradually achieving breakthroughs in reproductive medicine.

“Initially, the lab had nothing—conditions were incredibly harsh. We graduate students were janitors, animal lab technicians, sanitation workers, nurses, and doctors all rolled into one. As the first cohort of graduate students, we were essentially figuring out the training model alongside our professors.”

Chen later pursued her doctorate under Professor Su Yingkuan, a towering figure in Chinese obstetrics and gynecology and one of only four doctoral supervisors in the nation at the time. His professionalism, compassion for patients, and dedication to research profoundly influenced her. He always emphasized that the ultimate purpose of medicine is to serve patients and alleviate their suffering.

Professor Su recognized that while reproductive medicine was still in its infancy in China, this new frontier offered young scholars a chance to make their mark.

“My mentor, Professor Su Yingkuan, was an unassuming yet profoundly great physician. Experts in those days were remarkably pure—they weren’t driven by titles or status; their sole focus was the patient. His spirit remains a lifelong model for me. I still vividly recall the first time I saw an egg and sperm form a zygote under the microscope. When the two pronuclei appeared, I was so excited I called Professor Su in the middle of the night. Looking back, it was perhaps that initial passion for research that has sustained me all these years.”

Chen felt like an artist with a fresh paintbrush, sketching her own designs on the “blank canvas” of reproductive medicine.

After five and a half years of relentless effort, Chen earned her doctorate, becoming one of China’s first clinical medicine PhDs.

“The moment I received my doctorate, I felt immense pride. The hardship made it feel worthwhile. But I knew a doctorate is more than a title—it’s a mission, a continuation of Professor Su Yingkuan’s spirit. It’s a commitment to a lifetime of medical and scientific practice.”

To this day, a photograph of her mentor, Professor Su Yingkuan, hangs on the wall of Chen Zijiang’s office.

“Professor Su once told me, ‘The patient’s need is what you should do.’ Even in his 70s, when he saw family members struggling to move a patient, he would personally go over to help. As his students, we must pass on the essence of what he taught us—through our words and actions—to our own students.”

Metamorphosis

The development of reproductive medicine in the last century was a story of rapid advancement. Dr. Chen Zijiang not only witnessed this progress but actively shaped the history of the field in China and around the world.

A historic moment for world medicine arrived in 1978 with the birth of the first “test-tube baby” in the United Kingdom. This breakthrough brought hope to countless families and opened a new era for reproductive medicine. In China, however, this achievement remained a distant prospect.

“I recall that in 1986, the field of reproductive medicine didn’t yet exist in China. Our nation’s first test-tube baby was born in 1988, marking the dawn of this new field and inspiring all of us in obstetrics and gynecology.”

In 1992, Dr. Chen and her team achieved a major breakthrough: the birth of the world’s first baby via intrauterine gamete transfer. This success filled a critical gap in China’s medical capabilities and signaled that the nation’s reproductive medicine research had entered the global stage.

“1992 was a landmark year. When that new life cried out at Shandong Provincial Hospital, I knew all the effort had been worthwhile. It wasn’t just the birth of a baby; it was the beginning of a new era for Chinese reproductive medicine.”

In 1995, Dr. Chen’s team delivered the first baby in East China conceived via in vitro fertilization–embryo transfer (IVF-ET), further cementing her influence in the field.

“The successful application of IVF-ET showed us the broader horizons of reproductive medicine. Truly, the birth of every new life is the best affirmation of our work.”

Year after year, Dr. Chen’s team continued to break new ground. From 1997’s first baby born via transvaginal gamete intrafallopian transfer in China, to 1998’s first baby born via intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and the establishment of a human embryo bank, each achievement was a testament to their relentless drive for innovation.

“In those years, every member of our team was filled with passion. Each ‘first’ reflected our unwavering pursuit of scientific discovery.”

Entering the new millennium, Dr. Chen’s research efforts accelerated. In 2000, her team delivered China’s first baby born via blastocyst transfer. In 2001, they welcomed the first baby born using in vitro maturation (IVM) of immature oocytes. These results continuously pushed the boundaries of the field.

“As technology advanced, we could achieve far more. Each breakthrough enabled us to solve more problems for our patients.”

In 2005, the first baby born from a vitrified-warmed oocyte in China was born at Dr. Chen’s center, marking a new milestone in her work on fertility preservation.

“The success of oocyte cryopreservation offered new options for women unable to conceive temporarily for various reasons.”

In 2006, Dr. Chen’s team established multiple human embryonic stem cell lines, opening new avenues for future medical applications. That same year, she took on significant leadership roles, including Vice Dean of Shandong University School of Medicine and Director of several national key laboratories. In 2011, she was selected for the prestigious Taishan Scholar program, and in 2013, she became Vice President of Shandong University.

In 2015, Dr. Chen achieved another milestone: China’s first healthy “test-tube baby” born using preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) to prevent hereditary deafness. This marked a pivotal shift from treating the condition to proactively preventing it.

This journey of continuous breakthroughs was fueled by Dr. Chen’s exceptional vision and unwavering conviction.

“In our research, we have always insisted on being driven by clinical needs. Our findings have improved the success rates of assisted reproductive technologies and, more importantly, brought hope to countless families. That fills me with pride.”

A Bond with Renji

In 2012, at the invitation of Academician Chen Guoqiang and President Li Weiping, Dr. Chen joined Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine. At the time, while Renji’s Department of Reproductive Medicine had a solid foundation, it had not yet achieved national prominence.

“Before I arrived, the department had a foundation, but transforming it into a national leader required more innovation. I saw Renji’s potential and its challenges. With a history spanning over 150 years, Renji Hospital possesses a rich legacy. I knew that helping Renji improve required not just advanced technology, but a team with an innovative spirit and a commitment to mentorship. My primary task was strengthening the team and elevating our research and clinical standards.”

Under Dr. Chen’s leadership, the department underwent a significant transformation. From upgrading labs and introducing new techniques to cultivating talent and defining research directions, the department’s development accelerated.

Dr. Chen injected new vitality into the center. Starting with foundational infrastructure, she continuously enhanced research capabilities and clinical services. Gradually, Renji Hospital’s Reproductive Medicine Center achieved rapid development, becoming a major force in China and on the global stage.

“As Vice President and Director of the Reproductive Center, I was involved in administration while remaining deeply engaged in research and clinical work. We introduced advanced equipment, cultivated a professional team, and provided patients with more precise, personalized treatment plans. I remember that the lab’s design, down to the placement of each bench, required meticulous planning. We also invested heavily in talent recruitment to build the center’s overall strength.”

Under Dr. Chen’s guidance, the center achieved a series of remarkable accomplishments. The introduction of numerous new technologies significantly boosted its clinical and research capabilities. The center conducted high-level studies, solving key problems in assisted reproduction and offering new options for personalized treatment.

Today, Renji Hospital’s Reproductive Medicine Center is nationally and internationally renowned, having established itself as a leader in four key areas: female infertility, male infertility, genetic and eugenic health, and clinical cohort studies. Its clinical volume and success rates are among the highest in Shanghai, with several technologies reaching domestic leadership and international advanced levels.

“Seeing the achievements of Renji’s Reproductive Medicine Center today fills me with immense pride—it’s the best affirmation of our work.”

After several years, Dr. Chen achieved her goal: transforming the center into a comprehensive hub integrating clinical practice, research, and education. This success led to the establishment of several key institutions, including the Shanghai Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction and the Shanghai Human Assisted Reproductive Technology Quality Control Center.

“Renji’s clinical volume and success rates currently rank first in Shanghai. It is also the only reproductive medicine center in Shanghai to enter the top ten of the Fudan Hospital Rankings. To maintain this standing, I place great emphasis on building a talent pipeline and cultivating outstanding young professionals.”

Today, although Dr. Chen has transitioned away from day-to-day leadership, she still serves as Honorary Director of the center, continuing to contribute her wisdom and energy.

“I no longer hold administrative positions, but I will do my utmost to support the center’s development. I am full of hope for Renji’s future and believe that with our collective effort, it will achieve even greater success.”

Beyond building foundations, Dr. Chen consistently worked to expand Renji Hospital’s international influence. In April 2019, the center co-hosted the 23rd World Congress of the International Federation of Fertility Societies (IFFS)—the first time the congress was held in China. The event attracted over 5,000 delegates from more than 60 countries, elevating the international profile of Renji Hospital and Shanghai’s medical community on the global stage.

Its journey from a nascent department to a leading center embodies Dr. Chen Zijiang’s effort and dedication.

Life Unceasing, Struggle Unending

In 2019, Chen Zijiang was elected as an Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

To the public, the title of Academician represents the highest recognition from the academic community for a researcher’s outstanding contributions. However, Chen Zijiang herself holds a different perspective. She believes the honor is simply a label—a sign of recognition from her peers and society, but not the ultimate goal she pursues.

“Becoming an Academician is a great honor and an affirmation of my work and our team’s efforts. But it’s just a label. What I value more is the impact we can have on patients and the contributions we can make to medical progress.”

Chen Zijiang has always maintained a singular focus on scientific research. She firmly believes that true achievement lies not in honors, but in solving practical problems, advancing science, and improving human lives.

“The essence of scientific research is to explore the unknown and solve problems. The title of Academician will not change my core mission as a physician and a researcher.”

Chen Zijiang believes the true spirit of a medical scientist transcends honors and fame; it is a commitment to improving human health and well-being.

“I always encourage young physicians not to be dazzled by external honors or labels. They must focus on the research itself, maintaining a thirst for knowledge and a passion for exploration. That is the only way to go far in this field.”

From October 5-7, 2023, the AE-PCOS Society meeting was held in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, marking the 20th anniversary of the Rotterdam diagnostic criteria for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). At this event, Chen Zijiang was awarded the Walter Futterweit Award for Clinical Research Excellence for her outstanding contributions to PCOS research and clinical practice. Established in 2017, the award is one of the most influential in the PCOS field, given annually to a single medical scientist. Chen Zijiang is the first Chinese recipient of this honor.

“A human life is, in reality, very short. As a medical researcher, you can only adopt a philosophy of ‘life unceasing, struggle unending.’ Medicine is a field of constant evolution; every day brings new challenges and opportunities.”

Chen Zijiang firmly believes that continuous learning and innovation are essential for any physician or medical scientist. Providing better treatments for patients and contributing to medical progress are shared commitments. Only by constantly learning, exploring, and advancing can we face the greater challenges that lie ahead.

Editor: Chen Qing @ ShanghaiDoctor.cn

If you'd like to contact Doctor Chen, please be free to let us know at chenqing@ShanghaiDoctor.cn. 

Note: Chinese Sources from “The Path of Benevolent Medicine” which was published in 2024. It records 90 important medical figures in the history of Renji Hospital. Yewen Renyi (ShanghaiDoctor.cn) team was one of the major writers of the book and is authorized by Renji hospital to create English version on the website of ShanghaiDoctor.cn