The PI, Chi-Shiun Chiang, had a Ph.D. degree in Biomedical Physics and is a Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering and Environmental Sciences, National Tsing Hua University (NTHU).   Currently, he serves as the Director of Biomedical Science and Engineering Center, NTHU.  He received basic research training at UCLA between 1987 ~ 1992 with major in radiation biology and post-doctor training in the SCRIP research center and UCLA between 1992 ~ 1995 with major in neuroimmunopathology and cancer genes therapy, respectively.

     After being recruited to NTHU in 1995, he focused his research on cytokine-mediated immune-radiotherapy and cooperated with Prof. Hong, Ji-Hong, Vice President of Chang-Gung Memory Hospital, on the research of radiation-induced molecular changes in normal tissues in last 25 years. Many works from these two areas have been published in well-known journals of related research fields. It is fair to state that PI has abundant experience in cancer treatment research, in particular the cancer immune-radio therapy. PI’s researches are mainly supported by NHRI and MOST during his research carrier.  He has been awarded 5 times by the NHRI. PI’s major contribution to cancer treatment research is in immunotherapy combined with radiotherapy. Most works in cytokine-mediated cancer immunotherapy were supported by NHRI CDG and IRG grants from 1997 ~ 2004. Reviewing PI’s publications, one would find that macrophages are the main issue no matter the studies related to cancer gene therapy, radiation-induced normal tissue responses, or even neurodegenerative diseases. 

    Throughout these studies, PI has discovered many unique features of macrophages such that tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are the most radioresistant cells following radiation therapy. The survived TAMs could play essential roles in tumor recurrent/remission and normal tissue healing/injuries. Most important, PI had found that the functions of TAMs can be modulated by associated microenvironments or ex-vivo handling. The long-term experience on macrophages has directed his research toward using TAMs as target and vector in cancer treatment. His last 3 NHRI grants were related to this subject (2009~2011, 2012~2014, 2016~ 2018).

    During the last three years, the PI has focused on the pre-clinical study to prove the feasibility of modulating macrophage function as adjuvant therapy to enhance the efficacy of radiation therapy for a brain tumor, which has been recently approved by MOST for three years of the project (2018 ~ 2021).