Dr. Chuan-Pu Lee

1931 - 2016

Dr. Chuan-Pu Lee

AGE: 84 • Detroit, MI

Dr. Chuan-Pu Lee, age 84, Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Biochemistry at Wayne State University School of Medicine, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 20, 2016 at the Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, MI.

Born in Tsingtao in Shandong Province of China in 1931, Dr. Lee succeeded professionally in an era in which women in the physical sciences were rare. Her long and distinguished scientific career was greatly admired by friends, family, colleagues, and students.

Dr. Lee received her degree in Chemistry at National Taiwan University in 1954 and her doctorate in Biochemistry from Oregon State University in 1961. Following her Ph.D., Dr. Lee conducted postdoctoral studies with Dr. Britton Chance at the University of Pennsylvania. She went on to become a professor of Physical Biochemistry at the Johnson Research Foundation, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics at the University of Pennsylvania. During this time period, Dr. Lee also began a life-long collaboration with Dr. Lars Ernster at the University of Stockholm leading to decades of research papers on the energy transfer systems in mitochondrial inner membranes and their links to various pathologies.

In 1975, Dr. Lee joined the faculty of the Biochemistry Department of Wayne State University School of Medicine where she remained for the rest of her career becoming an internationally respected scientist for her knowledge of bioenergetics: the study of how energy is produced in the body. Dr. Lee was appointed a Professor of Neurology in 1983. An author of over 200 publications, Dr. Lee also served on the editorial boards of multiple journals.

For her academic and research contributions, Dr. Lee received many accolades, scientific honors and awards. At Wayne State University, she was elected to the Academy of Scholars, serving twice as President. Dr. Lee received the Board of Governors Recognition Award; the Distinguished Graduate Faculty Award; the Distinguished Board of Governor's Faculty Fellowship Award; and the WSU College Teaching Award. Dr. Lee was appointed as Distinguished Professor of Biochemistry in 1990.

Dr. Lee was awarded with both an honorary doctorate of Philosophy and a life tenure of docentship in physiological chemistry from the University of Stockholm. From 1982 onwards, Dr. Lee was regularly invited to submit nominations for the Nobel Prize in Chemistry by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. In 1991, Dr. Lee was appointed as an honorary advisor for the National Laboratory of Biomembrane and Membrane Technology, Academia Sinca (Chinese Academy of Sciences), Beijing, China.

In 2000, Dr. Lee was a recipient of the Michigan Women's Hall of Fame Lifetime Achievement Award. Perhaps her greatest achievement was the recognition by her peers as embodying the essence of what a scientist should be: an outstanding bench scientist, a visionary thinker, a warm and supportive mentor to her students, and a loyal friend.

Recognizing the need to support the next generation of scientists, Dr. Lee established an endowment fund to assist pre- and post-doctorate fellows in the Biochemistry Department at WSU School of Medicine to assist with costs associated with presentations and travel to national and international scientific meetings.

Dr. Lee demonstrated constant and committed support of her family. One of six children, Dr. Lee had a life-long interest in the growth and development of her nieces, nephews and their families, was always willing to serve as a source of guidance and support. She is predeceased by her father Fung-Hwa Lee, mother Wei-Ping Liu Lee, elder brother Chuan-I Lee, elder sister Chuan-Yu Lee and younger brother Chuan-Kuo Lee. Dr. Lee is survived by her elder sister, Chuan-Min Lee Liao of Taiwan and younger brother, Chuan-Shue Lee and wife Catherine Lee of Newark, DE; and several nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews.

Friends and family are invited to a viewing on Saturday, August 6th at 9 AM at Mealey Funeral Home (phone # 302-654-3005), 2509 Limestone Rd., Wilmington, DE. The funeral service will begin at 10 AM. Interment will follow at All Saint's Cemetery, 6001 Kirkwood Highway, in Wilmington, DE.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, August 15th at 2 PM at Wayne State University, Scott Hall (4th Floor), 540 East Canfield Ave., Detroit, MI. Please call 313-577-1511 with questions.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a charitable contribution in memory of Dr. C.P. Lee to support the Chuan-Pu Lee, Ph.D. Endowed Graduate Student Research Fund at the Wayne State University School of Medicine. Checks should be made payable to WSU School of Medicine. Please indicate In memory of Dr. C.P. Lee in the memo section of the check. Checks can be mailed to: WSU School of Medicine, Development and Alumni Affairs, 540 E. Canfield, Room 1369, Detroit, MI 48201. Condolences may be made at MealeyFuneralHomes.com.