CELIA C.H. CHEN

CHEN CELIA CHENG HSUAN CHEN A retired scientist and a resident of Silver Spring, MD, died unexpectedly at home at the age of 76 on October 30, 2015. Dr. Chen is survived by her husband, George Birnbaum; and her children, Tien-Seng Chiu and Tien-Yee Chiu. She was predeceased by her parents, Alexander Chun Yung Chen and Elsie Li Cheng Chen. Dr. Chen was born in Shanghai, China, on May 5, 1939. She graduated from Barnard College with a B.A. in physics in 1958, and from Columbia University with a Ph.D. in biochemistry in 1967, based on her research in X-ray crystallography. Dr. Chen had a varied career. She worked at Brookhaven National Laboratories as an Assistant Professor / Research Collaborator; was a Research Associate at the St. Luke's Hospital Center; received an instructor permit from the American Montessori Society, was a home maker, taught physics at Wilde Lake High School in Columbia, Maryland, and finished her career as an Assistant Research Scientist at the University of Maryland's Center for Advanced Research in Biotechnology in Rockville, Maryland. She carried out crystallographic research in protein structures. Eventually, Dr. Chen gave up her Research Assistant title and continued to work as a laboratory technician so she could "just have fun in the lab without needing to publish papers". After retirement, Dr. Chen blossomed. She developed an interest in skiing and skied in many resorts in the United States as well as Italy and Spain. When she gave up skiing after an accident in the Spanish Alps left her housebound for a time, she refocused her efforts in crafting, attending many sessions of the Eastern Federation of Mineralogical and Lapidary Societies in Wildacres, N.C. She picked up beading and jewelry making which led her to join not only the Gem, Lapidary and Mineral Society of Washington, DC , but also the Leisure World Lapidary club. True to her nature, not only did she join the club, but also taught and was a member of the executive committee. She was a world traveler, having traveled in North and South America, Europe, and Asia. She was an inspirational force, leaving lasting impressions and fond memories in her wake. She has left a great void in all the lives that she touched. A funeral service is scheduled for 1 p.m. on November 7, 2015, at the Howell Funeral Home, 10220 Guilford Road, Jessup, Maryland (http://www.howellfh.com). In lieu of flowers, Dr. Chen requested that donations be made to the Zigen Fund, 213-37 39th Ave, Suite 355, Bayside, NY 11361 (http://www.zigenfund.org).