Days ago, Taiwan’s former vice president Chen Chien-jen met with the Pope as Taiwan’s special envoy. Now, he’s taking part in a four-day meeting of the Vatican’s scientific academy as the only Taiwanese member of its council.
Chen was appointed councilor of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences for a four-year term last year, shortly after being named as an ordinary academician. He earned the appointment for his distinguished career in public health and epidemiology. Chen is an eminent expert in viruses at Academia Sinica, and has made headlines since 2020 for shaping Taiwan’s successful response to the COVID-19 crisis.
The prestigious Pontifical Academy of Sciences includes scores of Nobel-prize winning scientists in its ranks. As a member of its governing body, Chen says he hopes to promote friendship between Taiwan and the Holy See and foster peace and development for all people.