OU Engineer Named Senior Member of National Academy of Inventors

Wei R. Chen, Ph.D., a biomedical engineering professor at the University of Oklahoma, has been honored with the title of Senior Member by the National Academy of Inventors (NAI). Chen’s induction into NAI recognizes his contributions to biomedical engineering and to his inventions that are helping revolutionize cancer treatment.

The research by Chen’s team has resulted in the development of technologies that hold promise in the field of oncology. The patented drug, derived from extracts of shells of crustaceans, such as lobsters, crabs and other natural sources, when combined with local tumor ablation, has demonstrated effectiveness in treating various late-stage, metastatic cancers in their pre-clinical studies and preliminary clinical trials. In 2023, the Food and Drug Administration approved the use of this novel technology in a multicenter Phase 1b/2a trial in colorectal cancer, non-small cell lung cancer and soft tissue sarcorma patients.

“Dr. Chen is well deserving of this coveted honor. His work in biomedical engineering is truly revolutionizing cancer treatment,” said John Klier, Ph.D., dean of the Gallogly College of Engineering and a Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors.

Chen’s research interests encompass a wide array of topics within biomedical engineering, including the development of local intervention-based immunotherapy for metastatic cancers. He also has made significant strides in elucidating the mechanisms of local treatment-induced systemic antitumor immune responses and leveraging nanotechnology for cancer immunotherapy.

Prior to joining the Stephenson School of Biomedical Engineering in 2020, Chen served as professor of bioimedical engineering and dean of the College of Mathematics and Science at the University of Central Oklahoma. He holds a doctorate in theoretical high-energy particle physics from the University of Oregon.

In addition to his induction into the NAI, Chen has received numerous honors and recognitions throughout his career. He was elected as a Fellow of the International Society for Optics and Photonics (SPIE) and a Fellow of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering. He was awarded the U.S. Fulbright Lecturing/Research Award for Taiwan. He was named the 2008 U.S. Professor of the Year by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. He also won the Medal for Excellence in Teaching from the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence and the SPIE Educator Award.

Along with the accoldates, Chen has more than 180 peer-reviewed publications with a h-index of 59. He has received more than $10 million in funding from state and federal agencies, foundations, as well as from industrial sponsors, such as the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health/National Cancer Institute and the Oklahoma Center for Advancement of Science and Technology.

Chen’s inventions show his commitment to translating scientific discoveries into tangible solutions for pressing healthcare challenges. His contributions extend beyond the laboratory, as evidenced by the efforts of his team in clinical trials in multiple countries and by the recent approval of their patented drug by the FDA for multiple cancer indications.

For Chen though being named a Senior Member is more than just another accolade on his resume. His cancer research has also changed his life.

“It is humbling with the comprehension that our team’s inventions can potentially have significant impact on the late-stage, metastatic cancer patients who face severely limited options.  Using our novel technologies to save and/or prolong cancer patients’ lives and reduce their pain and suffering has been most transformative and rewarding experience in my professional life,” Chen said.

The induction of Chen and other 2024 Senior Members will be at NAI’s Annual Conference in Raleigh, North Carolina, from June 16-18. A full list of NAI Senior Members is available here (pdf).