Feng Chia University Chun-Yu Chair Professor Kung-Yee Liang Receives Taiwan’s Highest Scientific Research Honor: The 2025 Presidential Science Prize

The Presidential Science Prize Committee announced yesterday (8th) the winners of the “2024-2025 Presidential Science Prize.” Feng Chia University Chun-Yu Chair Professor, Academician Kung-Yee Liang, was honored with Taiwan’s highest scientific research award for his major breakthroughs and sustained, far-reaching contributions in the field of biostatistics. This prestigious recognition not only affirms Academician Liang’s outstanding academic achievements but also highlights Feng Chia University’s commitment to cultivating and attracting world-class academic talent.The Presidential Science Prize was established in 2001 and is awarded biennially to recognize scholars in the fields of mathematics and physical sciences, life sciences, social sciences, and applied sciences who have demonstrated innovative research, international influence, and significant contributions to Taiwanese society. This year, only two distinguished scholars received the award. The award ceremony is scheduled for November 11, when the President will personally present the prize and a cash award of NT$3 million to honor Academician Liang’s exceptional contributions to life science research and social development in Taiwan.

Chun-Yu Chair Professor Kung-Yee Liang has been awarded the 2025 Presidential Science Prize. The award ceremony will be held on November 11, with the President personally presenting the honor.A Globally Recognized Pioneer in Biostatistics

Professor Kung-Yee Liang is an internationally renowned and influential scholar in the field of biostatistics. In 1986, together with his colleague Scott Zeger at Johns Hopkins University, he proposed the Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) method, which fundamentally changed the analytical paradigm for longitudinal studies. This method has been cited over 22,000 times to date and has been incorporated into major statistical software such as R, STATA, SAS, and SPSS. It is widely used in global clinical trials and public health research. Through GEE, international pharmaceutical companies can accurately assess the efficacy of new drugs, benefiting tens of millions of patients worldwide.

He co-authored the book "Analysis of Longitudinal Data" with three European and American scholars, published by Oxford University Press. This work is regarded as a core textbook for longitudinal studies and has become a must-read classic for international researchers. At the same time, Professor Liang has laid a solid foundation in statistical theory and methodology, continuously driving breakthroughs in medical research and advancements in public health.

Deeply Rooted in Taiwan’s Public Health and Education

In addition to his international academic achievements, Professor Liang has long been dedicated to giving back to Taiwan. He once served as President of National Yang Ming University, promoting research centers in cutting-edge fields such as brain science, cancer, and geriatric health, and establishing cross-institutional collaboration platforms. During the COVID-19 pandemic, as President of the National Health Research Institutes, he led vaccine and drug development, rapid testing technology, served as the head of the R&D group at the Central Epidemic Command Center, and assisted the Ministry of Health and Welfare in completing the pre-purchase of 10 million doses of the AZ vaccine, making key contributions to Taiwan’s public health policy and pandemic prevention.

In terms of education, he is committed to talent cultivation and the development of humanistic literacy, creating diverse general education courses and, through international exchanges and scholarship programs, nurturing a new generation of scientific talent with global vision and interdisciplinary capabilities. In 2024, he was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Honor Award by the General Education Association of the Republic of China.

A Source of Pride for Feng Chia University

Since February 2023, at the invitation of Chairperson Cheng-Shu Kao, Academician Liang has joined Feng Chia University as Chun-Yu Chair Professor and University Affairs Advisor, continuing to leverage his international stature and experience to help Feng Chia’s faculty, students, and research teams connect with the world. His award not only affirms his personal outstanding achievements but also demonstrates Feng Chia University’s dedication and practice in advancing academic research and cultivating interdisciplinary talent.

President Wen-Chih Wang of Feng Chia University stated that Academician Kung-Yee Liang’s long-term contributions in academia and public health have profoundly influenced the development of global medicine and Taiwanese society. His receipt of the “Presidential Science Prize” is a source of pride for Taiwan and a great honor for Feng Chia University. We look forward to Professor Liang’s continued leadership in broadening the horizons of our faculty and students, and in reaching new heights in interdisciplinary research and social engagement.