San Antonio witnesses Chinese urological achievements: The World Chinese Urological Society achievement and Rising Star Awards at the 16th annual meeting

San Antonio, May 3, 2024—The 16th Annual meeting of the World Chinese Urological Society (WCUS) was successfully held in San Antonio, drawing together experts and scholars from around the globe in the field of Chinese urology. This conference served as a platform for academic exchange, as well as an occasion for medical professionals of Chinese descent to learn from, inspire, and motivate one another. Such events are crucial for advancing research and clinical practice in Chinese urology worldwide, and the success of this conference signals a bright and progressive future for the field. The conference featured in-depth academic exchanges and the presentation of the 2024 Global Chinese Outstanding Achievement Award and the Global Chinese Urology Rising Star Award. These awards recognize medical experts and emerging talents who have made significant contributions to the field of urology. The 2024 WCUS meeting cochairs, Professor Tom F. Lue from the Department of Urology at the University of California, San Francisco and Professor Run Wang from the Department of Urology at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and McGovern Medical School, Houston; and Professor Hui Jiang from Peking University First Hospital, Beijing presented the awards to all recipients on behalf of WCUS. This year's recipients of the WCUS Outstanding Achievement Award included Prof. Zhiping Wang from China, Prof. Jeff S. Cheuh from Taiwan, China; Prof. Peter Ka-Fung Chiu from Hong Kong, China and Prof. Kin Li from Macao, China. They have demonstrated exceptional professional skills and innovative thinking in their respective research and clinical practices. Additionally, the 2023 WCUS Outstanding Achievement Award was belatedly presented to Prof. See-Tong Pang and Prof. Wen-Jeng Wu from Taiwan, China. Dr. Zhiping Wang is a renowned figure in urology, recognized for his exceptional contributions by the National Health Commission and honored with the Wu Jieping Urology Award in 1998. His significant academic achievements include the development of a technical system aimed at enhancing safety and preventing complications in urological endoscopic surgery through precise monitoring of irrigation fluid absorption and bleeding. Dr. Wang also pioneered a micro-energy treatment technique for chronic prostatitis based on the local microenvironment. His research has furthered the understanding of genes and molecular mechanisms involved in bladder cancer, leading to the development of diagnostic and therapeutic techniques. Additionally, he has made significant strides in academic discipline construction, establishing a research-oriented urology team in western China and nurturing a cadre of academic urologists. Dr. Wang's scholarly output is extensive, with 486 academic papers published, including 178 SCI papers. Moreover, he holds over 30 national patents and has been honored with numerous awards, including three first-class and seven second-class awards at provincial and ministerial levels. Dr. Jeff S. Chueh is a distinguished figure in the field of urology, serving as Professor and Chairman of the Department of Urology at the College of Medicine, Taiwan University. He holds multiple leadership positions, including Director and Attending Staff at Taiwan University Hospitals, Chairman of the Future Planning Committee at the Urological Association of Asia (UAA), and Deputy Director at the Asian School of Urology (ASU) under the UAA. Additionally, he is the Executive Director and Director of International Affairs Committee at the Taiwan Urological Association and President of the Taiwan Society of Aldosteronism. Dr. Chueh has contributed significantly to urology research and education, with over 250 peer-reviewed articles and chapters in urological textbooks. His expertise lies in urological laparoscopic and robotic surgery, urological oncology, voiding dysfunction in men, and kidney transplantation. He obtained his PhD from the Postgraduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, Taiwan University, and completed clinical fellowships at UT Houston, USA, under the mentorship of Barry D. Kahan. Prior to his current roles, Dr. Chueh held positions as a Staff Urologist at the Glickman Urological and Kidney Institute, Cleveland Clinic, and as a Clinical Professor of Surgery (Urology) at CCLCM, CWRU, Ohio, USA. He also served as the Medical Director and primary surgeon of the Kidney Transplant Service at CAMC, Charleston, West Virginia, USA. Dr. Peter KF Chiu is a highly accomplished urologist with a diverse range of professional engagements. He serves as an Associate Professor of Urology Surgery at the Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, and is affiliated with the Shaw Sheng Medical Urology Center. Notably, Dr. Chiu holds the position of President of the Hong Kong Urological Association (HKUA) and is actively involved in various committees, including the Urological Association of Asia (UAA), where he contributes to the EAU Young Urologists Prostate Cancer Working Group. Additionally, he is a member of the SIU Research Committee and the SIU Conference Committee. Dr. Chiu's dedication to advancing urological knowledge extends to his role as a Board Member of the Focal Therapy Society and the Hong Kong Kidney Foundation (HKKF). His academic background includes graduating from the Faculty of Medicine at The Chinese University of Hong Kong in 2006, followed by fellowship training in Urological Surgery at the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. He pursued further specialization in prostate cancer research and surgery at the Erasmus Medical Center in Rotterdam, Netherlands, where he obtained his PhD. His research interests primarily focus on prostate cancer, encompassing screening and diagnostic techniques, MRI-guided biopsies, localized treatment modalities, and robotic surgery. Dr. Chiu's scholarly contributions are extensive, with 145 publications to date, predominantly addressing prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia. Dr. Kin Li is a prominent figure in urology in Macao, China. He holds several significant positions including President of the Macao Urological Association, Vice President of the Urological Union of the Greater Bay Area, and Member of the Urology Board of the Academy of Medicine of Macao. He serves as the Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Macao Rehabilitation Association and is also a member of the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Urology. Dr. Li obtained his medical degree from Jinan University of Guangzhou in 1994, completed his urology training at Centro Hospitalar Conde de São Januário (CHCSJ) in Macao in 2003, and earned his PhD from Sichuan University in 2011. His areas of expertise include uroncology, endourology, and laparoscopic urologic surgery. He has also worked as a pediatric urologist and renal transplant surgeon in Macao, China. In addition to his professional roles, Dr. Li is actively involved in medical education, serving as the secretary of urology residents training in his hospital. He has held various leadership positions in medical associations, including Ex-Treasurer of the Macao Surgery Association. Dr. See-Tong Pang has garnered significant recognition for his contributions to urological oncology and related fields. Notable achievements include winning Best Poster awards at prestigious international conferences such as the International Symposium on genomics, proteomics, stem cells, and biotechnology in 2003 and the 9th Asian Congress of Urology in 2008. His outstanding contributions have been acknowledged with awards like the Outstanding Contribution Award from the Taiwan Urological Oncology Association in 2018 and the Team Science Award from the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) in the same year. Additionally, he has received accolades for his research excellence, including the Outstanding Paper Award from the Taiwan Urological Association (TUA) in 2018 and the Distinguished Paper Award from the Association of Chemical Sensors in Taiwan, China in 2019. His achievements continued into 2021, with Dr. Pang being honored with both the Best Academic Report Award and the Best Oral Presentation Award from the Taiwan Urological Association, as well as the prestigious 18th National Innovation Award and Clinical Innovation Award from the National Institute for Biotechnology and Medicine Industry (IBMI). Dr. Wen-Jeng Wu holds several academic appointments including Adjunct Professor at the Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University (KMU), Adjunct Professor in the Department of Urology, Postbaccalaureate Medicine at KMU, and Adjunct Professor at the Institute of Medical Science and Technology, Sun Yat-sen University, Taiwan, China. He also serves as a Professor in the Department of Urology at the School of Medicine, KMU, and holds the positions of Chief of the Department of Urology at KMU. In terms of clinical appointments, Dr. Wen-Jeng Wu has held various leadership roles including Vice-Superintendent at KMUH since August 2020, Vice President at the Office for Industry-Academic Collaboration at KMU from August 2018 to July 2020, Superintendent at Kaohsiung Municipal Ta-Tung Hospital (affiliated to KMU) from August 2015 to July 2018, Superintendent at Kaohsiung Municipal Hsiao-Kang Hospital (affiliated to KMU) from July 2012 to July 2015, Vice-Superintendent at Kaohsiung Municipal Hsiao-Kang Hospital from February 2010 to June 2012, and Chief of the Department of Urology at KMUH from August 2003 to January 2010. The meeting also highlighted the WCUS Rising Star Award, which honors young medical experts who have shown potential and achievements in emerging areas of urology. The recipients of the Rising Star Award included Dr. Tao Jiang from China, Dr. Wei Phin Tan from the United States, Dr. Yu Xie from China, Dr. Joe Lee from Singapore, Dr. Long Tian from China, Dr. Jeremy Teoh from Hong Kong, China, and Dr. Yung Na from Hong Kong, China. They have made outstanding contributions to urologic oncology, urologic reconstruction, and urologic reproductive and sexual medicine. Dr. Tao Jiang received 2024 WCUS Rising Star Award in uro-andrology and sexual medicine. He is a distinguished Chief Physician and Professor in the Department of Urology and Andrology at the First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University. He holds key leadership positions in various professional organizations, including Director of the Chinese Sexology Association, Vice Chair of the Male Reproductive Professional Committee of the Chinese Sexology Association, and National Committee Member of the Chinese Society of Sexual Medicine. Dr. Jiang also serves as Chair of the Dalian Andrology Society, Chair of the Liaoning Andrology Expert Committee, and Vice Chair of the Liaoning Andrology Society. His expertise extends to integrative medicine, as evidenced by his roles as Vice Chair of the Liaoning Province Integrative Medicine Andrology Society and Vice Chair of the Provincial Integrative Medicine Andrology Society. Dr. Jiang's contributions to the field have been recognized with prestigious awards, including the Second Class Prize for Scientific and Technological Progress from the Liaoning Provincial Government and the First Class Prize for Scientific and Technological Progress from the Dalian Municipal Government. Dr. Wei Phin Tan received 2024 WCUS Rising Star Award in uro-oncology. He is a distinguished urologic oncologist at New York University (NYU) Langone Medical Center, specializing in malignancies of the genitourinary system. His research interests are centered around prostate cancer diagnostics, focal therapy for prostate cancer, and robotic-assisted surgery for various urologic malignancies, including prostatectomies, nephrectomies, partial nephrectomies, and cystectomies with intracorporeal reservoirs, as well as retroperitoneal lymph node dissection. Dr. Tan's practice is at the forefront of technology, employing advanced techniques such as transperineal MRI/US fusion-guided biopsy, robotic-assisted surgery, High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU), and cryoablation. He has an extensive publication record, with over 80 peer-reviewed publications, and has delivered more than 100 presentations at international and national conferences. Dr. Tan's research endeavors have been supported by funding from the National Cancer Institute (NCI), underscoring his commitment to advancing the field of urologic oncology. Dr. Yu Xie received 2024 WCUS Rising Star Award in uro-oncology. He is a distinguished urologist with a doctoral degree in surgery from Xiangya Medical College, Central South University, obtained in 2009. His pursuit of excellence led him to undertake further studies at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Texas, USA. Dr. Yu has spearheaded numerous basic and clinical research endeavors focusing on urological tumors. His contributions to the field are evidenced by the publication of dozens of academic papers, many of which he authored or served as the corresponding author. Dr. Yu's clinical practice and research are centered on the occurrence, development, diagnosis, and treatment of tumors within the urological male reproductive system, reflecting his commitment to advancing understanding and management in this critical area of urology. Dr. Joe Lee received 2024 WCUS Rising Star Award in uro-andrology. He is a highly qualified urologist, graduating from the National University of Singapore in 2000 and obtaining specialization degrees in surgery from the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, as well as a Master of Medicine in Surgery from Singapore. In 2011, he earned specialist accreditation and furthered his expertise through an advanced Andrology Fellowship at Canada's St. Joseph Hospital, University of Western Ontario. There, he focused on penile implants, artificial urinary sphincters, microsurgeries, and sperm retrievals under the guidance of renowned experts. As Director of Andrology and Male Reproductive Medicine at the National University Hospital, Department of Urology, Dr. Lee led groundbreaking research and clinical trials in Men's Health. He explored regenerative therapies and novel technologies, contributing significantly to the field. Currently, Dr. Lee serves as the Vice-President of the Society of Men's Health Singapore and holds an executive committee position at the Singapore Urological Association, demonstrating his commitment to advancing men's health and urology in Singapore. Dr. Long Tian received 2024 WCUS Rising Star Award in uro-reconstruction. He is a prominent figure in urology and andrology in China, holding multiple prestigious positions within various medical associations. He is a member of the Urology Subcommittee and the Andrology Group of the Chinese Medical Association, as well as the Prostate Group of the Urology Subcommittee. Dr. Tian has also served as a standing committee member and deputy secretary-general for multiple terms in the Andrology and Sexual Medicine Committee of the Chinese Medical Doctors Association, demonstrating his commitment to advancing these fields. Additionally, he holds positions in the Adolescent Medicine Committee, External Genitalia Plastic Surgery Committee, and Andrology Committee of various medical associations. Dr. Tian's expertise extends to intimate plastic surgery, as he serves as Vice President of the Intimate Plastic Surgery Association of the Chinese Society of Sexology. He is also involved in the Radiopharmaceutical Committee of the Chinese Pharmaceutical Association, showcasing his diverse interests and contributions to medical science in China. Dr. Jeremy Teoh received 2024 WCUS Rising Star Award in uro-innovative medicine. He is a highly accomplished urologist, recognized for his outstanding contributions to the field. In 2021, he received the prestigious Hong Kong Ten Outstanding Young Persons Award and the Innovator Award from the International Society of Urology. Currently, he holds the position of Chair of the Organizing Committee for the International Society of Urology Congress, showcasing his leadership in the field. Dr. Teoh is also a Consulting Editor for European Urology and an associate editor for European Urology Oncology, highlighting his expertise in academic publishing. His research endeavors have been supported by multiple grants, totaling over 80 million Hong Kong dollars, demonstrating his commitment to advancing urological knowledge. With over 300 articles published in renowned peer-reviewed journals such as Nature Reviews Urology, European Urology, Journal of Urology, and Annals of Surgery, Dr. Teoh has established himself as a leading figure in urology research and practice. Dr. Rung Na received 2024 WCUS Rising Star Award in uro-oncology. He is a clinical assistant professor at the Department of Surgery, The University of Hong Kong, and a member of the Urology Department at Queen Mary Hospital in Hong Kong. He actively contributes to various professional committees, including the Urological Male Engineering Group within the Urology Branch of the Chinese Medical Association, and serves as a National Committee Member of the Urology Branch of the Chinese Society of Sexology. Additionally, Dr. Na is an associate editor for Cancer Medicine. He earned his Clinical Medicine degree from Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, followed by a Master of Public Health from Johns Hopkins University in the United States. He conducted postdoctoral research and served as a researcher at the University of Chicago in the United States. Dr. Na specializes in the comprehensive treatment of prostate cancer and urological tumors, with a particular research focus on the genetics of urological tumors and translational medicine. He has an impressive publication record, with over 60 SCI papers as the first author or corresponding author. Dr. Na has led three national projects and received funding for two projects from the Hong Kong Medical and Health Research Fund and Research Grants Council, as well as several regional research projects. His contributions to the field have been recognized with awards from provincial and ministerial levels on three occasions. We warmly congratulate them once again on their outstanding achievements. We believe they will continue to make even greater accomplishments, driving the development and unity of Chinese urology worldwide and contributing to the advancement of global urology. Tom F. Lue is the Honorary Editor-in-Chief of UroPrecision, Run Wang is the Editor-in-Chief of UroPrecision, and Guiting Lin is the Deputy Editor-in-Chief of UroPrecision. They were excluded from the peer-review process and all editorial decisions related to the acceptance and publication of this article. Peer review was handled independently by the other editors to minimize bias. The authors declare no conflict of interest.