NEWS
Honorary Doctorate
- Publish Date:2024-10-31
From Small-Town Roots to Biotech Legend: Mr. Gene Lay Awarded Honorary Doctorate in Science

President Chi-Hung Lin (left) presented an honorary doctorate to Mr. Gene Lay (right).
Translated by Chance Lai
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Mr. Gene Lay, born and raised in rural Xihu, Miaoli, transformed from a small-town boy into a biotech pioneer, founding the world’s largest immunology reagent company. On October 30, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYCU) awarded him an honorary Doctorate in Science, recognizing his remarkable achievements in biotechnology.
A Biotech Empire in the U.S.
Lay’s journey from Taiwan to establishing a biotech empire in the United States is legendary. Initially a veterinary student, Lay pursued microbiology in the U.S. and went on to found two biotech reagent companies, PharMingen and BioLegend, both of which were acquired by major corporations. He now serves as Senior Vice President for Life Sciences at Revvity (formerly PerkinElmer), where he leads innovation and development in the biotech industry.
Despite two highly successful entrepreneurial ventures, Lay’s acclaim has not overshadowed his commitment to giving back. This year, he helped connect NYCU’s Cancer and Immunology Research Center with Harvard Medical School’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital, further strengthening Taiwan’s position in global medical research.
Supporting Talent Development in Taiwan
Lay has also remained deeply connected to Taiwan, participating in the National Science Council’s “Overseas Training Program for Industry Innovation Talent,” supporting local Ph.D. researchers to gain experience in the U.S. Last year, he donated $25 million to UC San Diego’s Bioengineering Department, which was renamed the Shu Chien-Gene Lay Department of Bioengineering in honor of his mentor Shu Chien.
A Biotech Empire in the U.S.
Lay’s journey from Taiwan to establishing a biotech empire in the United States is legendary. Initially a veterinary student, Lay pursued microbiology in the U.S. and went on to found two biotech reagent companies, PharMingen and BioLegend, both of which were acquired by major corporations. He now serves as Senior Vice President for Life Sciences at Revvity (formerly PerkinElmer), where he leads innovation and development in the biotech industry.
Despite two highly successful entrepreneurial ventures, Lay’s acclaim has not overshadowed his commitment to giving back. This year, he helped connect NYCU’s Cancer and Immunology Research Center with Harvard Medical School’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital, further strengthening Taiwan’s position in global medical research.
Supporting Talent Development in Taiwan
Lay has also remained deeply connected to Taiwan, participating in the National Science Council’s “Overseas Training Program for Industry Innovation Talent,” supporting local Ph.D. researchers to gain experience in the U.S. Last year, he donated $25 million to UC San Diego’s Bioengineering Department, which was renamed the Shu Chien-Gene Lay Department of Bioengineering in honor of his mentor Shu Chien.
Lay pledged $100 million to Brigham and Women’s Hospital at Harvard Medical School, establishing the Gene Lay Institute of Immunology and Inflammation to accelerate new drug development for neurodegenerative diseases, immune disorders, and cancer. This donation set a record for the hospital and marks a significant contribution to global medical research.
Inspiring the Next Generation
During the conferral ceremony, Lay’s family and friends joined to celebrate this honor. In his speech, ‘My Journey to Biotech,’ Lay reflected on his educational and entrepreneurial journey, expressing that this honor reminds him that medicine and education are fundamentally about sharing knowledge and caring for others. He said his mission is to translate scientific discoveries into effective treatments. Lay also noted that, with most young Taiwanese graduates pursuing tech careers, a talent shortage in biotech has emerged—a gap that needs to be addressed.
President Chi-Hung Lin emphasized that this honorary doctorate recognizes Lay’s profound understanding of biotechnology and his dedication to scientific research. Lay’s contributions extend beyond technological innovation; he has significantly impacted international collaboration, inspiring more scientists and entrepreneurs to advance biotech to improve human welfare.
Mr. Gene Lay’s achievements and spirit of generosity inspire the next generation to pursue technological innovation and promote human welfare. NYCU’s recognition is a tribute to his extraordinary accomplishments and lasting contributions.
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