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  • Publish Date:2026-06-03
Top Scholars from Taiwan, the U.S., and Korea Gather at NYCU to Advance Cancer Immunology Research
Group photo of participating scholars and distinguished guests at the 2nd Taiwan–Harvard–KAIST Immunology Joint Symposium held at NYCU Yangming Campus on May 16, 2026.
Group photo of participating scholars and distinguished guests at the 2nd Taiwan–Harvard–KAIST Immunology Joint Symposium held at NYCU Yangming Campus on May 16, 2026.
 
Edited by Chance Lai
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Leading immunologists and physician-scientists from Taiwan, the United States, and South Korea convened in Taiwan this May for the 2nd Taiwan–Harvard–KAIST Immunology Joint Symposium, an international gathering focused on the latest advances in cancer immunology, neuroimmunology, and translational medicine.

Co-organized by National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYCU), the National Health Research Institutes (NHRI), and Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, the symposium opened on May 15 at Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and continued on May 16 at NYCU’s Yangming Campus. Bringing together researchers from NYCU, Harvard Medical School, and the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), the event provided a platform for in-depth discussions on emerging discoveries, clinical applications, and future directions in immunology research.

The symposium highlighted NYCU’s growing international presence in biomedical sciences while underscoring the strength of long-term scientific partnerships among Taiwan, the United States, and South Korea.

Distinguished guests and faculty members from Taiwan, the United States, and South Korea pose for a group photo during the symposium.
Distinguished guests and faculty members from Taiwan, the United States, and South Korea pose for a group photo during the symposium.

Building an International Platform for Biomedical Collaboration

During the opening session at NYCU, Professor Shie-Liang Hsieh, chief organizer of the symposium, reflected on the origins and evolution of the trilateral partnership.

He noted that Dr. Gene Lay, founder and CEO of BioLegend, has long championed global biomedical research through the Laygend Foundation. With the foundation’s support, research funding was provided to Brigham and Women’s Hospital at Harvard Medical School to establish the Gene Lay Institute of Immunology and Inflammation (GLI), which promotes research and therapeutic development in areas such as neurodegenerative disorders, immune-mediated diseases, and cancer.

Building on this foundation, NYCU Vice President Muh-Hwa Yang and NHRI President Shie-Liang Hsieh traveled to Boston in October 2023 to sign a five-year memorandum of understanding with GLI, thereby formally establishing an international research platform to strengthen collaboration in cancer immunology, neuroinflammation, and translational medicine. The partnership integrates research resources, talent development, and academic exchange to enhance Taiwan’s global impact in biomedical science.

In recognition of his contributions to biotechnology innovation and international scientific collaboration, NYCU awarded Dr. Lay an Honorary Doctor of Science degree in October 2024. NYCU President Chi-Hung Lin presented the honor in acknowledgment of Dr. Lay’s achievements in advancing both the biotechnology industry and global academic partnerships.

The collaboration expanded further in May 2025 when KAIST hosted the inaugural Taiwan–U.S.–Korea Trilateral Joint Symposium. Focusing on cancer immunology and the immunology of aging, the event marked the official launch of a long-term framework for scientific collaboration and talent exchange among the three regions.

Strengthening Scientific Exchange Across Border

This year’s symposium brought 19 visiting scholars from the United States and South Korea to Taiwan. Many participants arrived several days early to attend the 2026 International Medical Metabolism Conference, hosted by NHRI from May 13–14, where researchers explored topics ranging from metabolic medicine and immune regulation to nutrition and aging.



The immunology symposium itself drew more than 150 faculty members, researchers, and students to NYCU’s Ho Ying Tsai Memorial Hall. Seventeen invited scholars from Harvard, KAIST, and other leading institutions delivered presentations and engaged in discussions that highlighted the value of international collaboration in addressing complex biomedical challenges.

New Insights Into Cancer and Immune Regulation

The symposium’s keynote address was delivered by Professor Ana C. Anderson of Harvard Medical School, a leading authority in tumor immunology and T-cell regulation and a pioneer in TIM-3 research.

Anderson recently entered into a three-year research collaboration agreement with NYCU Vice President Muh-Hwa Yang to investigate the tumor microenvironment in early-onset cancers. During her presentation, she shared findings from single-cell RNA sequencing studies of colorectal cancer across different age groups, revealing distinct immune microenvironment characteristics associated with early-onset disease.

Professor Jeong Seok Lee of KAIST followed with research examining spatial changes in the tumor microenvironment during immunotherapy for metastatic gastric cancer and how these changes influence treatment response and drug resistance. Professor Ji Eun Oh, also from KAIST, discussed how abnormal B-cell differentiation affects the durability and diversity of antibody-mediated immune responses in cancer patients.

Exploring the Intersection of the Nervous and Immune Systems

The symposium’s second session focused on neuroimmunology and inflammatory regulation. Professor Michael Wheeler of Harvard MedicalSchool presented research investigating how communication between the brain and peripheral organs shapes physiological regulation and behavior. Professor Je-Min Choi of Hanyang University examined the activation states and functions of CD4 T cells in neuroinflammatory autoimmune diseases. At the same time, Professor Caroline Sokol of Harvard Medical School discussed emerging insights into the interactions between the nervous and immune systems during allergic inflammatory responses.

Together, the presentations reflected some of the most active and rapidly evolving areas of contemporary immunology research, spanning fundamental biological mechanisms, disease pathology, and potential therapeutic strategies.

Looking Toward the Next Symposium

The 3rd Taiwan–Harvard–KAIST Immunology Joint Symposium is expected to be held in Boston, continuing the momentum of this growing international partnership.

Organizers anticipate expanding collaborative research in cancer immunology, immunology of aging, neuroinflammation, and related fields. Through sustained academic exchange, joint research initiatives, and talent development programs, the trilateral alliance aims to accelerate scientific discovery and strengthen global biomedical innovation.

For Taiwan, the partnership also represents a valuable opportunity to enhance international visibility and deepen its contributions to the global scientific community, reinforcing its position as an important hub for immunology and translational medicine research.

International speakers participating in the 2nd Taiwan–Harvard–KAIST Immunology Joint Symposium on May 16, 2026. Top row (left to right): Ana C. Anderson, Michael Wheeler, and Caroline Sokol. Bottom row (left to right): Jeong Seok Lee, Ji Eun Oh, and Je-Min Choi.International speakers participating in the 2nd Taiwan–Harvard–KAIST Immunology Joint Symposium on May 16, 2026. Top row (left to right): Ana C. Anderson, Michael Wheeler, and Caroline Sokol. Bottom row (left to right): Jeong Seok Lee, Ji Eun Oh, and Je-Min Choi.
文、照片/楊慕華副校長室

「第二屆臺-美-韓三邊國際聯合學術研討會(2nd Taiwan–Harvard–KAIST Immunology Joint Symposium)」於今(2026)年在臺灣盛大舉行,由國立陽明交通大學攜手國家衛生研究院及林口長庚紀念醫院共同主辦。研討會於5月15日在林口長庚紀念醫院隆重揭幕,並於5月16日移師國立陽明交通大學陽明校區接續登場。

本次研討會匯聚來自臺灣、美國哈佛醫學院(Harvard Medical School)及韓國科學技術院(Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, KAIST)等國際頂尖專家學者,聚焦癌症免疫、轉譯免疫醫學等前沿議題,深入交流免疫醫學最新研究成果與臨床應用發展趨勢。會中學術討論熱烈、交流互動踴躍,不僅充分展現國立陽明交通大學於腫瘤與免疫研究領域的卓越實力與國際影響力,更彰顯臺、美、韓三方在生醫科研合作上的深厚基礎與緊密夥伴關係。

跨國合作平台成形 攜手建構國際科研橋梁

本次跨單位合作研討會總召集人謝世良教授於5月16日活動開場時,特別介紹臺、美、韓三方學術合作的緣起與發展歷程。他表示,美國百進生技公司(BioLegend)創辦人暨執行長賴正光博士,長期致力推動全球生醫研究發展,並透過Laygend 基金會(Laygend Foundation)捐贈研究經費予哈佛醫學院布萊根婦女醫院(Brigham and Women’s Hospital, BWH),成立「賴正光免疫學與炎症基因研究中心」(The Gene Lay Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, GLI),積極投入神經退化疾病、免疫疾病及癌症等重大疾病之基礎研究與新藥開發。

在此合作基礎下,國立陽明交通大學副校長楊慕華與國家衛生研究院主任謝世良於2023年10月赴美國波士頓,代表臺方與GLI共同簽署五年期合作備忘錄,正式建立跨國研究合作平台。雙方期盼透過國際研究資源整合、人才培育及學術交流,深化臺美於癌症免疫、神經發炎及轉譯醫學等領域之合作能量,進一步提升臺灣在國際生醫研究上的影響力。

為感謝賴正光博士長期促進臺灣國際學術交流、推動生物科技創新發展,以及對全球生醫研究的重要貢獻,國立陽明交通大學於2024年10月由林奇宏校長頒授名譽理學博士學位,以表彰其在全球生物科技產業及國際學術合作推動上的卓越成就。此外,2025年5月,首屆「臺-美-韓三邊聯合學術會議」由韓國科學技術院(KAIST)於韓國主辦,以癌症免疫學與老化免疫學為核心主題,正式揭開臺、美、韓三方長期科研合作與人才交流的序幕,也象徵跨國生醫科研合作網絡逐步成形,為未來國際合作奠定重要里程碑。
 


臺、美、韓三方合作再深化 跨國延續國際學術交流盛會

此次共有來自美國與韓國共19位學者來臺參與交流,並自5月11日起陸續抵臺。訪團首先參與由國家衛生研究院於5月13日至14日舉辦之「2026國際代謝醫學研討會」(2026 International Medical Metabolism Conference),針對代謝醫學、免疫調控及營養與老化研究等重要議題進行深入交流,充分展現跨領域國際合作的豐碩成果。接續於5月16日假國立陽明交通大學陽明校區守仁樓膺才廳舉行之「第二屆臺-美-韓三邊國際聯合學術研討會」中,共有來自美、韓17位學者蒞臨陽明校區進行專題演講與學術交流,現場吸引超過150位校內外師生熱情參與。活動現場座無虛席,與會者提問踴躍、交流熱烈,充分展現國際學術合作所激盪出的研究能量與創新火花。

本次研討會邀請哈佛醫學院教授 Ana C. Anderson 擔任 keynote speaker,其專長於腫瘤免疫學與T細胞調控研究,為TIM-3研究領域的重要先驅之一,並已於2025年5月與國立陽明交通大學楊慕華教授簽署為期三年的合作備忘錄(MOU),共同聚焦年輕化癌症之腫瘤微環境研究。此次演講中, Ana Anderson教授分享跨年齡層大腸直腸癌之單核RNA定序圖譜研究成果,揭示早發性大腸直腸癌的獨特腫瘤特徵與免疫微環境變化,引發與會者高度關注。隨後,韓國科學技術院(KAIST)學者 Jeong Seok Lee 教授分享轉移性胃癌於免疫治療過程中腫瘤微環境的空間變化,以及其對治療反應與抗藥性的影響;KAIST的 Ji Eun Oh 教授則探討癌症患者B細胞分化異常如何影響抗體免疫反應之持久性與多樣性。

第二場次聚焦神經免疫與發炎調控研究。哈佛醫學院 Michael Wheeler 教授探討腦部與身體間訊號傳遞如何影響複雜行為與生理調控機制;韓國漢陽大學Je-Min Choi 教授解析神經發炎性自體免疫疾病中CD4 T細胞的活化狀態及功能角色;最後,由哈佛醫學院 Caroline Sokol 教授分享神經系統與免疫系統於過敏性發炎反應中的交互作用與調控機制。整體演講內容涵蓋基礎研究、臨床應用及新興治療策略等多元面向,充分展現當前國際前沿研究趨勢,並引發與會人員熱烈討論與深度交流。

「第三屆臺-美-韓三邊國際聯合學術研討會」預計將由美方接續主辦,並移師美國波士頓舉行,持續深化臺、美、韓三方頂尖研究機構之跨國合作鏈結,進一步拓展癌症免疫、老化免疫及神經發炎等關鍵醫學領域之研究合作。未來三方也將持續透過學術交流、人才培育與科研資源整合,共同推動前瞻生醫研究與創新發展。此一三邊合作平台不僅促進國際頂尖學者間之長期交流與實質合作,更有助於加速科研成果轉譯及擴展全球科研合作能量,進一步提升臺灣於全球免疫醫學與轉譯研究領域之國際能見度、學術影響力與國際競爭力。

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