Leading life scientist Wu Jun, who recently left the United States to return to his homeland, believes many of the world’s top embryo researchers are now working in China.
Wu, well known for his stem cell research, particularly related to the stem cell-derived embryo model, is speaking in an office at Westlake University, in Hangzhou in the eastern province of Zhejiang. Some of his belongings remain in bags placed haphazardly on a nearby cabinet, waiting to be unpacked.
“This is just a temporary office; my lab and office are still being set up,” Wu said.
He officially joined his new institution as chair professor of stem cell biology and regenerative medicine a month ago despite being promoted to a tenured professorship at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Centre (UT Southwestern) earlier this year.
His former employer made sincere efforts to retain him, including considering a counter-offer, but he politely declined.