Persistence pays for Taiwan virologist who helped stop SARS

Once ignored, Michael Ming-Chiao Lai's research saved countless lives

Michael Ming-Chiao Lai stands at the forefront of coronavirus research. (Photo by Toshiyuki Kumagai)

KENSAKU IHARA, Nikkei staff writer

May 1, 2017 02:00 JST

Michael Ming-Chiao Lai, Taiwan, Distinguished Research Fellow, Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica -- Winner for science and technology

TAIPEI -- As a young virologist, Michael Ming-Chiao Lai hoped his work would aid society "at some point." The critical moment came in 2003, when SARS sent Asia into a panic.