Honoring the Legacy of Dr. Christina Chung-Lun Wang
The UCLA Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI) and Community Engagement and Research Program (CERP) mourn the passing of Dr. Christina Chung-Lun Wang, an extraordinary physician-scientist, mentor, and leader whose contributions have left an enduring impact on translational science, patient care, and community engagement.
For more than three decades, Dr. Wang served the Harbor-UCLA community and The Lundquist Institute with exceptional dedication. As Senior Associate Director and CTSI Co-Leader at The Lundquist Institute with Dr. Loren Miller, she worked alongside Dr. Arleen Brown, Dr. Keith Norris, and many others to strengthen UCLA CTSI's mission of accelerating research that improves health for all Californians. Colleagues remember her not only for her scientific brilliance, but also for her generosity, warmth, humility, and unwavering commitment to mentoring the next generation of investigators. She continued to work hard into the final weeks of her life, including providing thoughtful guidance on UCLA CTSI's successful grant application and lecturing at the Fifth Congress of the International Consortium for Male Contraception (ICMC) in Bethesda, Maryland just days before her passing. She had been a founding member and Chief Financial Officer for the ICMC.
Dr. Wang was an internationally recognized endocrinologist and translational researcher whose career advanced the fields of reproductive endocrinology, andrology, and hormone research. She authored more than 350 peer-reviewed publications, led more than 300 clinical research studies, and was a passionate advocate for young investigators throughout her distinguished career. Her pioneering work in hormonal male contraception and male reproductive health has inspired many others in the field, including the co-founders of YourChoice Therapeutics, who seek to develop the first hormone-free birth control pill for men.
Among her many accomplishments, Dr. Wang was Principal Investigator for a $9 million California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) grant awarded eight months ago to establish the South Los Angeles Community Center of Excellence for Regenerative Medicine at The Lundquist Institute in partnership with the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services. The initiative will expand access to innovative gene and cell therapies for historically underserved communities while creating new opportunities for education, workforce development, and community engagement.
Dr. Wang's legacy extends far beyond her research accomplishments. She frequently mentioned how much she learned from the late community leaders Ms. Loretta Jones and Kawen Young. Dr. Wang also worked closely with community leaders Ms. Pluscedia Williams, Dominga Pardo, and Audrey Kawaiopua Alo to engage with the local Black, Latino, and Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (NHPI) communities, respectively. As a longtime advocate for the local NHPI community, she partnered with Ms. Alo (Hawai'i's Daughters Guild) and Ualani Ho'opai (Pacific Islander Health Partnership) to host a 2024 symposium on epigenetics and the impact of individual dietary choices on families and future generations. Dr. Rachelle Bross used her nutrition training to tailor original recipes provided by local community leaders. The event featured opportunities to taste test healthier versions of traditional CHamoru, Hawaiian, Marshallese, Samoan, and Tongan dishes and participate in various activities. Dr. Wang also made an effort to show up at community events and was known for hitting the dance floor.
She believed deeply in collaboration, mentorship, and ensuring that scientific discovery translated into meaningful improvements for patients and communities. Her leadership strengthened the UCLA CTSI and CERP community, and her influence will continue to inspire colleagues, trainees, and partners for years to come.
We extend our deepest condolences to Dr. Wang's family, friends, colleagues, trainees, and the Harbor-UCLA and Lundquist communities. She will be profoundly missed and remembered with great gratitude.