Bio
Dr. Che-Hong Chen is a molecular biologist and geneticist at the Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford University, School of Medicine. Dr. Chen’s research focuses on aldehyde toxicity and the function of the ALDH multi-gene family in humans. His research is highlighted by the discovery of a class of novel enzyme modulators of aldehyde dehydrogenase. Some of these small molecule modulators are potent enzyme activators for the variant East Asian-specific dysfunctional ALDH2 which causes the alcohol flushing syndrome and affects approximately 560 million people, or 8% of the world population. Using an ALDH2-deficient mouse model in combination with clinical research, Dr. Chen is currently studying the molecular mechanisms underlying the pathology of diseases associated with aldehyde toxicity and genetic susceptibility of ALDH variation in human populations. Together with Prof. Daria Mochly-Rosen, Che-Hong established the Stanford-Taiwan ALDH2 Deficiency Research (STAR) consortium (now International ALDH2 STAR Research Consortium) in 2015. In 2017, Dr. Chen founded a non-profit organization of Taiwan Alcohol Intolerance Education Society (TAIES) in Taiwan. Dr. Chen is now actively promoting public health education, cancer prevention and the awareness of health risks associated with harmful alcohol use and alcohol flushing caused by ALDH2 deficiency in Taiwan and East Asia.
Current Role at Stanford
Senior Research Scientist
CEO, International ALDH2 STAR Research Consortium
Director of China, Singapore, and Taiwan Outreach, Center for Asian Health Research and Education Center