Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Wu Lien-teh

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Wu Lien-teh

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Wu Lien-teh made an impact.

Wu Lien-teh was a Malayan physician who made significant contributions to public health. He is best known for his work during the Manchurian plague of 1910-1911, where he implemented measures to control the epidemic. Wu is also credited with inventing the Wu mask, a precursor to the modern N95 respirator, which played a crucial role in preventing the spread of the plague. His efforts were instrumental in containing the outbreak and demonstrated the importance of public health interventions in managing infectious diseases.

September 1903: Joined the Institute for Medical Research

In September 1903, Wu joined the Institute for Medical Research in Kuala Lumpur as the first research student.

1904: Entered Private Practice

Towards the end of 1904, Wu entered private practice in Chulia Street, George Town, Penang.

1908: Vice Director of the Imperial Army Medical College

In 1908, Dr. Wu accepted the offer to become the Vice Director of the Imperial Army Medical College in Tianjin.

1910: Manchurian plague of 1910–11

In 1910, Wu Lien-teh was noted for his work in public health, particularly regarding the Manchurian plague of 1910–11.

1910: Investigate Unknown Disease

In the winter of 1910, Wu was instructed to travel to Harbin to investigate an unknown disease, marking the beginning of the pneumonic plague epidemic.

April 1911: Chaired International Plague Conference

In April 1911, Wu chaired the International Plague Conference in Mukden (Shenyang), attended by scientists from various countries.

August 1911: Presented Plague Research Paper

In August 1911, Wu presented a plague research paper at the International Congress of Medicine in London, published in The Lancet.

1912: Director of the Manchurian Plague Service

In 1912, Wu became the first director of the Manchurian Plague Service.

1916: President of the Chinese Medical Association

From 1916–1920, Wu was a founder member and first president of the Chinese Medical Association.

1920: President of the Chinese Medical Association

From 1916–1920, Wu was a founder member and first president of the Chinese Medical Association.

1920: Combating Cholera Pandemic

In 1920, Wu led the efforts to combat the 1920-21 cholera pandemic in the north-east of China.

1935: Nomination for Nobel Prize

In 1935, Wu Lien-teh became the first Malayan nominated for the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.

1939: Moved back to Malaya

Around 1939, Wu moved back to Malaya and continued to work as a general practitioner in Ipoh.