In Memoriam
of Alex Tung
Alexander Tzu-Jay Tung (BS '00,
MS '02, PhD '10 in Electrical Engineering) born on December 24, 1978, passed
away on March 24, 2010 at the age of 31, after three years of battling
embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma. He was an accomplished artist, educator, writer,
and engineer. His motivation and efforts in diverse fields from product design
to medical device technologies stemmed from the common goal of improving
peoples lives. His PhD research centered on medical technologies to
deliver minimally-invasive treatments, allowing great reductions in patient
trauma and recovery times, as well as improved accessibility of procedures.
Alexs high personal standard, strong ethics. and perseverance exhibited
in his early years by his achievement of Eagle Scout and numerous school
awards, continued to strengthen throughout his life.
Alex was an invaluable member and
inspirational leader of many science outreach programs designed to spark an
interest in science in young children, including
Science Bus and
Cosmos Education. He worked
extensively with the Haas
Center for Public Service in such projects as
Stanford Anthology for Youth,
and helped establish the Office of Engineering and Public
Service as its first director with the goal of integrating public service
into university courses. Alex was also instrumental in creating ENGR110/210,
Perspectives in Assistive Technology, a course at Stanford that explores
the broad spectrum of issues surrounding the design, development, and use of
technology that benefits people with disabilities.
In his free time, Alex enjoyed music,
photography, rock climbing, skiing, hiking, and just spending time with friends
and family. He is deeply missed by family, friends, colleagues, and faculty
whom he touched with his thoughtfulness, caring, and wit.
In May 2010, the Alex Tung Memorial
Laboratory for Assistive Technology and Experimental Mechanics at Stanford
University was dedicated to honor Alexs commitment to technology and
improving people's lives.
The
Alexander Tung Memorial
Fellowship was created in 2012 to provide a fellow with the opportunity to
explore the use of Science and Technology for the benefit of society at large.
One project-based fellowship will receive this award.
In
Memory of Alex Tung from Cosmos Education
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