You could say Dr. Eugene Chan, a local doctor and scientist, has made his mark in the world of scientific and medical innovation. But that wouldn’t be quite accurate. The Massachusetts resident has, in fact, made a mark in outer space, too. Literally.
Chan in February saw his company’s blood analyzer that he invented launch on a rocket to the International Space Station.
Here is the story of Chan, and how this son of immigrants from Hong Kong, ended up partnering with NASA and running rHEALTH, which produces the blood sensor.
Growing up in New Jersey, Chan later earned a degree in biochemical sciences from Harvard College, and a medical degree from Harvard Medical School. He practiced at Mass General and Brigham and Women’s hospitals. But during his work with patients, he ended up with many people from whom it was difficult to obtain blood samples for various reasons. He saw the need for an immediate diagnostic blood test that could be used easily at the bedside or outside of hospital settings.
Dr. Chan then moved into the world of innovation and entrepreneurship, becoming a co-founder, president, and chief executive of several companies including U.S. Genomics and the DNA Medicine Institute and founded rHEALTH. With this experience, he was able to realize his dream of creating a device that would analyze blood samples that could enable an early prediction for conditions such as cancer, radiation exposure, or even a medical crisis such as a cardiac emergency. His device was then modified for the unique conditions of spaceflight where a lack of medical assistance and close quarters can complicate responses to medical emergencies.
NASA launched in late February the rHEALTH ONE blood analyzer to space on the Commercial Resupply Mission NG-17. The device was carried to the International Space Station by the NG-17 Cygnus spacecraft.
The device is also planned for a trip to Mars in 2033, where the blood analyzer will safeguard astronauts under conditions of low and no gravity and under constant exposure to radiation. NASA foresees routine use for the device as a diagnostic tool.
Dr. Chan was present on Wallops Island, Virginia for the February launch of the Northrup Grumman Anares Rocket, carrying a NG-18 Cygnus spacecraft.
“This is a marvel of long collaboration with NASA,” Dr. Chan said. “The device is designed to provide both comprehensive health information for astronauts while traveling to Mars, and accessible autonomous health for all on Earth.”
For those of us on Earth, Chan envisions a world in which most households have access to the analyzer. He also sees the device as useful for those who might distrust the medical system.
Chan acknowledges the sacrifices his father, a chemist, and his mother, a homemaker, made to enable his career and eventual successes.
Today, Chan’s innovative team of engineers, scientists, and coders have “a unified vision for the daring and impossible” as they look to the future.
SAMPAN, published by the nonprofit Asian American Civic Association, is the only bilingual Chinese-English newspaper in New England, acting as a bridge between Asian American community organizations and individuals in the Greater Boston area. It is published biweekly and distributed free-of-charge throughout metro Boston; it is also delivered to as far away as Hawaii.
