Ja-Liang Lin

Education and medical career Lin trained as a nephrologist at Taipei Medical University.

Public health advocacy Lin was a leading public health advocate, and one of Taiwan's best-known toxicologists. He gained a reputation as a public health expert and science communicator during a series of mass scares in Taiwan over health issues, including hornet attacks, lead poisoning and contaminated food. He regularly advised the Taiwanese Department of Health and Welfare on medical policy, food safety and potential threats to public health. Lin also conducted research into new vaccines and their effects on human health, and established a medical service team to provide free health consultations in poorer communities.

Death On 2 August 2013, Lin lapsed into a coma after contracting a lung infection; prior to this, he had undergone dialysis for 20 years due to renal problems. His condition rapidly worsened, and on 5 August he died, aged 55, of pneumonia and multiple organ failure at his former workplace, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital. The hospital subsequently set up a medical research fund in Lin's honour.