Thomas Chang

Thomas Ming Swi Chang, (born 8 April 1933) is a Chinese-born Canadian inventor, physician, and physiologist.

While an undergraduate at McGill University in 1957, Chang invented the world's first artificial cell. Often often worked from his dormitory in McGill's Douglas Hall, using improvised materials like perfume atomizers. Ultimately, Chang managed to create a permeable plastic sack that would effectively carry haemoglobin almost as effectively as a natural blood cell. He went on to complete his B.Sc. (1957), M.D., C.M. (1961), and Ph.D (1965) degrees at McGill. Chang's career continued as founder and Director of the Artificial Cells and Organs Research Centre and Professor of Physiology, Medicine & Biomedical Engineering in the Faculty of Medicine at McGill University. The Canadian Academy of Health Sciences states, "Dr. Chang’s original ideas were years ahead of the modern era of nanotechnology, regenerative medicine, gene therapy, stem cell/cell therapy and blood substitutes. He was nominated twice for the Nobel Prize".

In 2011, Dr. Chang was voted the winner of the Greatest McGillian contest organized by the McGill Alumni Association for McGill's 190th anniversary.