CUHK Shenzhen Medical School Vice Dean Dies at 65 During Xi'an Conference
RTHK · 2 SOURCES1 day ago6 MIN
Summary
Professor Li Renke (李仁科), Vice Dean for Research and Translation at the Medical School of the Chinese University of Hong Kong (Shenzhen), died on Saturday, October 10, 2026, at age 65 while attending an academic conference in Xi'an. An internationally recognized pioneer in cardiovascular regenerative medicine and biomedical engineering, Li was the first scientist worldwide to secure FDA approval for stem cell transplantation as a treatment for heart failure. He relocated to CUHK (Shenzhen) in March 2025 after nearly four decades of work abroad, dedicating himself to advancing regenerative medicine and interdisciplinary research. His passing has drawn an outpouring of tributes from the academic community, with memorial services scheduled in Xi'an on October 15 and at CUHK (Shenzhen) on October 17.
Key Points
- Li Renke was born in Harbin, Heilongjiang Province in 1961, and pursued medical education at Harbin Medical University, Shanxi Medical University, and the University of Toronto, where he earned a PhD in clinical biochemistry .
- He was appointed Dean of the Medical School (Research and Translation) and University Chair Professor at CUHK (Shenzhen) in March 2025, overseeing scientific research and technology transfer initiatives .
- Li was the world's first scientist to obtain FDA approval for stem cell transplantation to treat heart failure, and pioneered the application of conductive biomaterials in cardiac arrhythmia research .
- He formulated the "3R" framework—Repair, Regeneration, and Rejuvenation—in regenerative medicine, establishing a new paradigm for treating heart failure .
- Li served as a member of the State Council Overseas Chinese Affairs Office Expert Advisory Committee and as a reviewer for National Natural Science Foundation and Ministry of Science and Technology projects .
Why It Matters
Li Renke's death represents a significant loss to China's biomedical research community at a time when the nation is striving for breakthroughs in regenerative medicine and biomedical engineering. His pioneering work in stem cell therapy for heart failure placed him among the world's leading scientists in the field, and his contributions to interdisciplinary research models at CUHK (Shenzhen) were expected to drive innovation in Greater Bay Area healthcare development .
Li Renke's death represents a significant loss to China's biomedical research community at a time when the nation is striving for breakthroughs in regenerative medicine and biomedical engineering. His pioneering work in stem cell therapy for heart failure placed him among the world's leading scientists in the field, and his contributions to interdisciplinary research models at CUHK (Shenzhen) were expected to drive innovation in Greater Bay Area healthcare development .