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Dr. Ho-Leung Fung is internationally known as a Scientist, Educator, and Editor-in-Chief. To his students and colleagues, he is also Advisor, Mentor, Chair, President, and Friend. With a distinguished career spanning nearly 5 decades, Dr. Fung made lasting impacts on over 60 graduate students, post-docs, visiting scholars, and undergraduate students - with an additional 200+ “grand and great grand-students” to boot. Leung has been the anchor and guide to generations of young scientists, who are now making their mark around the world in Academia, Pharmaceutical Industry and Regulatory Agencies. To those who are fortunate to know him, he is an incredibly generous person who welcomes all with open arms. While he was tough and held his students to the highest standards, Dr. Fung was also patient and nurturing, always showing a genuine interest in the growth and well-being of his trainees. The Fung Lab was a home away from home for all and a great place to learn and make life-long friends. This was evident in the excitement and enthusiasm expressed by the Fungites / Alumni when reached to establish this Fellowship in honor of Dr. Fung.
Memorable “FUNG-ism” Quotes
Tributes from Trainees, Friends, and Colleagues
Ellen Wang & Wooin Lee: "Dr. Fung and Sun Mi were like surrogate parents during our years at UB and the Fung Lab was our extended family. We will forever remember the Wednesday night lab dinners! We are fortunate to have been trained in such a nurturing environment! The problem-solving skills we learned from Dr. Fung have shaped our respective careers! We are honored to have Dr. Fung and Sun Mi in our lives!"
Gayle & Daniel Brazeau: "We are profoundly grateful for all the guidance, mentorship, and friendship that Dr. Fung and Sun-Mi have given over the years. You always knew you were in a safe and understanding learning environment in their presence. They have shown all of us what caring, and commitment looks like when you are a mentor, alumni, colleague, and most importantly as a friend. Dr. Fung and Sun-Mi have and continue to make our Buffalo family more connected, promote our intellectual and scientific curiosity, and demonstrate the importance to share a laugh and enjoy each other’s company."
Joe Balthasar: "In all of types of activities, Dr. Fung always did things the way that they should be done, with the perfect mix of rigor and leniency, sternness and empathy, seriousness and humor. It was easy to follow his lead as a student, and then as a faculty member – he was always right! Following the conclusion of any meeting with Dr. Fung, I have always left with the wish that I could be more like him."
Mo Tabrizi: "I am blessed to be a part of Leung’s laboratory and have been privileged to benefit from his mentorship."
Donny Tran: "In addition to the scientific rigor and guidance afforded me in the Fung Laboratory, Dr. Fung and Mrs. Fung cared for me like one of their children. I am forever indebted to Dr. Fung and Mrs. Fung."
Brian Booth: "Leung epitomizes the gentleman scholar, ethical, patient, diligent, well-read and constantly asking the next question. The greatest lesson he taught his students was to think."
Eliza Tsou: "Dr. Fung is instrumental in shaping the scientist I am today. He taught me the fundamentals of research and the values of great science. He taught me to take risks and aim big. He taught me the importance of communication, especially as an international student. His role in preparing me for the challenges ahead was transformative, and I owe him a deep debt of gratitude."
Tristan Maurer: "Being part of the Fung lab was a very special time in my life and an experience that has had a lasting impact on me both personally and professionally. In many ways, being in the Fung lab was like being part of a family, united and thriving under Leung’s contagious passion for science and hard work. Under his mentorship, I learned how to learn, how to think through problems, and interact with others in a way that has enabled me to have a fulfilling and lasting career in science. I have also benefitted from Leung’s sense of being part of something bigger than ourselves, something that has kept me diligent, humble and grateful throughout my career and personal life. It’s an honor and privilege to be associated with Leung and to be a small part of his larger legacy in pharmaceutical sciences."
Anu Shilpa Krishnatry: "Dr. Fung has been one of the most important figures in my professional career. He has been an inspiration to me in so many ways. I feel privileged to be part of the Fung lab."
Jerry Fetterly: "Dr. Fung is a critical thinker that always inspired the students and peers to become leaders."
Craig Svensson: "Leung has made an immeasurable impact as a scientist, leader, and educator. Though not a member of the Fung lab, Leung always gave me a listening ear and helpful advice during my time as a graduate student and post-doc. As I have progressed through my career, he has been a valued mentor and friend. His commitment to excellence, fair-mindedness, and effective leadership have provided a legacy worth honoring!"
Mario Rocci: "Dr. Fung epitomizes the ideal for a university professor. In a personable, humble and empathic way, his work has advanced to a high degree, research in the pharmaceutical sciences, and the education and mentoring of future pharmaceutical scientists and pharmacists. He has also provided unwavering service to his profession through his editorial and volunteer activities in professional organizations. All of his accomplishments and support have guided me and many others toward productive careers in the pharmaceutical sciences."
Murali Ramanathan: "Dr. Fung was an outstanding chair and an excellent mentor and advocate for his faculty. He set high standards and clear expectations for all of us. Many of the faculty who knew Dr. Fung as Chair still remember, and cite this piece of advice he gave us, “It is more important to be right than to be nice”. My life choices become a whole lot easier whenever I apply the Leung principle! Thank you, Leung for all your contributions and service to the Department."
Ash Khanna: "Beyond the scientific training, Dr. Fung instilled in me a “give it all” work ethic. He led by example. Recall this blustery, snowy Saturday morning in ’95 with 6 feet of snow on the ground, I had just started in the Fung lab and felt particularly proud that I was braving the elements to get into the lab. Dusting the snow off my jacket as I walk into Hochstetter Hall, I run smack into Dr. Fung! He gives me barely a glance but notes “Glad you didn’t let a little (!!!!) bit of snow get in the way of your experiments!” Clearly he had been there for a while. That aspirational trait stayed with me and impacted everything I’ve done. I thank Dr. Fung sincerely for inculcating that work ethic in all his students."
Kathy Boje: "No matter what accomplishments you attain, someone helped you along the way. Thank you Ho-Leung Fung."
Linh Nguyen: "I always remember Dr Fung’s mentorship and Mrs. Fung’s great kindness and caring during my years at UB. I have accomplished so much because of our department and friendships I made."
Danny Shen: "Over the years, I have come to know Leung as an insightful teacher, a supportive mentor, a respected senior faculty colleague, a trustworthy department chair, an influential elder-statesman in the wider pharmaceutical sciences community, and above all a dear and reliable friend. He has always treated people with honesty, integrity, and kindness. He is truly a gentleman and a scholar. It is befitting that we should presently celebrate and honor Leung for he is a shining example of what a distinguished academician ought to represent."
Dhaval Shah: "Dr. Fung has left indelible mark on the field of Pharmaceutical Sciences, through his service and leadership to the community and the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at UB. I am fortunate to have him as my academic grandfather, and there is hardly a week that goes by without me remembering his scientific or philosophical teachings. I strive every day to uphold the standards he has established for the field of pharmaceutical sciences, and try my best to continue his legacy."
Sandy Pang: "One cannot miss the BIG and infectious smile of Leung. I enjoyed working with him on the graduate student Toronto Buffalo exchanges in 1998 and 2000. These exchanges are great and give a chance for Toronto and Buffalo folks to mingle. In Buffalo, Dr. Ho-Leung Fung shared his famous hospitability and took us to savor the surrounding Chinese restaurants. In these encounters, I discovered that Leung has a genuine interest in the well being of the graduate students. I remembered inviting Leung to Toronto for a seminar, and his title included NO, a very appropriate response for Quebec not to split from Canada that year. I met Leung’s young children and of course Sun-Mi briefly when we attended the Kyoto meeting, where we enjoyed an unforgettable geisha party. Buffalo is fortunate to have Leung for both for his science and genuine care of graduate students."
Matteo Beretta: "Congratulations Dr. Fung for this exceptional and successful milestone. Your research inspired several scientists throughout the world and made us all a bit better! Many Happy Returns!"
Charvi Nanavati: "I was lucky enough to take some of Dr. Fung’s classes and they were some of the best of my initial graduate school years."
Karen Schneck: "Thank you for being an inspiration to myself and so many others. I strive to live up to the example you have set in your career and day-to-day life -- with humility, to always serve and help others."
David E. Smith: "I want to express my heartfelt thanks for giving me the opportunity to work in your laboratory as an undergraduate pharmacy student at SUNY Buffalo. Little did I know then that this experience would so greatly influence my future direction and career. I also want to thank you for your continued support, mentorship, and friendship over the years. It means more to me than you might imagine."
Jean-Michel Scherrmann: "I have been very lucky to meet a visionary and humanist like Leung. Thanks Leung for giving me over the years your smart mentorship and constant encouragements. Thanks Leung for your deep friendship that brought our two families together. You are a role model for all of us: always optimistic, looking to the future, tolerant and peaceful. Last but not least, your academic, research and community career has made you a distinguished world leader for the advancement of the Pharmaceutical Sciences. Lucky and proud to be your friend."
Liz Rugg: "When I began working as Dr. Fung‘s assistant, I must admit, I was a bit intimidated and basically had no idea what I was doing. However, I quickly learned that with Dr. Fung at the helm, you can do anything! He has this uncanny ability to bring out the absolute best in everyone around him. Under his leadership the department thrived. It was a joy to watch countless students as well as his own children grow and then move on to achieve great things. I have many fond memories of those years that I will cherish always. Dr. Fung is an incredible man, and I am grateful to him for choosing me to play a small role in his amazing legacy."
William Kielbasa: "Dr. Fung had an immeasurable impact and influence on me. To this day, I reflect on his words of wisdom, teachings and “Fung-isms”, and apply them to my personal life and scientific career. They do not fail. They are always the best approach. They last the test of time. It’s proven. My sincere thanks to Dr Fung for his outstanding mentorship."
The Fung Laboratory Graduate Fellowship Endowment Fund will be used to help the Department compete for high-quality Ph.D. students. Please click on the Give Now button on the top of the page to donate to the Fung Laboratory Graduate Fellowship Endowment Fund.
Over The Decades...
Dr. Fung's Achievements
Dr. Fung has made an extraordinary contribution to the Pharmaceutical Sciences field with >250 articles on the bioanalysis, drug delivery, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of organic nitrates and the mechanism of nitrate tolerance.
Appoinments
Awards
Committee Memberships, NIH Review Committees
Scientific Journals
Education
