Shung Chang Jong

On the evening of Sunday, May 17, 2020, Dr. Shung Chang Jong passed away peacefully at his home in Bristow, Virginia, after a courageous battle with prostate cancer. He is survived by his loving wife, Chiu Hwa Jong, and his cherished three daughters, Dr. Maria Jong, Cynthia Son and Victoria Jong. Shung also leaves behind his six beloved grandchildren – Brian, Joshua, Katherine, Samantha, Stephanie and Nicole – as well as countless family, friends, and colleagues who fondly remember him for his kindness and generosity. Shung was born on November 12, 1936 in Hualien, Taiwan to Mu-Shai Jong and Fen Cheng. He received a B.S. degree in plant pathology from the National Taiwan University in 1960 and a M.S. degree in biological sciences from Western Illinois University in 1966. Upon completion of his Ph.D. in mycology and plant pathology at Washington State University in 1969, he joined the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) staff, where he worked for more than 45 years. He was a Fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology and the Washington Academy of Sciences. He was a Ph.D. Dissertation Director at the George Washington University Medical School and Georgetown University. He also held positions as Director of ATCC Microbiology Division, Director of the Yeast Genetic Stock Center, and Director of Mycology, Botany and Protistology Programs. Most recently, he served as a Global Regulatory Affairs Specialist at ATCC. Shung’s research interests included biotechnological applications and cryopreservation of microbial and cell cultures; mushroom biotechnology; biotechnological patent laws; intellectual capital and asset management; fungal molecular systematics; dietary supplements, and fungal cell wall glycans. He was the author or co-author of more than 250 publications and lectured extensively in North America and worldwide on the intellectual asset management of biological resources, on the medicinal aspects of mushrooms and on mushroom cultivation. He was awarded numerous research grants and contracts from the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), as well as Brown-Hazen Grants from Research Corporation in New York. Shung was an Affiliate Professor at George Washington University, George Mason University, Wuhan University, Shanghai Teachers University, and Yunnan University, and an Honorary Director of the Shanghai Association of International Exchange of Personnel in China. He has served as a Technical Advisor to the Yamazaki Baking Co., Kirin Brewery Co., and KIKKOMAN Soy Sauce Co.in Tokyo; the Biotech Research Laboratories, Inc., and the Ameri-BioChem Inc. in the U.S.; and MycoBiotech Inc. in Singapore, to name a few. He was honored by the American Society for Microbiology and U.S. Federation for Culture Collections in 1997 with the J. Roger Porter Award. In China, Shung was recognized by the Ministry of Agriculture with the Agricultural Award for International Science and Technology Cooperation in 1988, by the City of Shanghai with White Magnolia Honor-Medal Award for Shanghai’s Construction and Cooperation in 1996, and by the State Bureau of Foreign Experts with Friendship Award for China’s Construction and Cooperation in 1997. He was an avid home team fan of the Washington Redskins and the Washington Nationals. Baseball was his favorite sport to watch, as he played as a catcher in his youth. He loved to travel and explore, take long walks around the neighborhood, garden alongside his wife and spend time with family. Seafood was his favorite, particularly sashimi and oysters. All who knew him cherished his caring nature and warm smile. Many called him “big brother” for providing guidance and support throughout their lives. He was a shining star who will be dearly missed. The family plans to hold a celebration of life ceremony for Shung in Virginia when circumstances permit.

Shung Chang Jong

November 12, 1936 - May 17, 2020