Winter Quarter 2013

David L. Jaffe, MS and Professor Drew Nelson Tuesdays & Thursdays   4:15pm - 5:30pm Thornton Center - Classroom 110

In Memoriam of Alex Tung

Alexander Tzu-Jay Tung (BS '00, MS '02, PhD '10 in Electrical Engineering) born on December 24, 1978, passed away on March 24, 2010 at the age of 31, after three years of battling embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma. He was an accomplished artist, educator, writer, and engineer. His motivation and efforts in diverse fields from product design to medical device technologies stemmed from the common goal of improving people’s lives. His PhD research centered on medical technologies to deliver minimally-invasive treatments, allowing great reductions in patient trauma and recovery times, as well as improved accessibility of procedures. Alex’s high personal standard, strong ethics. and perseverance exhibited in his early years by his achievement of Eagle Scout and numerous school awards, continued to strengthen throughout his life.

Alex was an invaluable member and inspirational leader of many science outreach programs designed to spark an interest in science in young children, including Science Bus and Cosmos Education. He worked extensively with the Haas Center for Public Service in such projects as Stanford Anthology for Youth, and helped establish the Office of Engineering and Public Service as its first director with the goal of integrating public service into university courses. Alex was also instrumental in creating ENGR110/210, Perspectives in Assistive Technology, a course at Stanford that explores the broad spectrum of issues surrounding the design, development, and use of technology that benefits people with disabilities.

In his free time, Alex enjoyed music, photography, rock climbing, skiing, hiking, and just spending time with friends and family. He is deeply missed by family, friends, colleagues, and faculty whom he touched with his thoughtfulness, caring, and wit.

In May 2010, the Alex Tung Memorial Laboratory for Assistive Technology and Experimental Mechanics at Stanford University was dedicated to honor Alex’s commitment to technology and improving people's lives.

The Alexander Tung Memorial Fellowship was created in 2012 to provide a fellow with the opportunity to explore the use of Science and Technology for the benefit of society at large. One project-based fellowship will receive this award.

In Memory of Alex Tung from Cosmos Education