Che-Hong Chen

Dr. Che-Hong Chen is a molecular biologist and geneticist at Stanford University School of Medicine. Dr. Chen’s research focuses on aldehyde toxicity and the function of the ALDH multi-gene family in humans. His research has led to the discovery of a class of novel enzyme modulators of aldehyde dehydrogenase. These small molecule modulators (Aldas) are potent enzyme activators for the variant East Asian-specific dysfunctional ALDH2 which causes the alcohol flushing syndrome (alcohol intolerance) and affects approximately 540 million people (8% of the world population). Analogs based on a lead compound, Alda-1, is now under clinical development. Using an ALDH2-deficient mouse model in combination with clinical research, Dr. Chen is currently studying genetic variations, molecular interaction between different ALDH isozymes and the mechanisms underlying the pathology of neurodegenerative diseases associated with aldehyde toxicity in human. Together with Prof. Daria Mochly-Rosen at Stanford University, Dr. Chen established the Stanford-Taiwan ALDH2 Deficiency Research (STAR) Consortium (now International ALDH2 STAR Research Consortium) in 2015. In 2017, Dr. Chen founded the Taiwan Alcohol Intolerance Education Society (TAIES), a non-profit educational and advocacy organization, in Taiwan. Dr. Chen also serves as a country director for the Stanford Center for Asian Health Research and Education (CARE) where he leads the promotion of public health education on alcohol intolerance and the awareness of health risks associated with harmful alcohol drinking and prevention of alcohol-related cancer in Taiwan and East Asia.