LOS ANGELES, Dec. 15, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- At USC Town and Gown on Monday, December 12, USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology Dean Pinchas Cohen announced the installation of Kevin Xu Chair in Gerontology and the dedication of Rongxiang Xu Regenerative Life Science Lab, made possible with generous support from biotech entrepreneur Kevin Xu.
Kevin Xu will support the school in its mission to promote healthy aging for individuals, communities and societies through leadership and innovation in research, education and practice.
"My parents' example inspired me to help others, what they gave me was more than a piece of advice -- it was a way to live. Human life is the most valuable commodity, and our highest standard is humanity's well-being," said Kevin Xu. "As our global population ages, I am proud to support the USC Davis School as they make research breakthroughs and train the next generation of gerontology leaders and entrepreneurs."
"Kevin and his late father Rongxiang Xu have demonstrated a commitment to leveraging scientific discoveries to improve the quality of life for current and future generations," said Cohen.
Rongxiang Xu was a trained surgeon who specialized in developing novel wound therapy treatments. His research in tissue repair and regeneration led to multiple U.S. patents and the growth of the multi-national company, MEBO International.
As part of the installation ceremony, Cohen presented Dr. Li Li, Rongxiang Xu's widow and Kevin's mother, with the Dean's Medallion - the highest honor the school can bestow on partners and supporters. Kevin Xu and USC Davis School Professor George Shannon were presented with miniature replica chairs to symbolize the establishment of the newly-named chair position. Shannon has been named the inaugural holder of the chair and will serve as the director of the newly-named lab.
"I am honored to be appointed to this position," said Shannon, "The Rongxiang Xu Lab, Kevin Xu Chair and Brighten Award are intergenerational testaments to the importance of the field of gerontology and USC's leadership in the field."
During the ceremony Davis School Vice Dean Kelvin Davies introduced elected officials who presented Xu with certificates of recognition from the United States Congress and the State of California. The elected officials honoring Xu included Congressman Ted Lieu, Congresswoman Judy Chu, California Treasurer John Chiang, California Assemblyman-elect Phillip Chen, former Mayor of Yorba Linda Craig Young and Diamond Bar Mayor Jimmy Lin.
Contact: Tom Tao, taogx@mebo.com
