David Chia

David Chia

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    How long have you been enrolled in the SMC Emeritus program?

    2 to 3 years.

    What was your occupation prior to retirement?

    University Professor

    What was your highest level of education?

    Earned College Bachelor Degree or higher.

    What are the top three reasons why you value the SMC Emeritus Program?

    1. Good for retirees.
    2. Good class selection.
    3. Its free.

    Pearls of Wisdom: What advice would you give your 18-year-old self?

    Find out what you want to do for the rest of your life.

    How would your advice to your 50-year-old self differ?

    I should concentrate my effort into few specific problems, and lookout for any new approach to those problems.

    What are some of your biggest accomplishments in life?

    • I am semi-retired, but still active in my scientific career. My major interest is in the early detection of cancer. I was involved in the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian Cancer screening trials (PLCO), and one of the important findings was that prostate-cancer screening by PSA provided no reduction in death rates at 7 years and that no indication of a benefit appeared with 67% of the subjects having completed 10 years of follow-up. Thus, our results support the validity of the recommendations of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, especially against screening all men over the age of 75 years. We also found that among women in the general US population, simultaneous screening with CA-125 and transvaginal ultrasound compared with usual care did not reduce ovarian cancer mortality. Currently, I am involved in developing a liquid biopsy for the early detection of Non Small Cell Lung Carcinoma.

    • I am serving as editor for Oncology Reviews, and am on an editorial board for Analytical Biochemistry. I have been a reviewer for many scientific journals.

    • I have been reviewing grants for NIH, NCI, DOD, Cancer Research UK, Florida Department of Health’s Bankhead-Coley Cancer Research Program, Pennsylvania Final Performance Review, Peter T. Rowley Breast Cancer Scientific Research Projects, and Susan Komen Diagnostic & Prognostic Biomarkers. 

    The SMC Emeritus Program has helped me as a lifelong learner because it offers program for elderly that enhance their life.

    The best part about being an SMC Emeritus student is you can get this for free.