Longtime University of Utah professor and medical director of ARUP Laboratories James Tsai Yuan Wu died suddenly and unexpectedly in Taiwan on March 20 while on a consultation visit at the Chang Gung Memorial Hospital.

Memorial and funeral services were subsequently held in Taiwan. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother. He is survived by his wife, Dr. Lily H.L. Wu, daughter Lena, son Jason, two grandchildren, two brothers and one sister.

Dr. Wu was born on Nov. 12, 1936, in Hong Kong, China. He moved to Taiwan in 1948 and graduated with a bachelor's degree in agricultural chemistry from the National Taiwan University.

After moving to the U.S., he received a master's degree in chemistry at Oregon State University. He then moved to Salt Lake City and attended the U., where he received his doctorate in biochemistry in 1972. After serving as a research assistant professor in biochemistry and pediatrics, he became an assistant professor of pathology and later a tenured professor. He also served as medical director of the ARUP Special Chemistry laboratory.

Dr. Wu was certified by the American Board of Clinical Chemistry and was an active member of the American Association for Clinical Chemistry, the National Academy of Clinical Biochemistry and the Association of Clinical Scientists, serving in the latter as vice president and president. He received two major honors: the Sunderman Award and the Diploma of Honor. Dr. Wu also was honored by the International Research Promotion Council with the Eminent Scientist of the Year 2007 award in the field of Laboratory Science and Medical Research from the USA.

As a clinical chemist, he was academically prolific and widely published, including articles, abstracts, book chapters and five books. He also was frequently invited to lecture.