Yuan-Cheng B. Fung is Professor Emeritus and Research Engineer at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). In the 1980s, Dr. Fung initiated a new direction for bioengineering and coined the term “tissue engineering.” This not only developed into a new integrative research theme at UCSD Bioengineering, but has also become the focus of nearly all major bioengineering programs in the country. His innovative research has formed the foundation of industrial applications in a variety of fields, including the tissue engineering of cardiovascular, urinary, musculoskeletal and cutaneous systems. Dr. Fung’s studies have contributed importantly to the development of skin substitute to treat burn patients, and he has worked with Advanced Tissue Sciences, Inc. on a project to develop a tissue-engineered vascular graft. Dr. Fung has also built superb graduate and undergraduate programs at UCSD, whose graduates have made important contributions in their fields. His several authoritative books are used widely as textbooks in most schools in this country and abroad. Dr. Fung has received numerous awards and honors, including the NAE Founders Award in 1998 and the National Medal of Science in 2000. He is also one of the very few elected to membership in all three national academies, the National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering and Institute of Medicine.