Professor Chun Ju Chang, a prominent cancer biologist with experience at top institutions including UCLA, the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, and Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, is highlighting the urgent need for stronger mentorship in cancer science. Her call comes as global cancer cases are projected to reach 28 million annually by 2040 according to the World Health Organization, increasing pressure on research systems worldwide. Chang argues that the future of cancer research depends not just on funding and equipment but on investing in the people conducting the work.
Research published in Nature indicates that early-career scientists with strong mentors are twice as likely to publish high-impact studies and remain in research roles long term. Despite this evidence, structured mentorship remains inconsistent across institutions. "I've watched talented students lose confidence because no one slowed down to explain the process," said Chang, who now serves as a professor at China Medical University in Taiwan. "Often, it only takes one person sitting down and walking through the data to change everything."
Chang's perspective is informed by her global career spanning major research centers in both the United States and Taiwan. She believes strong mentorship builds more than technical skills—it develops judgment, resilience, and confidence essential for scientific work. "Experiments fail all the time," she noted. "What matters is learning how to resolve the issues without panic. That mindset comes from guidance, not textbooks."
The mentorship gap has broader implications for scientific progress and diversity. UNESCO reports that less than 30% of researchers worldwide are women, with even lower representation in senior scientific roles. Chang identifies mentorship as one of the most effective tools for addressing this imbalance. "Talent exists everywhere," she said. "What's missing is consistent support. When people feel seen and guided, they stay and contribute." Well-mentored teams also produce clearer data, fewer errors, and stronger collaboration, factors that directly affect the quality and speed of cancer discovery.
Rather than focusing solely on institutional reforms, Chang emphasizes individual action. "You don't need a formal title to mentor someone," she explained. "You just need patience and a willingness to listen." She encourages practical steps including encouraging curiosity in students, sharing knowledge openly, offering informal guidance to early-career researchers, promoting inclusive environments, and supporting science education through various programs. "Small actions add up," Chang said. "The next breakthrough may depend on a student who almost gave up but didn't because someone helped them through a hard moment."
As cancer research grows increasingly complex, Chang believes mentorship will become even more critical. "The science will keep changing," she concluded. "The need for good guidance will not. If we get that right, everything else becomes possible."
