Professor Chun Ju Chang, a cancer biologist with experience at institutions including UCLA, the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, and Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, is advocating for stronger mentorship in cancer science. This 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. Chang, who now serves as a professor at China Medical University in Taiwan, stated that she has watched talented students lose confidence because no one slowed down to explain the process. She noted that it often 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. She explained that experiments fail all the time, and 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. She stated that talent exists everywhere, but what is 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. She explained that one does not need a formal title to mentor someone, just 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. Chang stated that small actions add up, and the next breakthrough may depend on a student who almost gave up but did not because someone helped them through a hard moment.
As cancer research grows increasingly complex, Chang believes mentorship will become even more critical. She concluded that the science will keep changing, but the need for good guidance will not. If that is achieved, everything else becomes possible.
