Charting a Citation Laureate’s scientific legacy

In 1991, a Ph.D. candidate named Zhijian "James" Chen completed his dissertation at the State University of New York, Buffalo. Filled with foundational biochemical and molecular insights into E225K, a key enzyme in the formation of multiubiquitin chains, the dissertation advanced understanding of how proteins are marked for “retirement” and regulated within cells. It foreshadows work that would influence both basic science and clinical applications in the years to come and make Dr. Chen one of the most impactful scientists in immunology and cell biology.

A Citation Laureate 2025

Fast forward to 2025 and Dr. Chen is now George L. MacGregor Distinguished Chair in Biomedical Science, Director of the Inflammation Research Center, and Professor of Molecular Biology at University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator. He is also a Citation Laureate 2025, a highly select group of researchers whose Nobel-class work has shaped science, society and global progress. Citation Laureates are selected annually by experts at the Institute for Scientific Information (ISI) at Clarivate for their pioneering contributions across fields such as medicine, physics, chemistry and economics.

Dr. Chen was recognized as a Citation Laureate for his discovery of cGAS, an enzyme that senses foreign DNA inside a cell’s cytoplasm. This breakthrough revealed how cells detect viral or microbial DNA and trigger immune and inflammatory responses, solving a major biomedical mystery. His research has had profound implications for understanding how the body fights off pathogens, and it has opened new avenues for treating cancer, autoimmune diseases and for vaccine development.

The Fascination of Groundbreaking Discoveries

“What is really fascinating about science is there are a lot of unknowns. In scientific research, we can do experiments and discover something that is totally new... something that has never been seen in the history of mankind,” said Dr. Chen in an interview with Clarivate.

His discoveries of things that are “totally new” can be traced through ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global and the Web of Science, from Clarivate. Access to his original dissertation showcases the rigorous biochemical and molecular approach Dr. Chen used to study ubiquitin enzymes, which directly translate to his later, world-renowned discoveries in innate immunity and cell signaling. The Web of Science indexes his subsequent publications which chart the evolution of his research, from foundational studies in protein modification to internationally recognized breakthroughs in immunology. These platforms together offer a comprehensive view of his scholarly impact and career trajectory.

Tracing Careers From Early Researcher to Pioneering Contributor

Dr. Chen is one of 22 Citation Laureates named in 2025. Exploring the work of these renowned researchers – and others like them – is made easier through the seamless connections between ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global and the Web of Science. Available in libraries, these resources offer comprehensive and authoritative coverage of academic scholarship across disciplines and time periods. Like Dr. Chen, many of the Citation Laureates have graduate level research in ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global, a source for tracing a researcher’s early academic development and foundational ideas. The Web of Science, meanwhile, indexes peer-reviewed journal articles, conference proceedings and citation data, making it possible to follow a researcher’s published work, collaborations and the impact of their research within the scientific community. Together, these platforms enable users to view both the origins and the evolution of a scholar’s contributions, assess their influence and discover connections between different areas of research.

Inspiring the Next Generation of Researchers

Dr. Chen’s journey from a curious graduate student to an internationally celebrated scientific leader highlights the enduring value of rigorous research and intellectual exploration. His story demonstrates how early academic work can lay the groundwork for discoveries that shape the future. As resources like ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global and the Web of Science continue to document and link the stages of scholarly achievement, they provide invaluable tools for discovering the innovations of tomorrow as well as understanding the legacy and ongoing impact of pioneering researchers such as Dr. Chen who can inspire new generations to push the boundaries of scientific knowledge.

Learn more and request a complimentary trial of ProQuest Dissertations & Theses to explore more than six million post graduate dissertations and theses now discoverable on Web of Science.

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