Celebrating Ed Liu

I am so lucky that I have worked at two institutes where you showed your great leadership and extraordinary visions. Thank you for all the transformations you brought about! The pandemic since last year illustrates another talent of yours – you are so quick at understanding mathematics that the testing frequency estimation model we developed for COVID-19 under your leadership is both practically useful and theoretically sound. I imagine you would have been an excellent mathematician if you had chosen Mathematics as your major. By the way, I also enjoy the jazz music you play. You are such an amazing person and I look forward to other chances to work with you again!

Dr. Liu, our organization was very fortunate to have you at the helm. As an animal care worker, I have always felt that you have been a very compassionate CEO and you always treated everyone on campus with dignity, respect and care. I remember, some days at the end of my workday, seeing you in Roscoe's playing the piano. It was a privilege to have you as our president and CEO. I wish you the best in your future endeavors in human research. God bless.

You are one of my favorite human beings on this planet and I have enjoyed my time with you immensely over the past two decades. From your first visit to Affymetrix where your vision of the Pan-Asia SNP Consortium "had me at hello," to your leadership of the Consortium and its eventual publication in Science, I have admired you and your vision, enthusiasm and sheer joy of science and innovation. Not to mention your roots in San Francisco and Lowell High school (which my kids also attended) brought you closer to my heart. I knew I had to ask you to be on the SAB of the start-up I joined (Veracyte) and it has been a great ride with your leadership over the years! I hope we can continue to stay in touch. I hope you enjoy your "retirement" and do look me up when you're in the Bay Area!

Congratulations Ed and thank you for your tireless work in investing both in the research of JAX as well as investing in the Farmington, Conn. community.

It was always a pleasure and honor to work with you and engage in the annual JAX Healthcare Innovation conference over the past years. Your energy on the idea of 'early and ongoing collaboration' between payers, doctors and researchers is something that I see us needing to continue to build on. It promotes transparency, the respect of complimentary roles and most important, the emphasis on a common purpose for better health and well-being.

On behalf of UnitedHealthcare, thank you.

Dear Ed,

I was part of the architectural design team for the JAX Genomic Medicine [in Farmington, Conn.] project. I facilitated project marketing communications, in partnership with your Communications and Development teams. The experience of learning and forming friendships with your staff and researchers was life changing. The insight I gained from you, listening as you shared your work on the epigenetics of cancer, your love of music and mentorship has stayed with me and contributed to how I've charted my career in service of growing life science developments. Thank you for the opportunity to learn from you and your staff. You are the most kind, approachable CEO I've ever met. Good luck in this next chapter. 

I had been back home on my natal island for about five years when Ed arrived to lead JAX. As an early lab brat and beneficiary of the lab’s pioneer years, I was curious to see how this new director would begin his tenure – and especially if he would have much care for the special place that had nurtured JAX for more than 80 years. I knew enough science to appreciate some of the challenges that would confront the new director at this inflection moment of genetic science. That was the main criteria for selecting the new leader. But would he or she understand and value the “here” of the lab?

To my complete delight and mild surprise, Ed arrived with a robust knowledge of JAX history and a graceful appreciation of the special community that had helped JAX survive and develop. He knew the stories of early struggle and the precise contributions of key early staff. And he showed respect and care for the island people through four generations who had given their best to the lab as it became a national asset. Ed’s immediate expression of this relationship was especially important as the transformational investment in Connecticut posed worries among us islanders about the ongoing commitment of the lab to our place. His personal presence quickly put those fears aside.

Soon enough I was honored to be in a position to harvest Ed’s good will to MDI. As co-chair of the Acadia National Park Centennial in 2016, I needed to recruit five institutional partners in our year-long, community-based, world-welcoming celebration of Acadia. We asked these partners to develop their own robust story of their relationship to the park and to write a very significant check to help us toward our goals. Ed was my first call. He welcomed me with a smile, a plan, and a check. JAX was a great centennial partner. 

So, as Ed transitions, I honor him for the grace with which he has celebrated what this modest island continues to contribute to humankind’s understanding of nature and our nature. Well done, sir. 

I found this picture of Ed Liu [during the holiday gift distribution] and thought it was a perfect representation of how approachable and down to earth he is with employees.

Thank you for welcoming us Summer Students, whether through conversations about science or sharing music!

I remember the first time I met Ed at a company party 10 ten or so years ago. He was quick to introduce himself and was incredibly kind. Through the years since, Ed has shown that he is truly a top-notch person in every regard. During the difficult challenges the lab has faced during the last year, he has been a rock for this organization. I am thankful every day for the incredible leadership that has helped us not only weather the storm but grow and prosper. Ed, thank you so much for all you do!

Thank you for leading the laboratory with above all, compassion. I am looking forward to your continued involvement at JAX and the CMDR.

I have met Ed only few times face-to-face when I was in the same room, in few meetings and at a dinner. Undoubtedly, he is a top scientist, visionary leader and a jolly fellow. My most inspired moment was few years ago at an AACR company dinner when he asked me about Amritsar. For those who know what I am talking about, there aren't that many leaders out there who carry that abundance of world-wide knowledge. I wish him the best and hope to continue to hear about his research landmarks!

For the past decade or so we have embraced Ed Liu's warmth and leadership to all. His piano is always a highlight of any JAX event. Thanks Ed!

Thanks, Ed, for your dedicated years of service, for shepherding JAX's healthy growth well into the 22nd Century, and for being such a warm and supportive friend to all at the Lab's family and to me. You will be sorely missed at the helm. I'm so glad to know you will still be here and have time to enjoy your semi-retirement. 

My best memory of many interactions with Ed is when Hurricane Sandy hit NYC and several research facilities were losing years of research due to flooding and loss of electricity. I emailed Ed at midnight to discuss what JAX can do to help these researchers and to my surprise, he emailed me right back a little past midnight. He assured me that we will be working on a plan to help. The next week, mice that could be saved started arriving at JAX for rederivation. That is when I knew we were in excellent hands.

Thank you for your leadership and support of the Hartford community Ed. Your rare combination of leadership, intellect and being an exemplary human being will not be forgotten. 

Kind of embarrassing... Ed hadn't been at the lab very long, maybe a couple months. We had an employee benefit down at a center where we had a comedian speak (eeek) and awards and banquet. Anyway, I was talking to a coworker and Eileen Philips and Marcia... Ed gets on the bus, we all say hello, there's maybe 6 people on the bus not including the driver. Ed says, "Ok let's sing the wheels on the bus"! 

I look at Ed and say, "If you start singing, you'll be the first on off the bus".

Without hesitation he says "ok, no singing"! He laughed, I laughed, my friend pretended not to know me. Right after that we all talked about life, books, and really hit it off. I obviously wasn't going to throw our CEO off the bus, but the smile he gave and the brightness of his eyes... he sure knew how to take a joke. I had never even met him before that moment. 

My friend just happened to be reading a book he was very fond of as well. Had I not just spoke up and broke the ice, part of me feels like I would have missed out on a great opportunity to see him react as a human being. We sometimes see people "upstairs/offices", and we forget  'this is a person, and likes being treated like a person.’ I'll never forget it, and it was one of those moments where I did worry about my career. But his laughter was magnetic, and electric.  

Ed, I am confident that you will work tirelessly in your new endeavor as you have for the past 10 years at The Jackson Laboratory as President and CEO. I look forward to hearing about your future successes. 

I joined JAX about two and a half years ago after moving up from Massachusetts to start a new career with JAX as an Administrative Assistant. I sold my home, most of my belongings, packed up my two beautiful dogs, and forged my way north to start a new chapter in my life living and working in Maine - alone. I would be lying if I said my initial transition was smooth. I was terribly homesick and scared I would not make it all by myself in Maine. Previously I worked for a small private company for 13 years and coming to JAX was a bit of a culture shock to me as well. Thankfully, I landed in, what I consider, the best team of folks anyone could have asked for. I was so fortunate to work under your leadership especially with the pandemic. During the most difficult time in this country, I felt cared for, educated, secure, and most important, valued. For the first time in my career, I am truly proud of the organization I work for and its mission. I couldn’t have wished for a better leader during these difficult times. It has truly been a pleasure and I wish you nothing but great things in your future endeavors.

What I like most about Ed is that he impersonates the qualities of an exemplary human being. You can see goodness and a calm wave of ingenuity radiate from his face, and a "joie de vivre" sparkle in his eyes. My favorite memory of him is hearing him play the piano on the second-floor bar, here at JGM [The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine]. Best wishes for him in his future endeavors. 

Hi Ed

I just wanted to thank you for being our leader for these past 10 years. They certainly have been challenging at times but your leadership style inspires, motivates, and empowers all of us here at JAX. I had the pleasure of meeting you on one of your first trips to JAX West [the Sacramento campus] with Chuck and I will always remember how you took the time to speak with me and learn about my work here. It is sad to think of JAX without you at the helm, but I am happy to know you will still be here making a difference.

Thank you again for everything! 

Ed, 

You are such an amazing man that I don't really know where to start. Well, I will miss seeing you around campus for sure and all your trekky quotes. Your inspiration has inspired me to better myself any way that I can and I thank you for that. We will miss you greatly here, but we will wish you the best in your future endeavors with your lab. Until we meet again, enjoy everything in life because it is a short time that we are here. 

Dear Dr. Liu,

We interacted on two or three occasions during your early tenure at JAX.  At that time I was Executive Director of the World Jewish Congress Foundation.  You impressed me with your sincerity and overall sense of serenity.  Those are unusual attributes for a CEO.  Since my retirement I have remained a proud donor to JAX and I hope to visit again after too long of a hiatus. 

I can't help but be proud that such an accomplished talent, like Dr. Liu, hails from my own home range of the San Francisco Bay Area.  The climate of diversity combined with first class academic institutions has cultivated so many great minds. With Ed Liu at the helm, this great effort that is JAX sails forth where no one has gone before. Awesome!

I don’t think I have ever had the pleasure of conversing with a high-ranking Chief Executive of any industrial scale operation such as JAX. I admire his linguistic gift in his writing style that exhibits natural style and word economy. It was not surprising to me that he coauthored a book on Viral Oncogenesis, (I hope I got that right!). I read some selections from the book and immediately assumed it was Ed’s writing. The very approachable nature of what, by all appearances, seems to be Ed’s personality indicates to me that if I lavish too many compliments upon him that he may begin to blush. I must say however that the ‘One Word’ offering exercise [on this submission form] left me feeling shorted. But like the Psychologist’s Rorschach Ink Blot Test I stated the word that immediately came to mind…. trendsetter. Ed seems to have that leadership gift that ‘multiplies himself’ throughout the organization.

Thank you for everything, Ed! I’ll always remember when you came to talk with us summer students at Highseas.

Dear Dr. Liu,

I remember 10 years ago like it was yesterday. We were so thrilled to have your leadership and expertise when Dr. Woychik was moving on from the Lab. It is unfortunate that we were not able to open a lab in Naples but for the experiences I have had meeting you, your team of amazing researchers and the opportunity to raise funding for projects that I am still so passionate about, I can never forget one of the most amazing opportunities in my lifetime which is with you at the helm of JAX. Thank you for such fond memories. It’s been entirely too long! Best wishes to you in your new endeavor!

My summer at The Jackson Laboratory in 1969 was an unforgettable experience that helped launch my career in academic science.

Congratulations and profound thanks to Eddie, superb scientist, visionary servant leader, wonderful colleague and friend. You will be missed.

Not everyone can say they’ve made a difference. You Sir, will always know that you made a significant difference in the lives of so many.

As a small contributor since the 1960s, I plan to continue my yearly support. So appreciate your continuing as a researcher and leader in genomics. Thank you greatly for your outstanding leadership and contributions.

Just a note to say how wonderful your leadership has been and how grateful I am for all the excellent effort JAX has contributed to assessing and progressing on the scientific challenges of disease. In addition, it has been wonderful to see the contributions JAX had made during this difficult time of a pandemic with the COVID virus. THANK YOU!

Thank you for your many years of leadership at JAX. You are truly an inspiration and feel truly fortunate to have worked with you. Best of luck to and your family. Best of luck!

Dr. Liu,

Thank you for your leadership, your commitment to excellence, our communities, and to our healthy future. Your sense of style, humor and great story telling have made The Jackson Laboratory bigger and better than when you arrived. Best wishes to you in your next adventure!

Hey Ed, Hard to believe it's been 10 years. You have been transformative for JAX--a truly amazing stint. I don't know what your next step will be but hopefully it will include some less hectic time! Keep in touch and make sure to drop by when you find yourself in NYC. Warm regards, Charlie

Thank you, Ed, for your clarity, caring, and commitment. Your hard work has propelled The Jackson Laboratory and its superb science forward. The Laboratory is an international treasure and it was a pleasure to watch you and work with you to help it move forward. You have brought out the best in our community -- of both scientists and non-scientists. Take care -- enjoy a bit of a break!

Dr. Liu, Thank you for your great leadership and all of your help and guidance in our Clinical Lab. Wishing you continued success and hopefully some relaxation now and in the coming years.

A few years ago I visited Jackson Labs and was inspired. Since then I have followed the news. I was inspired by Ed and his demeanor; he seemed such a jolly fellow in addition to being an important researcher. In my painting class we had an assignment to do a portrait sketch. I felt chose Ed and here is the result. Perhaps he will like it, just a sketch.

Ed,

While others may correctly wish to celebrate your many achievements as a scientist and biotech CEO, let me instead thank you for your many contributions to the Greater Hartford community and to friends like me. You always found time for a good cause. We hope to see a lot of you in the future!

Ed you are an outstanding man of integrity, dedication and service to our country. I have been honored to have worked with you as chair of UConn’s board on the partnership with UConn and Jackson. Which now, is a model to how to get things done which will benefit so many! A huge thanks also for your talks to our sold out Chamber events! I’m thankful that our paths have crossed and wishing you the best.

One of the surprise benefits of the COVID-19 pandemic for me has been the opportunity to spend quality time with Ed one-one-one in a way that wouldn’t have happened in the normal course of affairs.

Here’s how it happened. In the early fall of 2020 Ed reached out and suggested that, in light of my taking over as head of the strategy committee beginning with the winter board meeting, we spend some time comparing notes on the past, present and future of biomedical research. He proposed we start with an early evening video call over our favorite cocktail.

I guess I thought he was kidding about the beverage part and didn’t prepare one. When I logged on there was Ed sipping a very tasty looking cocktail, which he went on to describe as his favorite mixture of expensive whiskies and various exotic additives. I had never heard of any of these. While he sipped his alcoholic wonder I nursed my glass of water to be sociable.

So next session I looked up a recipe for a fancy alcoholic beverage and had it at the ready. But when I logged on there was Ed, no drink to be seen. So I kept mine out of camera sight and excused myself to get another glass of water.

We have had many sessions since then, amounting to my getting a masterclass in predictive biology and precision medicine from one of the world’s experts. Definitely a perk of being a trustee at JAX that you would not enjoy anywhere else on the planet. For this, and so much more, I am very grateful that my time as a trustee has overlapped with Ed’s fantastic leadership of the Lab.

I still have a few more sessions with Ed before he transitions into his new research role, where I know he will make many important breakthrough discoveries. For these remaining sessions I will suggest that we both arrive with our favorite cocktail in hand to toast to a most productive, exciting and healthy future for Ed and for Jackson Labs.

I have worked for many projects led by Ed since 2014. I have witnessed remarkable achievements under his leadership. It is especially impressive when we are going through this challenging period of pandemic time. Thank you Ed!

You are the best! Enjoy your retirement. Well deserved.

Thank you for your decade of leadership through growth, challenges and many positive changes.

Dear Ed,

In the two decades of my journey with you, I have closely witnessed and been inspired by your visionary leadership. The organizations you led, the research you guided, and the people you mentored, all benefited greatly from the transformation you took us along! Thank you for all the lessons you have taught me, and for all the opportunities you provided me to grow as a leader, as a researcher, and, most importantly, as an individual.

With you, the transformational journey never ends! I am sure it will be the case, even in the next phase of your career! Eagerly waiting to see what you will create!