In Loving Memory of

Bin Shen, PhD

It is with the greatest of sorrow that we share with you that our dear friend and colleague, Dr. Bin Shen, Director of the Cyclotron and Radiochemistry Facility (CRF) at Stanford, has passed away.

Bin joined Stanford in 2009 as a postdoctoral fellow after receiving his MS in Engineering from Nanjing University of Technology in 2004 and his PhD in Radiochemistry/Organic Chemistry from University of Tübingen in 2008.

First as a rising star and later as a seasoned radiochemist and supervisor, Bin was recognized for his many skills and accomplishments as manager and then as director of the CRF. In this time, he reorganized the staffing and workflows and recruited an elite radiochemistry team, turning the Stanford CRF into a premier world-class program—now with more than 35 Stanford-held FDA-approved  Investigational New Drugs (INDs). He was also directly involved with the planning of the second cyclotron and radiochemistry facility at 1701 Page Mill Road, from hiring new personnel to the nuts and bolts of planning and building the cyclotron space. No task was too small or too large for Bin to tackle with grace, expertise, and enthusiasm.

Beyond his herculean work ethic, Bin was widely known for the exceptionally warm nature of his day-to-day interactions with everyone he met. The CRF staff was essentially his family, though he was equally beloved by the members of Stanford’s Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging programs and widely known across the world in the radiochemistry community. Everyone who met Bin immediately appreciated his generosity, his true kindness and patience, and boundless curiosity about people and his work. The excellence of the CRF is a testament to his infectious optimism and inspiring can-do spirit.

Bin leaves behind his wife, Monika Perek-Shen, and their six-year-old daughter, Sophie, as well as his parents, Shen Guangli and Lu Qingnian, who reside in China. The family wishes to thank those who rendered services to Bin in his final days, especially the competent and caring faculty and staff at Stanford Health Care.

For those who would like to send condolences and thoughts to Monika, Sophie, and the family, please share your message below. We especially welcome any stories, thoughts, photos, and videos to collect for Sophie so that she can, through your eyes, better know her father in future years.

Plans for a memorial service will be announced in the coming days. Information about a fund to be established in support of Bin’s family and Sophie’s education is also forthcoming. 

Universally loved and admired, Bin’s untimely departure leaves an emptiness that will be difficult to fill. 

Ways to Help

Here are ways to help Bin’s wife, Monika, and their six-year old daughter Sophie: 

Education fund and support for Sophie Shen to pursue higher education.

Meal Train for Monika and Sophie.

Memorial Service Details

Friday, February 10, 4pm

Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses
429 High St, Palo Alto, CA 94301

In-person or via Zoom
Meeting ID: 890 2781 8355
Passcode: 2520 

Remembrance of Life Gathering (Stanford small group)

Thursday, February 16, 4:30pm – 6:00pm

Clark Center Room 360
318 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94305

Zoom
Meeting ID: 920 3409 5853
Password: 763653

RSVP to Jeslyn Rumbold at hejhog@stanford.edu so we have an accurate attendee count

Share your memories of Bin

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Harrison Redman
January 31, 2023
I'm still reeling from the news, as I am sure we all are. I am so lucky to have met Bin and have him as a dear friend. He was brilliant, taking the most complicated of topics and making them easy and digestible for those without his extensive knowledge. Stanford was lucky to have Bin not just for his mind, but for how kind and caring he was as well. In the EH&S world, we are encouraged to "sell" safety to researchers. Bin did not have to be sold. He cared for his staff deeply, and their safety being top priority was simply a given to him. When problems arose, he did not get frustrated with people or deride them for their mistakes. He saw problems as puzzles that had to be solved by working together. In the 6 years I knew him, I never saw him lose his temper (even though I might have given him reason to). He just didn't treat people that way. At work, he helped others be at their best to achieve their goals. Outside of work, he included everyone in the good times, inviting all to CRF parties and cook-outs. Bin was a quiet and humble guy but he was also the life of every party I saw him at. He was passionate and dedicated to his work, but never forgot the important things in life: having a good time and making others feel loved and involved. I remember a time when a shipment for the CRF was held up in San Francisco, and he needed my help to bring it back. As we drove from Palo Alto to South Francisco, we finally had a chance to talk things other than CRF radiation safety issues. We talked about life, where we've been, and where we want to be. I must have missed the right exit 3 times on that trip, but Bin wouldn't even blink. Like every other time an issue came up, Bin would just smile and say "It's OK". I can't believe you're gone Bin. I will miss you very much, but I will always be grateful that I got to know you. Your work and the effects you had on everyone who knew you and loved you will live on for many years to come.
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Photo Gallery

Bin Shen
Bin Shen
Bin Shen
Bin Shen
Bin Shen
Whistler WTTC 2022
Whistler WTTC 2022Bin Shen
Sunset after a CRF Day out
Sunset after a CRF Day outBin Shen
Bin Shen
Bin Shen
Bin Shen
Bin Shen
Bin Shen
Bin Shen
Bin Shen
SNMMI 2022 in Vancouver (Nuc Med, MIPS and CRF dinner)
SNMMI 2022 in Vancouver (Nuc Med, MIPS and CRF dinner)Bin Shen
SNMMI 2022 in Vancouver (Nuc Med, MIPS and CRF dinner)
SNMMI 2022 in Vancouver (Nuc Med, MIPS and CRF dinner)Bin Shen
Bin Shen
Bin Shen
Bin Shen
Bin Shen
Bin Shen
Bin Shen
Bin Shen
Bin Shen
2013 in Bin’s office
2013 in Bin’s officeBin Shen
PKU-BCH Yang’ team visting Stanford 2019
PKU-BCH Yang’ team visting Stanford 2019Bin Shen
Bin Shen
Bin Shen
Bin Shen
2011 – Germany (Munich to Ulm)
2011 – Germany (Munich to Ulm)Bin Shen
2008 DGN Switzerland
2008 DGN SwitzerlandBin Shen
2007 Retreat (Germany)
2007 Retreat (Germany)Bin Shen
2007 – Don’t remember the event
2007 – Don’t remember the eventBin Shen
2006 – Tuebingen
2006 – TuebingenBin Shen
2008 DGN conference with Prof Machulla
2008 DGN conference with Prof MachullaBin Shen
2007 Retreat (Germany)
2007 Retreat (Germany)Bin Shen
2007 Bin, Mathias, Nadja
2007 Bin, Mathias, NadjaBin Shen
2008 Bin’s PhD Defence
2008 Bin’s PhD DefenceBin Shen
2022 Whistler Thomas Ruth & Bin
2022 Whistler Thomas Ruth & BinBin Shen
One of our many hiking trips with the CRF group
One of our many hiking trips with the CRF groupBin Shen
2019 ISRS beijing – Gerald & Bin
2019 ISRS beijing – Gerald & BinBin Shen
2008 Bin and Leonard Wiebe from Canada
2008 Bin and Leonard Wiebe from CanadaBin Shen
2007 i joined (my 1st pic)
2007 i joined (my 1st pic)Bin Shen
2008 Dinner (Wo, Monica and Bin)
2008 Dinner (Wo, Monica and Bin)Bin Shen
2007 Retreat (Germany) (Walter and Bin)
2007 Retreat (Germany) (Walter and Bin)Bin Shen
2008 Bin’s PhD Defence
2008 Bin’s PhD DefenceBin Shen
2008 Dirk’s defence
2008 Dirk’s defenceBin Shen
2008 Germany Dinner (Monica, Bin and Dirk)
2008 Germany Dinner (Monica, Bin and Dirk)Bin Shen
2007 Retreat (Germany)
2007 Retreat (Germany)Bin Shen
Bin Shen
Bin Shen
Bin Shen
Bin Shen
Bin Shen
Bin Shen
Bin Shen
Bin Shen
Bin Shen
Bin and me, at the Vancouver SNMMI meeting in June 2022
Bin and me, at the Vancouver SNMMI meeting in June 2022Bin Shen
Canary challenge 2016
Canary challenge 2016Bin Shen
Canary challenge 2015
Canary challenge 2015Bin Shen
Sunday biking
Sunday bikingBin Shen
Bin Shen
Sophie, Monika, and Bin on the way to meet Jason at Gao restaurant. Sophie was exhausted from soccer but she still got all dressed up for dinner – Bin didn’t dress up :p
Sophie, Monika, and Bin on the way to meet Jason at Gao restaurant. Sophie was exhausted from soccer but she still got all dressed up for dinner – Bin didn’t dress up :pBin Shen
ACS San Francisco 2014
ACS San Francisco 2014Bin Shen
Photos Bin sent me after Sophie was born
Photos Bin sent me after Sophie was bornBin Shen
Bin Shen
Bin Shen
Bin Shen
WMIC Miami 2022
WMIC Miami 2022Bin Shen
Bin Shen
WMIC 2022
WMIC 2022Bin Shen
Best engineer ever!
Best engineer ever!Bin Shen
Bin Shen
RIP, my friend
RIP, my friendBin Shen
Cyclotron Tour
Cyclotron TourBin Shen
Bin Shen
WMIC 2022
WMIC 2022Bin Shen
Bin Shen
Bin Shen
Bin Shen
Bin Shen
Bin Shen
Bin Shen
Bin Shen
Bin Shen
Somewhere in Portola Valley
Somewhere in Portola ValleyBin Shen
Bin Shen
With Bin, WMIC Miami Beach 2022
With Bin, WMIC Miami Beach 2022Bin Shen
Bin Shen
I’ll miss him. He is still an amazing colleague.
I’ll miss him. He is still an amazing colleague.Bin Shen
at Miami (WMIC2022)
at Miami (WMIC2022)Bin Shen
It is time to let him fly. – Photo was taken at Miami Beach 2022 after WMIC conference.
It is time to let him fly. – Photo was taken at Miami Beach 2022 after WMIC conference.Bin Shen
Bin Shen
2017 or 2018 – Bin and Sophie Hawaii
2017 or 2018 – Bin and Sophie HawaiiBin Shen
Bin Shen
Bin Shen
Bin Shen
Bin Shen
Bin Shen
Bin Shen
Bin Shen
2011 – Nymphenburg Palace, Bavaria (Xian, Me and Bin)
2011 – Nymphenburg Palace, Bavaria (Xian, Me and Bin)Bin Shen
Bin Shen
Bin Shen
Bin Shen
2011 – Bin sleeping at olympic park near BMW
2011 – Bin sleeping at olympic park near BMWBin Shen
Great memories from the FDA meeting, Feb 2020
Great memories from the FDA meeting, Feb 2020Bin Shen
Bin Shen
2008, DGN (Morschach), Switzerland. Bin at train station after day of hiking
2008, DGN (Morschach), Switzerland. Bin at train station after day of hikingBin Shen
Bin Shen
Bin Shen
2011 – Bin Visited Germany (Ulm) from US In picture, it is our doktorvater Prof Dr Hans-Juergen Machulla
2011 – Bin Visited Germany (Ulm) from US In picture, it is our doktorvater Prof Dr Hans-Juergen MachullaBin Shen
Bin’s Birthday
Bin’s BirthdayBin Shen
2008, Dinner after his PhD defence
2008, Dinner after his PhD defenceBin Shen
Bin Shen
Bin Shen
Bin Shen
Bin Shen
2007 (I guess April) when I joined the group as research assistant. Bin was in second last year of his PhD. Next to him, is our doktorvater Prof Dr Hans-Juergen Machulla Neckarmüller, Tuebingen, Germany
2007 (I guess April) when I joined the group as research assistant. Bin was in second last year of his PhD. Next to him, is our doktorvater Prof Dr Hans-Juergen Machulla Neckarmüller, Tuebingen, GermanyBin Shen
It has always been fun hiking with him. He loved the trails and always wanted to try new one and definitely minimum of 10 miles.
It has always been fun hiking with him. He loved the trails and always wanted to try new one and definitely minimum of 10 miles.Bin Shen
Bin Shen
Last picture I had with Bin on October 6, 2022
Last picture I had with Bin on October 6, 2022Bin Shen
Bin Shen
Bin Shen
Bin Shen
Bin Shen
Bin Shen
Bin Shen
Bin Shen
Bin Shen
Bin Shen
Bin Shen
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