After battle with cancer, Sun remembered for love of biology

Memorial services for Jerry Sun—an undergraduate who lost his battle with cancer earlier this month—were held in Durham Saturday.

Remembered for his love of biology and intellectual curiosity, Sun entered Duke as a member of the Class of 2016. During his sophomore year, Sun received the diagnosis that he had a rare and aggressive form of cancer. Although he passed away March 4, Sun stayed optimistic for the hope of new and effective treatments—with his GoFundMe raising more than $16,000 for treatment costs in the month before his passing.

"Jerry came to us as a talented student with a deep interest in science. He was curious and bright, and learned complex materials quickly," Jun Chen, associate professor of orthopedic surgery, said in Sun's obituary for Duke News. "Jerry worked and thought creatively, and his contributions were equivalent to those of a junior graduate student."

Jerry first came to Duke to do research as a high school student at the North Carolina School of Science and Math in Durham.

In honor of his passing, the University lowered their flags to half staff last week.

"Jerry was the type of guy that you could trust your deepest secrets with and he would never tell a soul," Lucy Ma, a close friend of Sun, said to Duke News. "We talked about classes, friends, lab work, relationships. He was great at giving advice and maintaining an objective perspective. He was dedicated to his friends, academics and family. I miss him dearly."

To honor his memory, Sun's family requested donations to the Duke Cancer Institute in his name. The family noted their appreciation to the community for the support Sun received during his battle.