Chen and He began their studies in the Chemistry Department of Fudan University in 1973 and finished graduate studies at the university under professor Deng Jiaqi. In 1994, the couple set up a company in Memphis in the United States, specializing in the research and development, production and sale of electrochemical measuring instruments.

Over the past five years, the fund they set up has provided support to over 4,000 undergraduates and 5,000 postgraduates through programs including scholarships, healthcare subsidies, emergency aid, academic development and exchanges at home and overseas.