Research was the love of his life. Chen Chien-jen (陳建仁) said this in 2020 after stepping down as vice president of Taiwan. The epidemiologist had decided not to run again after four years in office and had returned to the Academia Sinica State Research Academy. But if he was needed, he would be ready at any time. That time now seems to have come. Taiwan’s presidential office confirmed media reports on Wednesday that the 71-year-old will take over as premier on Jan. 31.