The department of parasitology of the preclinical medical college of Sun Yat-sen University was founded on the departments of parasitology and correlative subjects in medical college of Zhongshan University, Lingnan University and Guanghua medical college in 1953. The founders were professor Chen Xintao and his disciples, Xu bingkun, Cai Shangda etc. After graduation in department of Biology of Fujian Union University in 1925, Professor Chen Xintao was engaged in teaching and research on parasitology in Guangzhou Lingnan University. The department has a splendid history. Early in 1950, Professor Chen Xintao discovered the first case of schistosomiasis in Guangdong province and confirmed that Sanshui and Sihui County were the endemic areas of schistosomiasis. After that, almost the whole the department was focused on the control of this disease. Through repeated experiments and investigations, and based on the situation of our county, Professor Chen Xintao proposed a strategy for schistosomiasis control: the improvement of water management and modification of the environment that can gain control of the snails, an intermediate host of the parasite, and also benefit to the agriculture development. For this reason, Chairman Mao met Professor Chen three times. This strategy became the main strategy of schistosomiasis control in the 50s to 70s of the 20th century in China.
    The department of Parasitology was awarded as a unit of awarding master degree in 1978, and doctor degree in 1981, and key subject of the country in 1989, as well as an A class key subject of Guangdong province in 2000. The department was awarded by the ministry of health as the training unit for teachers of universities. The department was the unit of editor-in-chief of the teaching materials for the programme such as the first, second, third and fifth edition of 《human parasitology》and teaching materials for students of the 7- years preclinical medicine. The department of Parasitology is getting stronger and stronger in teaching, academic team, scientific research, and laboratory equipment through 50 years' establishment. The merging of Sun yat-sen University and Sun yat-sen University of medical Science provided a great opportunity for developing the department of Parasitology.