Shen was born on 22 March 1928[1] in Zhenhai, Zhejiang, Republic of China.
After graduating from Shanghai Medical College (now part of Fudan University) in 1952, he worked in internal medicine at Huashan Hospital, which is affiliated with Shanghai Medical College.
[3] One of his major research areas was the TCM concept of "kidney yang deficiency" (肾阳虚), which he linked to the malfunction of the hypothalamus.
[3][4] However, his research received mixed reaction from TCM practitioners, with some embracing his scientific authority, while others accused him of fragmenting and debasing Chinese medicine.
[2][4] On 7 March 2019, Shen died at Huashan Hospital in Shanghai, at the age of 90.