From 1930 Needham published numerous pioneering works in the field of embryology and his prestigious career in the world of biology continued until 1937, when suddenly "fell in love" with China.
他在卅一歲那年出版的三卷「化學胚胎學」、卅二歲出版的「生物化學形態學」和其後完成的「胚胎學史」皆為學界肯定的原創性著作。他在生化界的名氣平步青雲，直到一九三七年與中國「墜入愛河」，就此徹底改變了他的發展。