Yang Chai, DMD, PhD, DDS

Yang Chai, DMD, PhD, DDS is the chair of the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research Board of Scientific Counselors.

Professor Chai, who holds the George and Mary Lou Boone Chair in Craniofacial Biology and is the associate dean of research and director of the Center for Craniofacial Molecular Biology at the Ostrow School, has been a member of the board since 2008 and will serve a one-year term as chair. A total of nine board members, including the chair, are selected from among the most accomplished and celebrated experts in biomedical, dental and craniofacial science.

Chai is internationally renowned for his research into the genetics, cellular signaling, and development of cranial and facial structures, including the causes of and potential preventive measures for facial deformities such as cleft palate. Among his many honors, he has received a National Institutes of Health MERIT Award, has been elected as an American Association for the Advancement of Sciences Fellow, has received an International Association for Dental Research Distinguished Scientist Award, and has served on the editorial boards of several scientific journals. He is also an alumnus of the Ostrow School of Dentistry and is an award-winning educator and a practicing dentist at the school.

• NIDCR, NIH: Chair of the Board of Scientific Counselors, 2013
• Craniofacial Biology Research Award: IADR Distinguished Scientist Award, 2011
• Journal of Bone and Mineral Research: Editorial Board, 2010
   – 2014
• NIH: NIH MERIT Award, 2010
• American Association for the Advancement of Sciences (AAAS) Elected Fellow, 2010
• NIDCR, NIH: Member of the Board of Scientific Counselors, 2008
   – 2012
• JBMR: Editorial Board DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY, 2007
   – 2014
• The Chinese Journal of Dental Research: Editorial Board, 2006
   – 2014
• Regular member of SBDD study section CSR NIH, 2004
   – 2008
• Chair, Gordon Research Conference on Craniofacial Morphogenesis and Tissue Regeneration, 2004
• Chair, Gordon Research Conference on Craniofacial Morphogenesis and Tissue Regeneration, 2006
• NIH Ad hoc grant reviewer (OBM-2, ODCS) and Reviewer for the Welcome Trust, UK, 2002
   – 2014
• University of Southern California: Award of Excellence in Teaching, 2001
   – 2003
• University of Southern California: James H. Zumberge Faculty Research and Innovation Award, 1997
• University of Southern California: James H. Zumberge Faculty Research and Innovation Award, 2007
• University of Southern California: Annual Excellence in Teaching Award, 1997
• OKU Scholarship award for outstanding academic performance, 1996
• Special Recognition by the Dean for outstanding service and contribution to the University of Southe, 1996
• University of Southern California, School of Dentistry: Annual Teaching Award, 1995
• University of Southern California, (GPA 4.0): PHI KAPPA PHI, All-University Honor Society, 1991
• University of Southern California: Certificate for Outstanding Academic Achievement, 1990

• The Regulatory Mechanism of Craniofacial Morphogenesis and Malformations
  NIH · R01DE035453 · Aug 18, 2026 – Jun 30, 2029 · Role: Principal Investigator
• USC Facebase IV Craniofacial Development and Dysmorpholoy Data Management and Integration Hub (FaceBase IV))
  NIH · U24DE034163 · Aug 15, 2024 – May 31, 2029 · Role: Co-Principal Investigator
• Center for TMD IMPACT
  NIH · R34DE033572 · Sep 19, 2023 – Sep 18, 2024 · Role: Principal Investigator
• Mechanisms and rescue of craniosynostosis associated with gene-environment interaction
  NIH · R01DE030901 · Jul 1, 2021 – Apr 30, 2026 · Role: Co-Principal Investigator
• Center for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Tissue and Organ Regeneration (C-DOCTOR)
  NIH · U24DE029463 · May 7, 2020 – Apr 30, 2025 · Role: Principal Investigator
• USC FaceBase III Craniofacial Development and Dysmorpholoy Data Management and Integration Hub
  NIH · U01DE028729 · Aug 1, 2019 – Jul 31, 2024 · Role: Co-Principal Investigator
• Center for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Tissue and Organ Regeneration (C-DOCTOR)
  NIH · U24DE026914 · Mar 1, 2017 – Feb 28, 2021 · Role: Co-Principal Investigator
• Molecular and Cellular Basis of Craniosynostosis
  NIH · R01DE026339 · Jul 1, 2016 – Jul 31, 2026 · Role: Co-Principal Investigator
• MOLECULAR REGULATORY MECHANISM OF MESENCHYMAL STEM CELLS IN ADULT MOUSE INCISOR
  NIH · R01DE025221 · May 1, 2016 – Dec 31, 2027 · Role: Principal Investigator
• CENTER FOR DENTAL, ORAL AND CRANIOFACIAL TISSUE ORGAN REGENERATION (C-DOCTOR)
  NIH · R34DE025575 · Sep 1, 2015 – Aug 31, 2017 · Role: Principal Investigator
• INTEGRATED RESEARCH OF FUNCTIONAL GENOMICS AND CRANIOFACIAL MORPHOGENESIS
  NIH · U01DE024421 · May 12, 2014 – Apr 30, 2020 · Role: Principal Investigator
• The Molecular Regulatory Mechanism of Tooth Root Development
  NIH · R01DE022503 · Jul 19, 2012 – Apr 30, 2029 · Role: Principal Investigator
• RESEARCH ON FUNCTIONAL GENOMICS, IMAGE ANALYSIS AND RESCUE OF CLEFT PALATE
  NIH · U01DE020065 · Sep 21, 2009 – Apr 30, 2015 · Role: Principal Investigator
• Interdisciplinary New Faculty Recruitment in Craniofacial Development
  NIH · P30DE020750 · Sep 17, 2009 – Aug 31, 2013 · Role: Principal Investigator
• Molecular Regulatory Mechanism of Calvarial Morphogenesis
  NIH · R01DE017007 · Sep 1, 2005 – Aug 31, 2012 · Role: Principal Investigator
• CRANIOFACIAL MORHOGENESIS AND TISSUE REGENERATION GORDON CONFERENCE
  NIH · R13DE015783 · Jan 1, 2004 – Dec 31, 2008 · Role: Co-Principal Investigator
• MOLECULAR REGULATORY MECHANISM OF TONGUE MORPHOGENESIS
  NIH · R01DE014078 · Apr 1, 2001 – Jun 30, 2015 · Role: Principal Investigator
• TGF BETA SIGNALING AND CRANIOFACIAL MORPHOGENESIS
  NIH · R01DE012711 · Jan 1, 1999 – Jul 31, 2024 · Role: Principal Investigator
• TGF BETA SIGNALING AND CRANIOFACIAL MORPHOGENESIS
  NIH · R37DE012711 · Jan 1, 1999 – Jul 31, 2019 · Role: Principal Investigator

• Chuong, Cheng-Ming
• Urata, Mark
• Crump, Gage
• Hammoudeh, Jeff
• Magee, William
• Lieberman, Jay