2025 Spring STAR Educator Recipient: Yidong Bai, PhD
Yidong Bai, PhD
Professor
Department of Cell Systems & Anatomy
Nomination Submission:
Dr. Yidong Bai is an exceptional educator who prepares his students for continuing success long after completing their programs. In 2021, Yidong helped to design a new CSA post-baccalaureate certificate program. He was the first course director for CSAT5045, Pre-clinical Biochemistry, and specifically designed it for pre-professional students aspiring to enter medical school by incorporating clinically relevant basic biochemistry enhanced with case-based clinical scenarios. Despite the infancy of this program, several graduates entered medical school. For INTD6008, mitochondria and apoptosis, Yidong reformulated the course to focus on how to develop high impact innovative projects. This course has been well-liked and highly evaluated by students. In 2014, as Inaugural Chair of the CSA MS-COGS, Yidong led its reorganization into two new master’s degree tracks (Anatomical Sciences and Biotechnology), with new degree guidelines and course offerings. During his tenure, the revitalized program doubled the enrollment from 3 to around 6 students/year. The majority of graduates landed in professional schools and graduate schools. Among the master’s students he mentored, 2 enrolled in medical school and 3 entered PhD programs. Yidong also contributes to the career development of underrepresented minority students. Three of his trainees have been supported by NIH diversity supplements: two are now in PhD programs, and one is applying for medical school. Besides mentoring PhD and postdoctoral fellows, and students in medical, dental, and master’s programs, he has also served as co-mentor and hosted 9 international PhD students, from Poland, Spain, Brazil, Nigeria and China. Some of them are now faculty members in these countries. He is also hosting local undergraduates and high school students for scientific training, and most of them are now in the biomedical field. Because of his genuine commitment to education, Yidong received the 2018 CSA Award for Excellence in Graduate Student Education.