When Dr. Yang Chai, dean of Ostrow School of Dentistry, first began his career, he planned to work in an area of medicine having to do with the human face. However, after caring for patients with facial birth defects and being asked questions that still have no answers, he was inspired to enter the field of research and education, leading him to USC.
The USC Ostrow School of Dentistry officially installed Chai as its new dean on Oct. 9. Chai has been working as interim dean for the past year, after Avishai Sadan, the former dean, transitioned to the position of associate senior vice president for Health Sciences Interprofessional Education and Curricular Innovations in 2024.
Before his new position, Chai was involved with USC for over three decades. He earned both a doctor of philosophy and a doctor of dental surgery degree from USC and joined the faculty as an instructor in 1987. Since 2007, he has served as both the director of the Center for Craniofacial Molecular Biology and was installed as Ostrow’s associate dean of research in 2009.
Daily headlines, sent straight to your inbox.
Subscribe to our newsletter to keep up with the latest at and around USC.
Chai says that primarily it was his surgical work that drove him to want to pursue research.
“I was very good with my surgical skill, but my patients, especially my patient’s family, really asked me some very challenging questions,” Chai said “We’re still working on those questions, like, why did my child get this birth defect and if we have another child, how can we prevent it from happening again?”
Chai initially earned his DMD from Peking University in Beijing, China, before earning his DDS at USC following his move to the U.S.
Chai said his time as a graduate student at USC led him to develop a very strong interest in research areas related to craniofacial birth defects. At USC, he developed his first research lab, which focused on molecular and cellular mechanisms of craniofacial development and birth defects.
In stepping into the position as dean permanently, Chai said he feels that his previous involvement with the University, education and research will help him in his work as dean.
“I have collaborated with many different schools in my previous role as the associate dean [of] research,” Chai said. “I have mentored a lot of undergrad students in my lab, and I know students from Dornsife or even high school students who attend Bravo high school [because] they work in my lab to learn how to do research.”
When Sadan departed from USC, the university conducted a nationwide search for a new dean. Students appreciate the fact that the new dean ended up being someone who is already so invested in USC.
Natalie Black, a USC alum, said she enjoyed her experience at USC and is excited to see what Chai does as dean.
“I know he stepped in as interim dean, and I think he did a great job,” Black said. “It’s pretty awesome that he was able to be a dean who’s familiar with us and kind of switched over from the research institute to come to the dental school.”
Chai’s prior involvement at USC is not the only thing students and alumni value about him. His prior experience in the field is another reason some say he is well-suited to serve as dean.
“Dean Chai is one of the most personable, genuine people I’ve ever met,” Sabrina Alterman, an alumnus and current second year periodontics resident, said. “He is extremely professional and [an] extremely good example of excellence. He has achieved a lot in his career, and I think that’s very inspiring for a lot of students, residents [and] faculty.”
While taking his first steps as dean, Chai said he hopes to hear what members of the USC community want him to prioritize so he can better work towards his goals.
“I truly believe that the most important thing for a leader is you first have to be a good listener,” Chai said. “We’re in the process of revising our strategic plan for the school, and so [in] that process we’re engaging with all the faculty, staff, students and alumni to get their input so we can really focus on the areas where [change is] important for the entire community.”
When it comes to patient care at the Keck Hospital of USC, Chai said he wants to focus on how they can improve clinical care, efficiency of patient treatment and lower costs. He also hopes to look into promoting care via social media platforms in order to inform patients.
Furthermore, Chai wants to focus on the collaboration projects between the different schools under Ostrow: dentistry, occupational science, occupational therapy, biokinesiology and physical therapy.
Black said she thinks Ostrow’s current faculty is amazing; however, she hopes to see Chai grow Ostrow’s faculty to provide more opportunities for students.
“I think that’s something that dental schools in general are struggling to do is have enough quality faculty for the students,” Black said. “I think recruiting new faculty is always a good thing [and] maintaining the faculty that we have now.”
Beyond faculty, Black said she wants to see a push for more affordable routes for students to attend dental school, as well as more investment into USC’s Mobile Clinic. Overall, she said she is excited to see what Chai will do in his new position and feels confident in his leadership.
“He’s so involved and cares so much about the students,” Black said. “He’s someone [who] is so friendly and loves to encourage students to ask questions … He’ll be the best Dean.”
Chai said he is excited to continue working as both an educator and a researcher, and is particularly excited to do so at USC.
“The Trojan Family is a real thing: It’s a very special network that no matter where you are, whether you are on the USC campus or you are in Asia or Europe, once you identify as part of the Trojan Family, then you have that instant connection,” Chai said. “That network of support is really the spirit of the Trojan Family.”
