Dr. Shi is Professor and Research Center Director at the Sun Yat-Sen University. Dr. Shi received his D.D.S. degree and certificate in Pediatric Dentistry from the Peking University School of Stomatology and Ph.D. in Craniofacial Biology from the University of Southern California. His research program focuses on understanding mechanism of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-associated diseases and exploring feasibility of translating research discoveries to clinical therapies. His team was the first to identify dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs), baby tooth stem cells (SHED), periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs), root apical papilla stem cells, tendon stem cells, gingival stem cells (GMSCs), sclera MSCs, and benign tumor MSCs from keloid. These novel and landmark discoveries have opened opportunities for scientists to investigate oral tissue-derived stem cells and their use for tissue engineering, disease modeling, and clinical treatment. According to the clinicalTrials.gov, there are 21 clinical trials using DPSCs, SHED, PDLSCs, and GMSCs to treat a variety of human diseases. In translational study, Dr. Shi’s team and their collaborators have used these stem cells to regenerate a variety of tissues, including dentin, pulp, periodontal ligament, tendon, bone, bio-root in preclinical animal models. Dr. Shi and his collaborators are the first to use MSCs to treat systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and use dental stem cells to regenerate dental pulp and periodontal tissues in patients. Also, Dr. Shi and his collaborators are the first to use dental stem cells to treat systemic diseases such as type 2 diabetes patients. To understand mechanisms of MSC-based therapies, Dr. Shi’s team was the first to reveal that recipient immune cells regulated cell-based bone regeneration. Dr. Shi and his collaborators are the first to discover that epigenetic regulation determined the therapeutic effect of MSC transplantation in human and mouse models. Additionally, Dr. Shi’s team is the first to identify the role of H2S in regulating stem cells and Tregs. Dr. Shi has published more than 200 peer-reviewed articles in a variety of high-impact scientific journals. According to the google scholar, Dr. Shi’s publication has been cited over 55,000 times and acquired 98 h-index. Clinically, Dr. Shi hold Dental Licensure of State of California and had experience working at NIH hospital and private practice section in USA. This background makes Dr. Shi a highly qualified translational researcher to use stem cells in clinical setting. Dr. Shi is recipient of the 2013 IADR Distinguished Scientist Award for Pulp Biology & Regeneration and the 2020 Outstanding Contribution Award from the Society of Oral Medicine (Chinese Stomatology Association).
