Education
Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
M.S. in Medicinal Chemistry, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University
B.S. in Chemical Pharmaceutics, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University
Research Interests
- Formulation design and optimization
- Nanocarrier development and characterization
- Exosome isolation, purification, bioengineering, and targeting study
- Protein, siRNA, mRNA, and CRISPR/CAS9 delivery
- In-vitro in-vivo correlation (IVIVC) and PK/PD evaluation of nanoformulations
Dr. Bai’s research focuses on advancing nanotechnology and biotechnology to overcome the challenges of targeted and controlled drug delivery. His work integrates synthetic and natural nanoplatforms to enhance therapeutic efficacy by addressing drug delivery issues such as poor absorption, instability, and lack of disease specificity. Key areas of expertise include non-viral gene delivery carriers for improved gene encapsulation, sustained-release liposomes and microemulsions, and exosome-based nanocarriers for precision drug targeting. His approaches combine material science, cell bioengineering, and advanced drug delivery systems to achieve precise temporal and spatial delivery of proteins, siRNAs, mRNA, and gene therapies. Additionally, he incorporates computational modeling, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and smart design of experiments (DoEs) to optimize preformulation and formulation design, offering innovative strategies to advance the development of contemporary drug delivery systems.
Teaching Courses
- Pharmaceutics
- Advanced drug delivery systems
- Compounding lab
- Drug development and approval
- Analytical Techniques
Scholarly Works
Research Grants
- USDA/NIFA Agriculture and Food Research Initiative. Nanoscale Exosomes from Broccoli Sprouts Improve the Targeted Delivery and Therapeutic Efficacy of Bioactives against Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Co-PD, 2023-2025)
- NIH/NIBIB R03EB028572. Cell-homing Exosomes as a Drug Delivery Carrier to Overcome Multiple Drug Resistance (PI, 2019-2022)
- American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) New Investigator Award. Combination of Sulforaphane and Paclitaxel to Treat triple-negative Breast Cancer (Consultant, 2015-2016)
- Maine IDe Network of Biomedical Research Excellence Fellowship. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) as a Model for Assessing Exosome-inspired Brain Drug Delivery across the Blood-brain Barrier (2013)
- Maine Cancer Foundation Pilot Research Grant. Inhibition of Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 in Lung Cancer Cells by Selective siRNA Nanoparticles (PI, 2013-2014)
- Maine Cancer Foundation Pilot Research Grant. Anticancer Drug Delivery to the Brain Using Cell-derived Exosome Nanovesicles (Co-PI, 2013-2014)
- Maine Cancer Foundation Pilot Research Grant. Targeted siRNA Inhibition of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors in Lung Cancer Cells (PI, 2011-2012)
Publications
A selection of peer-reviewed articles as the corresponding author, *indicates student co-authors
- Liu Y*, Hou J, Zhao Y, Zhou J, Bai S, and Ding Y. (2024) Comprehensive pan-cancer analysis of the C2ORF40 expression: Infiltration associations and prognostic implications. FASEB J. 38:e2376.
- Yang T, Curtis S*, Bai A*, Young A*, Derosier D*, Ripley S*, and Bai S (2023) CRISPR/Cas9 targeting liposomes knocked down multidrug resistance proteins in brain endothelial cells as a model to predict potential pharmacoresistance. Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces. 222:113103.
- Yang T, Shin H*, Nguyen K*, and Bai S (2019) Validation of the stability of paracetamol in extemporaneously compounded suppositories. Journal of Pharmacy Practice and Research 49:219-223.
- Yang T, Ferrill L*, Gallant L*, McGillicuddy S*, Fernandes* T, Schields N*, and Bai S (2018) Verapamil and riluzole cocktail liposomes overcome pharmacoresistance by inhibiting P-glycoprotein in brain endothelial and astrocyte cells: a potent approach to treat amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences 120:30-39.
- Yang T, Fogarty B*, LaForge B*, Aziz1 S*, Pham T*, Lai L, and Bai S (2017) Delivery of small interfering RNA to inhibit vascular endothelial growth factor in zebrafish using natural brain endothelial cell-secreted exosome nanovesicles for the treatment of brain cancer. The AAPS Journal 19:475-486.
- Yang T, Tran D*, Lai L, and Bai S (2017). Zebrafish (Danio rerio) in modeling brain disorders. Annals of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutics 2:1037-1043.
- Yang T and Bai S (2016) Small fish realm, big brain dream. Annals of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutics.1:1004-1005.
- Yang T, Martin P*, Fogarty B*, Brown A*, Schurman K*, Phipps R, Yin V, Lockman P, and Bai S (2015). Exosome delivered anticancer drugs across the blood-brain barrier for brain cancer therapy in Danio rerio. Pharmaceutical Research 32:2003-2014 (Meritorious Manuscript Award).
- Yang T, Bantegui T*, Pike K*, Bloom R*, Phipps R, and Bai S (2014) In vitro evaluation of optimized liposomes for delivery of small interfering RNA. Journal of Liposome Research 24:270-279.
- Zhao YY, Zhang SQ, Wei F, Fan YM, Sun F, and Bai S (2014). Quality control of natural product medicine and nutrient supplements. Journal of Analytical Methods in Chemistry. 2014:109068.
A complete list of publications:
