The quality of education at Yo San University in the DAOM program is a reflection of the expertise of it’s the fine faculty each selected carefully for the Doctoral program. Each member of our faculty has been chosen for their superior knowledge and skill in their particular field. Each has demonstrated a commitment and passion for healing. Our founders, Daoshing and Maoshing Ni along with others are descended from a lineage of TCM masters in China. Our biomedical and Professional Development faculty each come from major Universities like UCLA, USC and Duke University. All faculty members are experienced, successful teacher-practitioners. The program has been designed to allow for the development of meaningful mentor relationships and the incorporation of knowledge and skills engaged in the classroom into your own practice.

Daoshing Ni, OMD, Ph.D, L.Ac – Co-founder
Dr. Daoshing Ni was born into a medical family from China that spanned many generations. As the eldest son, he began his study of Chinese medicine at an early age with his father Hua-Ching Ni, a renowned Taoist master, physician of Chinese medicine and noted author. After completing advanced studies in TCM Internal Medicine, Gynecology, and Pediatrics at Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Nanjing College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Dr. Dao went on to earn double doctorates with an emphasis in Gynecology from Samra University of Oriental Medicine. In private practice since 1984, Dr. Dao co-founded the Tao of Wellness in Santa Monica, California with his brother and specialized in Women’s Health and Reproductive Medicine. Over the years, Dr. Dao became one of the foremost authorities in TCM Reproductive Medicine in the United States and has lectured at reproductive symposiums and gynecology conferences around the country. He co-founded Yo San University, is a past President and currently serves as its Chancellor. Dr. Dao was an examiner for the California Acupuncture Board and a consultant in the Chinese Herbology Examination development for the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. Dr. Dao has been featured on TV shows such as Today Show, Hour Magazine, Home Show, Option for Health and Donny and Marie Show, and is a recipient of the Award for Outstanding Health Professionals. Among the numerous publications on TCM, reproductive medicine and gynecology, Dr. Dao has contributed to books such as Endometriosis and Endometrium and Overcoming Endometriosis. He is also the author of Crane Style Qigong. His latest book, The Tao of Fertility, was published in April 2008.

Mao Shing Ni, OMD, Ph.D, L.Ac –
Co-founder / Institutional Member
Dr. Mao Shing Ni is a doctor of Chinese medicine and an authority in the field of Anti-Aging Medicine. He was taught tai chi and qigong early on and began his medical training with his father, a renowned physician of Chinese medicine and Taoist master. Dr. Mao continued his training in schools of Chinese medicine in the U.S. and China. He eventually became the youngest person to be Board-licensed in acupuncture in the state of California. Dr. Mao went on to receive two doctoral degrees from Samra University of Oriental Medicine and wrote his PhD dissertation on nutrition, also carrying out a 20-year study of centenarians in China. A board certified anti-aging specialist with the American Board of Anti-Aging Health Practitioners, Dr. Mao co-founded the Tao of Wellness, in Santa Monica, California and was awarded the Best Acupuncturists by Los Angeles Magazine and also received Acupuncturist of the Year Award. In addition to his private practice, Dr. Mao also co-founded and is a past President of Yo San University in Los Angeles. Dr. Mao has lectured internationally on various topics including longevity medicine, diet and nutrition, herbal therapy, stress management, meditation, lifestyle enhancement, integrative cancer care, tai chi, qigong, and spirituality. He continues to conduct health and longevity retreats throughout the world. Dr. Mao has been featured guest on public radio, prime time TV shows and major print media such as Good Day L.A., Eye on L.A., CBS Evening News, NBC News, Which Way L.A., New York Times and Los Angeles Times. He has authored many books including Secrets of Longevity: Hundreds of Ways to Live to be 100, Secrets of Self-Healing, Chinese Herbology, Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Medicine, Energy Enhancement Exercise: The Eight Treasures, Ageless: Smooth Passages through Menopause, Dr. Mao’s Harmony Tai Chi, and the Tao of Nutrition, a required text for the California Acupuncture Board Licensing Examination.

Dawn Upchurch, Ph.D. - Dr. Upchurch earned the Ph.D. Degree in Demography and Population Dynamics from the School of Hygiene and Public Health of Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore Maryland. She also holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from Stanford University. Since 2003 Dawn has been a professor in the Department of Community Health Sciences in the School of Public Health at UCLA. She has had affiliations in the past with a number of prestigious research centers in Southern California and in Maryland at Johns Hopkins University. Dawn has been the principal Investigator for numerous studies including several significant NIH grant funded projects. She has a long history of interest in issues that pertain to women’s health and has served as a journal reviewer and presenter at many symposia and professional meetings. Dawn’s background includes numerous research publications, a factor that will be most useful in her role in teaching research methodology courses in the DAOM program.