He received his PhD specializing in genetics and biotechnology from Louisiana State University (LSU) in 2001. He had post-doctoral training in cellular and molecular biology to study osteoclastogenesis, osteogenesis and their role in tooth eruption. Currently, Dr. Yao is focused his research in the following areas: (a) Molecular regulation of tooth eruption;(b) Development of therapeutic protocol for treatment of tooth eruption disorders;(c) Isolation and differentiation of dental tissue-derived stem cells for tissue regeneration, and (d) Dental implant research. Dr. Yao's research is supported by NIH, State of Louisiana, LSU and private sources. He has published more than 40 scientific articles. He serves as a reviewer for 14 scientific journals.