Faculty

FULL-TIME CORE FACULTY

Maoyi Cai, M.D., M.S., Dipl.O.M. (NCCAOM), R.Ac. (Canada)

ACADEMIC DEAN / BIOMEDICAL SCIENCE DIRECTOR

Diplomat of Oriental Medicine, NCCAOM,USA, 2009 – Present
Registered Acupuncturist, Alberta, Canada, 1999 – Present
M.D., Education Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG), USA and
Medical Council of Canada (MCC), Canada
Master of Science, Biomedical Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso
Bachelor of Medicine, Clinical Medicine, Fu Dan University (formerly Shanghai Medical University)

Dr. Maoyi Cai has served as a board member of the Acupuncture Committee of Alberta, Canada, since 2003. He was also the Dean of Academic Affairs at Alberta College of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine, between 1997 and 2005. Dr. Cai passed the American and Canadian medical licensing examinations, and was certified as an M.D. in 1997 and 1999, respectively. Between 1990 and 1996, Dr. Cai taught a variety of biomedical science courses at colleges and universities in Texas and New Mexico. Dr. Cai practiced medicine, in the Shanghai Medical University, from 1984 to 1990. Dr. Cai joined the faculty of the Texas Health and Science University in January, 2006.

 

Shaozhi Li, Ph.D., Lic.Ac., PH.D.

DIRECTOR OF ACUPUNCTURE DEPARTMENT

PH.D., Hunan College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, China
Master Degree of Medicine, Hunan College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, China
Doctor of Medicine, Hunan College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, China

A specialist in TCM diagnosis, Li has taught TCM for over 18 years in China, the U.S., and Russia. He served as Deputy Director at Hunan College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Visiting Scholar at Michigan State University, and Associate Chair at Hunan College in China. He has extensive clinical experience and numerous publications to his credit, including: 

Chinese Therapeutic Methods of Acupoints, Theories of Chinese Medicine from Traditional to Modern, Teaching and Study of Diagnostics of Traditional Chinese Medicine, The Principles of Diagnosis and Treatment in Internal Medicine of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Traditional Diagnostics, Exercises of Diagnostics of Traditional Chinese Medicine, The Reference of Dignostics of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Diagnosis and Differentiation of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Among Dr. Li’s research papers are:

On Diagnostic method of integrated diseases and symptoms of Nanjiang, Tan Riqiang’s experience of treating fever, Primary observation of sphygmogram in the patients with heart-qi deficiency, and Observation on sphygmogram and cardiac output in coronary heart disease with heart-qi deficiency.

Li has been a faculty member at the University since 2001.

 

Guili Zheng, Lic.Ac., Ph.D.

DIRECTOR OF HERBAL DEPARTMENT

Ph.D., Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Pharmacology, China
Master of Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, China
Bachelor of Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, China

Dr. Zheng served as Assistant Professor, Associate Professor , and Associate Dean at Shandong University of TCM. He is a member of the China National Committee of Chinese Medicinal Formulae, paper reviewer of Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Journal of Shanxi Traditional Chinese Medicine. In addition to his more than 20 years of teaching, research, and clinical research experience, Dr. Zheng has almost 20 papers and books of TCM published in both Chinese and English. Dr. Zheng joined the faculty of Texas Health and Science University in 2001.

 

Haitao Cao, Lic. Ac., Ph.D.

Ph.D., Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
M.S. in Traditional Chinese Medicine, Internal Medicine, Shaanxi College of TCM
Bachelor’s of Traditional Chinese Medicine from Shaanxi College of TCM

Dr. Cao earned her Master’s degree in 2003 and her Doctorate in 2006. She came to the University in January of 2007 with over ten years of experience as a clinician, instructor, and researcher in Traditional Chinese Medicine, specializing in Internal Medicine. She has published original research in journals such as Traditional Chinese Medicine Research and Chinese Journal of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine on Digestion, and has edited volumes such as Methodology of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Introduction to Traditional Chinese Medicine.

 

 

Yien-Long (Dragon) Chu, Lic.Ac.

DIRECTOR OF CLINIC

Master of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, Texas Health and Science University

Dragon Chu has been a Licensed Acupuncturist in Texas since 2004. He became a Clinic Instructor at the Texas Health and Science University in 2008. In addition to his work at the College, Chu was a founder of Dragon Springs Acupuncture and Herb Clinic in Dripping Springs, TX. He has also served as Clinic Supervisor at SDT Chinese Medicine Clinic in Taiwan.

 

 

Lin-ying Tan, Ph.D. (China)

PROFESSOR OF TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE

DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH DEPARTMENT

Ph.D.,Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, China
M.M.S., Guang Xi Research Institute of Acupuncture & Moxibustion, China
B.M., Guang Xi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, China

Teaching Specialization: A – Acupuncture

Dr. Tan has been a student of Traditional Chinese Medicine for more than seventeen (17) years; she has taught professionally for more than eleven (11) years, and has been a practitioner of acupuncture for more than six (6) years.  She loves the culture of TCM and the “amazing magic therapeutic effect of acupuncture and moxibustion.”  As a post graduate student for the doctorate degree, she majored in Acupuncture and Moxibustion at Shanghai Research Institute of Acupuncture & Moxibustion and served as Attending Physician of Acupuncture in the clinic  She has also taught basic theory of TCM and the theory and application of acupuncture and moxibustion.  She is the author, principal and/or co-researcher of more than sixteen (16) published research articles and studies.  Dr. Tan is a welcome new member of the core faculty of Texas Health and Science University in May of 2012.

ADJUNCT FACULTY

Allison Y Yu, Lic. Ac., M.A.O.M.

Clinic Supervisor

M.A.O.M., Texas Health and Science University
M.Ed. in Counseling Education from University of North Texas

Allison Yu is a Texas licensed acupuncturist and herbalist and is nationally recognized as a board-certified Diplomat in oriental medicine by the NCCAOM.  With a background in education, she has been supervising the Student Intern Clinic at THSU and bringing her practical experience to help students with theoretical understanding.  Along with her general practice, she has strong interests in pain management, reproductive and gynecological conditions, and “Shen – Zhi” conditions which include insomnia, depression, anxiety, panic, PTSD, ADHD and weight control.  With over 10 years’  practice as an alternative health care professional, her passion is being a healer by combining a counseling and education background with Chinese medicine methods.  She helps her patients to cultivate a holistic understanding of the influences of body, mind, spirit, and environment, and she provides her patients with whole health treatments.

 

Roger Conant, M.B.A.

Director of Business

M.B.A., University of Texas at Austin
M.A., Asian Studies, University of Texas at Austin
B.A., Santa Clara University

Teaching Specialization: E – Business Curriculum

 

Mr. Conant embodies a unique combination of rich experience in academia and private industry. He was president and founder of his own therapy clinic, served as product manager for an e-learning enterprise, and worked as director of strategic marketing for an e-commerce firm. He has helped several companies to raise more than $18M in start-up funds by refining and developing their strategic business plans. He has served as instructor, department chair, and academic dean at various business schools for more than 9 years, and designed the Business curriculum for Texas Health and Science University and has served as its director since 2011.

Phyllis Jen Yurn Kung, L.Ac., M.A.O.M.

M.A.O.M., Texas Health and Science University
B.A., English, Boston College

Teaching Specialization: A – Acupuncture

Ms. Kung is a recent graduate of Texas Health and Science University who earned honor and distinction as Valedictorian of her graduating class in 2010. She is also certified in cosmetic acupuncture by Denise Elliger, L.Ac., co-founder of the MeiZen protocol and founder of the Center for Rejuvenation Acupuncture. Her primary focus includes lifestyle improvement acupuncture, including stress management, weight loss, smoking cessation, facial rejuvenation, and sports injury medicine. Ms. Kung currently serves as Secretary of the Texas Association of Acupuncturists.

Kevin (Wen-Chiang) Luo, L.Ac., M.S.

M.S., TCM, American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, San Francisco, CA

M.S., Engineering, UCLA

B.S., Engineering, National Chiao-Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan

Teaching Specialization: A – Acupuncture

 

Mr. Luo is a Licensed Acupuncturist in Texas and in the State of California. He is also certified by NCCAOM as Diplomat of Oriental Medicine. Fluent on English and Chinese, Mr. Luo serves as a translator and editor for the People’s Medical Publishing House located in Beijing, China’s leading publisher of Biomedicine and Chinese Medicine texts. Mr. Luo has taught at Texas Health and Science University since 2008.

 

Robert Nelson, Ph.D., L.P.C.

Ph.D., Psychology, California Coast University, Santa Ana, California

M.Ed., Counseling, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah

B.S., Asian Studies and Psychology, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah

Teaching Specialization: E – Counseling and Communications

 

Dr. Bob Nelson is a Licensed Professional Counselor with experience as a college instructor and 30 years of experience as a counselor with mental health organizations in the States of Utah, California, and Texas. He has counseled high school students of all ages and served as a military Chaplain where he provided individual, crisis, marriage, and religious counseling to soldiers in the United States Army. He has also provided counseling to patients in a private practice. Much of his teaching has related to Psychology, mental health, counseling, and communications. He provides individual and group counseling, supervises counseling interns, and specializes in Outpatient therapy to mostly chronically mentally ill patients. He is a welcome addition to the faculty as an Adjunct Instructor teaching the Counseling and Communications course at the University.

 

 

Jon Porter, J.D.

J.D., University of Arkansas

B.A., Southwestern University

Teaching Specialization: E – Practice Management and Ethics II

 

Mr. Porter is a Partner in the law firm McDonald, Mackay, and Weitz, L.L.P. His area of practice is licensure investigation and defense for health care professionals and administrative law, specialization highly relevant to the field of health care professions. He has been a member of the Texas bar since 1999, and a Partner at his firm since 2003. He is a former medical licensure examiner for the State of Texas. He has published in several professional journals relevant to the field of acupuncture and Oriental medicine. Mr. Porter’s teaching responsibilities at Texas Health and Science University are in the area of Practice Management, Ethics, and legal regulation of acupuncture in the State of Texas.

 

 

Tiffany Smith, L.Ac., M.S.A.O.M.

M.S.A.O.M., Texas Health and Science University

M.S., Microbiology and Immunology, Texas Tech University

B.S., Microbiology, Texas Tech University

Teaching Specialization: W – Biomedical Sciences

 

Ms. Smith is a licensed acupuncturist and herbalist, and a board-certified Diplomat in Oriental Medicine.  A graduate of Texas Health and Science University in August 2012, Ms. Smith was the Valedictorian of her class graduating with highest academic honors at the Summer Graduation Ceremony.  She earned her bachelor’ s degree in Microbiology and the Master of Science degree in Microbiology and Immunology at Texas Tech University.   Prior to pursuing a degree in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, Smith spent 15 years in the biotech industry as a research scientist, technical writer, and marketing manager.  Smith also has taught at Austin Community College and joined the Faculty of Texas Health and Science University in 2013. She teaches courses in Western Biomedical Sciences.  She maintains her own acupuncture practice specializing in pain and stress management, and Internal Medicine.

 

 

John Su, L.Ac., Ph.D. (China)

Ph.D., Heilongjiang University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, China

M.S.O.M., Texas Health and Science University

Teaching Specialization: O – Qi Gong, Tai Chi, A – Acupuncture

 

Dr. Su, a distinguished graduate of Texas Health and Science University, represents the legacy of a long family lineage of scholarship and research in Traditional Chinese Medicine based in China. He migrated to the United States and completed a Master of Science in Oriental Medicine at Texas Health and Science University. He began teaching full-time at the College and also returned to China during the summer to pursue the Ph.D. degree at Heilongjiang University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. He is an enthusiast of Qi Gong: Ba Duan Jin (Eight Pieces of Silk) and Tai Chi all forms. He has taught regularly at Texas Health and Science University since 1999.

 

 

Dale W. Tope, L.Ac.

M.A.O.M., Texas Health and Science University

B.S., Psychology and Sociology, Excelsior College

D.VN, Vocational Nursing, Concorde Career School

Teaching Specialization: A – Acupuncture

 

Mr. Tope is a graduate of Texas Health and Science University in August of 2010, with more than 10 years of experience in Nursing, including experience in retrospective utilization review. He has provided direct patient care to pediatric patients in a home setting, provided direct patient care in a skilled nursing environment, served as senior practical nursing supervisor for staff of 25 LPN’s and 40 field medical specialists with the 5520 U.A. Army Hospital in Aurora, CO, and provided direct patient care to patients in an intermediate critical care environment at Seton Medical Center in Austin, Texas. His professional career also includes more than 18 years of experience in staff development, office management and administration, training, logistics, and project management. He teaches as a Medical Instructor at Allied Health Careers located in Austin, and serves as Adjunct Instructor at Texas Health and Science University since 2011.

 

Don X. Zhang, D.A.O.M.

D.A.O.M. Oregon College of Oriental Medicine

Teaching Specialization: O – Qi Gong, Tai Chi

Dr. Zhang attended Henan University and Nanjing TCM University (China) and studied under established TCM experts in the fields of geriatrics, kidney disease, and wrist and ankle acupuncture before coming to the United States.  He is also among the first group of students to complete the Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (D.A.O.M.) degree in the U.S. with a specialty in pain management at Oregon College of Oriental Medicine.  Dr. Zhang is the founder of the Zhang’s Sternum Region diagnosis and treatment system as well as Zhang’s Microsystems Treatment method.  He is also the founder of the Intended Evolution Theory and Intended Evolution Fitness practice.  The 6th International TCM Conference recognized Dr. Zhang’s paper in 1997 with the Yellow Emperor Award.  He was also recognized with the world famous Qi Gong Master Award at the World Integrated Medicine Conference in 1999.