Xiaowen Bai, MD, PhD
Professor
Anesthesiology
Academic information
- Department: Anesthesiology
Research interests
- Anesthetic-Induced Brain Injury
- Alcohol-Induced Neurodegeneration
- Mitochondria-Targeted Cellular Protection
- Non-Coding RNA Mechanisms (microRNA & lncRNA) in Brain Function and Disease
- Stem Cell and 3D Organoid Biology
- Stem Cell-Based Disease
About
Biography
I am a neuroscientist and human stem cell biologist whose research investigates the mechanisms of neurodegeneration and neurodevelopmental brain vulnerability. My group integrates human stem cell biology, mouse models, advanced imaging, and translational approaches to understand how metabolic stress and environmental or pharmacological exposures disrupt brain function and long-term neurological outcomes
My laboratory focuses on anesthetic and alcohol-induced neurodegeneration, redox imbalance, and mitochondrial signaling pathways. We employ human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived neural cells, cerebral organoids, and other 3D neural models, together with multi-omics profiling, bioinformatics, and functional imaging to define cell type–specific mechanisms of injury. We are particularly interested in how genetic and epigenetic regulators—including microRNAs (miRNAs) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs)—shape cellular vulnerability, mitochondrial dysfunction, and recovery in the brain.
Our long-term goal is to identify clinically relevant biomarkers and actionable pathways that can inform safer pediatric anesthesia practices and enable new therapeutic strategies for neurological disorders. We collaborate across basic and translational disciplines to accelerate discovery and clinical impact.
In addition, my laboratory leverages human stem cell–derived 3D organoid platforms (e.g., brain and heart organoids) to model human disease and evaluate regenerative and therapeutic strategies.
My research has been continuously supported by the NIH, and I have received multiple research and education awards. I have authored more than 90 peer-reviewed publications and mentor trainees across graduate, medical, and residency programs.
Credentials
Education
- PhD
- Beijing University, Department of Cell Biology, Stem Cell Center, Beijing, China
- MS
- Xian Medical University, Xian, China
- MD
- Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
Research
Research interests
- Anesthetic-Induced Brain Injury
- Alcohol-Induced Neurodegeneration
- Mitochondria-Targeted Cellular Protection
- Non-Coding RNA Mechanisms (microRNA & lncRNA) in Brain Function and Disease
- Stem Cell and 3D Organoid Biology
- Stem Cell-Based Disease
- Modeling and Drug Discovery
- Diabetes-Induced Cardiomyopathy
Editorial Activities
- Reviewer for leading journals in the fields of neuroscience, stem cell biology, cardiovascular research and anesthesiology
- Board member, Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology
- Board member, Journal of Geriatric Cardiology
- Board member, World Journal of Biological Chemistry
- Board member, International Journal of Anesthesiology Research
- Board member, Austin Neurology Board member, Austin Neurological Clinic, Austin, Texas
- Board member, Advanced Neurology
Professional Activities
- Reviewer and panel member for National Institutes of Health study sections
- Invited speaker at national and international scientific meetings and institutions
- Member, Research Society on Alcohol
- Member, Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Honor Society
- Member, Society for Redox Biology and Medicine
- Member, Hematology of World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies
- Member, Society for Neuroscience
- Member, International Anesthesia Research Society
- Member, American Society for Anesthesiology
- Member, International Society for Stem Cell Research
- Member, American Heart Association
Current Funding
- NIH/NIGMS (R35, Outstanding Investigator Award)
Mitochondria and anesthetic-induced developmental neurotoxicity