In the midst of increasing global attention on traditional Chinese medicine, the University of California, Silicon Valley (UC Silicon Valley) has emerged as a pivotal hub for Chinese medicine education in North America.
On June 18, Dr. Yang Lei, the dean of the college, sat down for an exclusive interview with our publication to discuss the founding principles of the college and the launch of the doctoral program in Brainology scheduled for the latter half of 2025. This initiative not only marks a new milestone for the school but also opens up new avenues for the modern application of Chinese medicine.
Dean Yang Lei expressed that the establishment of Silicon Valley College aims to impart unique knowledge not covered in traditional Chinese medical schools, with a focus on the diagnosis, prescription, and treatment of complex diseases. “We hope that students will not only master the foundational theories of Chinese medicine such as diagnostics, acupuncture, and herbal medicine but also be able to flexibly apply them to solve clinical challenges,” he said.
For example, in the case of gallstones, Western medicine often resorts to surgical removal, while Chinese medicine seeks to “transform” the stones to preserve the body. The college has pioneered the “Meridian and Acupoint Therapy,” using a specially designed osteo-conductive hammer to precisely strike, leading to softening or discharge of the stones on the same day, fundamentally adjusting the pathological structure. “It’s like switching a factory production line from making clothes to making masks, changing the structure so that gallstones no longer form,” vividly illustrated Dean Yang.
The school also inherits precious wisdom from ancient texts. Dean Yang shared that an elder of 78 years entrusted him with unpublished ancient texts left by his father – an outstanding Chinese medicine practitioner. These texts include unique theories such as “Yinjing Medicine,” which can accurately guide the medication to specific areas, resolving issues like elbow pain. “These ancient texts are treasures of Chinese medicine, and I have a responsibility to systematically organize them and pass down the essence,” he said.
In the latter half of 2025, the college will launch a Professional Doctorate program, a milestone achievement in its 18 years of existence. After three years of preparation, the program has obtained third-level accreditations from the California Acupuncture Board, the California Department of Education, and the U.S. Department of Education’s Oriental Medicine Accreditation agency. Graduates will earn the title of “Doctor,” paving the way for careers in high-end medical practice or research.
Different from traditional lecture-style Chinese medicine doctoral programs, this curriculum focuses on “Chinese Medicine Brainology,” integrating Western anatomy of the brain, neurophysiology, electrophysiology, and incorporating AI brainwave analysis and brain interface technology to address challenging diseases such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s, depression, epilepsy, among others. “By combining traditional Chinese methods of observation and diagnosis with modern brainwave analysis, we aim to explore early signs of diseases for precise diagnosis and treatment,” Dean Yang explained.
The program requires students to write a thesis and encourages them to publish their findings in prestigious journals like “Health,” edited by Stanford University. As a visiting professor at Stanford University, Dean Yang will teach the application of holographic acupuncture in Brainology. Students will also participate in monthly community consultations in Santa Cruz or Monterey to serve the community.
Since its establishment in 2007, the school’s promotion of Chinese medicine education has faced challenges.
Dean Yang candidly admitted that Chinese medicine is not mainstream in the United States, leading to restricted employment opportunities and insurance coverage for students. Many Chinese medicine schools have closed due to insufficient market demand. “But the proficiency in medical skills is abundant, and patients are not lacking,” he stated. “Patients with chronic and complex illnesses often seek Chinese medicine after Western treatments fail, and word of mouth is our greatest asset.”
The school actively participates in community events such as Mid-Autumn Festival consultations, collaborates with Taiwanese communities and media, integrating into Chinese communities.
The college is currently constructing an AI Brainwave Research Laboratory, expected to be completed by the summer of 2025, offering students cutting-edge research opportunities.
Dedicating itself to the modern application of Chinese medicine, the college will release smart pillows and quantum nanoinfrared heat wave instruments in August 2025. The heat wave device replaces the traditional moxibustion lamp, covering the entire body, treating lower back pain, arthritis, with medication guidance function, priced affordably between $300 and $350. “These products combine Chinese medicine with technology for the benefit of the public,” Dean Yang asserted.
The doctoral program welcomes international students with undergraduate (four to four and a half years) or master’s (one year) degrees, regardless of Chinese or Western medical backgrounds. The courses are conducted in Chinese and English, scheduled for evenings and weekends. Dean Yang emphasized that the school aims to cultivate talents genuinely committed to inheriting Chinese medicine rather than mere “mediocre doctors” for licensure.
“We hope our first cohort of doctoral students will delve deeply into academics, becoming truly professional specialists in Brainology. This will not only greatly benefit their clinical practice but also bring about benefits for more patients,” he concluded. ◇