SF State biology Prof. Frank Bayliss waits in pleasurable expectation for the day he can drop everything and fly to Washington, D.C.

"I'm just looking forward to meeting the president," Bayliss said. "I think it's cool."

Bayliss is one of 10 recipients of the 2008 Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring. President Obama is expected to present the award -- at an undetermined date this fall -- at the White House.

"Surely there can be no one who more completely deserves recognition for his success in mentoring students in the science, engineering and mathematics disciplines than Dr. Frank Bayliss," wrote James Kelley, SF State dean emeritus of the College of Science and Engineering, in his nomination letter.

Bayliss began his career at SF State 34 years ago, first in an administrative role, then as an instructor. During his time in the classroom he recognized a frustrating trend among minority students.

"Graduate students were taking four, five, six years to do their master's," Bayliss said. "So I had to find some way to buy students out from these distracting jobs, to get them into being full-time science students doing research."

Bayliss' solution to the problem is the Student Enrichment Opportunities office. Today, Bayliss devotes most of his time to the SEO, which consists of nine undergraduate and seven graduate programs, five of which Bayliss founded.

His two undergraduate programs are the Minority Access to Research Careers and the Research Initiative for Scientific Advancement. There is also a RISE program for graduate students, as well as the M.A.-M.S./Ph.D. Bridge to the Future and the Genentech Foundation Dissertation fellowship.

"These programs have brought in over $60 million since I've started," Bayliss said. "Genentech called me up and asked me if I would be interested in applying for some money," he said. "That is the first time that has ever happened. But that's what happens when you get to the point where you are successful and you perform. That's the key."

Money isn't the only support students receive because of Bayliss' work. His programs also include one-on-one mentoring by Bayliss and other science and engineering faculty.

"Dr. Frank Bayliss is my hero," said graduate student Andrew Carriman. "His mentorship has assisted me immensely, and if I am successful, it is through Dr. Bayliss' mentorship and encouragement."

Bayliss' encouragement extends beyond the classroom. He sometimes finds himself nurturing the students in their personal lives and occasionally bridging the gap between generations and cultures, explaining to families how important a continued education is.

"Dr. Bayliss has been an incredible source of support and inspiration in my life," said Yudy Cristo, 31, a graduate student in cellular and molecular biology.

Cristo, a single mother of two who plans to start a neuroscience Ph.D. at UC San Francisco in fall 2010, had to contend with personal and family related challenges on top of her educational responsibilities.

"It has been during these critical and difficult times that Dr. Bayliss' support has been an essential component sustaining my academic life," Cristo said. "His leadership has re-energized me, has strengthened my vision, and has fired up my passion."

Bayliss said he has enjoyed the opportunities for reconnecting with old students this award has given him, and gets a kick out of imagining the things he will say to the president when the time finally comes.

He said he thinks President Obama has had a rough go of it lately, and would just like the opportunity to tell him how much his work is appreciated and that he is doing a good job.

Along with the award comes a spot on a committee at the National Science Foundation, which Bayliss said yields some power in policymaking.

"A lot of these committees are filled with people that were born with silver spoons in their mouth," he said. "They are wonderful people but they haven't got any idea what it's like to have (the CSU) experience."

Bayliss is also the recipient of the 2009 distinguished professional mentor award from SACNAS -- Advancing Hispanic/Chicanos and Native Americans in Science.

Bayliss said this award means a great deal to him as well because he was nominated by his students. The professor said he is humbled by all the attention he has received. He tells his students to always follow their passion and said he feels lucky he is able to heed his own advice.

"Hey, I'm happy," Bayliss said. "Everything I get now is just extra."