Contact Information and List of Faculty Research Mentors

Becoming a Dental Student Researcher

For additional information about student research, or for those faculty who wish to add their names to the list or update their listing, please contact John Warren, director of the Student Research Group Training Program, Dows Institute for Dental Research (N406A DSB; 353-4765) or Sara Anstoetter, project assistant (N406 DSB; 335-7404).

Faculty Research Mentors

• Steven A. Aquilino , DDS, MS, Prof. and Head, Prosthodontics, S418 DSB, Ph. 5-7277.
  Areas of research: prosthodontics materials; implant prosthodontics; dentinal adhesive systems; etched metal/resin bonded prostheses; TMJ radiography.
• Armstrong, Steven R. , DDS, Ph.D., Asst. Prof., Operative Dentistry and Dows Institute, S245 DSB, Ph. 5-7211.
  Areas of research: dentinal adhesion.
• Baker, Karen A., R.Ph, MS, Assoc. Prof., Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, S455 DSB, Ph. 5-7459.
  Areas of research: dental management of medically compromised patients; antibiotics for treatment of odontogenic infections; efficacy of agents for pain/anxiety associated with dental procedures; efficacy of chemotherapeutic periodontal disease agents.
• Bishara, Samir E., BDS, D.Orth., DDS, MS, Prof., Orthodontics, S225 DSB, Ph. 5-7303.
  Areas of research: longitudinal analysis of facial growth in normal patients; evaluation of orthodontic treatment results; orthodontic biomaterial research.
• Bouschlicher, Murray R., DDS, MS, Assoc. Prof., Operative Dentistry, S245 DSB, Ph. 5-7210.
  Areas of research: restorative dental materials; curing lights; photopolymerization; polymerization shrinkage stress/strain.
• Brogden, Kim A., PhD., Professor, Periodontics and Dows Institute for Dental Research, N401 DSB, Ph. 5-8077.
  Areas of research: Innate immunity; defensin-induced adaptive immunity, antimicrobial peptides; defensins; host response to infection; animals models of infection; bacterial pathogenesis; determinants of periodontal disease pathogenesis.
• Casko, John S., DDS, MS, PhD., Professor and B.F. Helen Dewel Endowed Chair in Clinical Orthodontics, S220 DSB, Ph. 5-7289.
  Areas of research: facial change and stability in surgical orthodontic patients.
• Chalmers, Jane M., BDSc, MS, PhD, Associate Professor, Preventive and Community Dentistry, N337-1 DSB, Ph. 5-7203.
  Areas of research: Longitudinal oral epidemiological research with a focus on geriatrics, nursing homes and dementia; oral health promotion in special care dentistry; service delivery in special care dentistry, including the use of dental auxiliaries. Current projects include the use of oral assessments and care plans in nursing homes, and longitudinal research on the oral health status of older adults living in the community, including those with dementia.
• Cobb, Deborah, DDS, MS, Assoc. Prof., Operative Dentistry, S236 DSB, Ph. 5-7214.
  Areas of research: physical properties of dental materials (bond strength, etc.); clinical studies.
• Cowen, Howard, DDS, MS, Assoc. Prof. and Dir., Special Care Program and Preventive & Community Dentistry, N337 DSB, Ph. 5-6961.
  Areas of research: research in geriatric and compromised populations.
• Cunningham-Ford, Marsha A., BS, MS, Assoc. Prof., Preventive & Community Dentistry, N334 DSB, Ph. 5-7204.
  Areas of research: educational research; patient satisfaction and utilization behaviors; community analysis.
• Damiano, Peter C., DDS, MPH, Prof., Preventive & Community Dentistry and Public Policy Center, N328 DSB and 227 SQ, Ph. 5-7184 and 5-6813.
  Areas of research: access to care; practitioner participation in Medicaid and Medicare; systematic quality assurance; health policy; health care financing; health care reform; program evaluation.
• Dawson, Deborah V., PhD, ScM, Prof. & Director of Biostatistics, Preventive & Community Dentistry, N439 DSB, Ph. 5-7189.
  Areas of research: statistical evaluation on clinical, basic science, and epidemiologic research data; statistical genetic modeling of human disorders, particularly dental disorders, developmental disorders, and immune and inflammatory disorders; meta-analysis
• Denehy, Gerard E., DDS, MS, Prof., Operative Dentistry, S229 DSB, Ph. 5-7209.
  Areas of research: bonding; composite resin restorative materials; bleaching; and esthetics.
• Diaz-Arnold, Ana M., DDS, MS, Assoc. Prof. and AEGD Director, Family Dentistry, S401 DSB, Ph. 5-7322.
  Areas of research: materials testing of porcelain; resin composite; glass ionomer; alloy and adhesives to include bond strength; hardness; and fluoride release.
• Drake, David R., MS, PhD, Prof., Dows Institute and Endodontics, N407 DSB, Ph. 5-7384.
  Areas of research: mechanisms of pathogenicity and physiology of oral microorganisms in caries, periodontal disease; implantology; root canal infections; and effects of antimicrobials on oral bacteria.
• Ettinger, Ronald L.., BDS, MDS, DDSc, Prof., Dows Institute and Prosthodontics, N409 DSB, Ph. 5-7378.
  Areas of research: oral epidemiology; geriatric dentistry; longitudinal studies of overdentures; caries prevention of overdentures in vitro.
• Finkelstein, Michael W., DDS, MS, Prof., Oral Pathology, Radiology & Medicine, S357 DSB, Ph. 5-9656.
  Areas of research: development and evaluation of patient case studies and other materials for teaching clinical diagnosis and development of clinical problem-solving skills.
• Fridrich, Kirk L., DDS, MS, Prof., and Head, Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, E202 GH, Ph. 356-1981.
  Areas of research: clinical aspects of OMFS including neurosensory recovery; alveolar osteitis; intraoral suture material; orthognathic surgery; and dental implants.
• Gratton, David G., BSc, DDS, MS, Asst. Prof., Prosthodontics, S420 DSB, Ph. 335-9159.
  Areas of research: Dental implant biomechanics, specifically the “mechanical integration” of components of the dental implant prosthetic stack under simulated dynamic fatigue conditions. Materials testing of dental materials under static and dynamic fatigue protocols such as carbon fiber and ceramic post and core systems and all ceramic crown systems. Investigation of emerging prosthodontic CAD CAM technologies.
• Johnson, William T., DDS, MS, Prof. and Head, Endodontics, S437 DSB, Ph. 5-7471.
  Areas of research: ultrasonics; pulp biology; materials and products in endodontics; and blood flow.
• Keller, John C., MS, PhD, Prof., Dows Institute and Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery; Dean, Graduate College, N402 DSB, Ph. 5-7375.
  Areas of research: biological responses to biomedical materials, especially implants and bone substitute materials; characteristics of implant surfaces; mechanics of implant retention. Requests participation at the co-mentoring level.
• Khera, Satish C., BDS, DDS, MS, Prof., Operative Dentistry, S234 DSB, Ph. 5-7212.
  Areas of research: behavior of tooth structure (enamel & dentin) under forces of chewing function; materials research.
• Kuthy, Raymond A., DDS, MPH, Prof. & Head, Preventive and Community Dentistry, N336 DSB, Ph. 5-7201.
  Areas of research: statewide and national oral health needs assessment; dental work force issues; impact of extramural dental student experiences on dental access.
• Levy, Steven M., DDS, MPH, Prof. and Graduate Program Director, Preventive & Community Dentistry, N330 DSB, Ph. 5-7185.
  Areas of research: ingestion of fluorides and dental fluorosis; esthetic impact of dental fluorosis; early childhood caries prevention; epidemiology; prevention; patient histories & medication; fluorides, genetics, exercise and bone development; sucking patterns and dental growth development; root caries, geriatric dentistry.
• Lindquist, Terry J., DDS, MS, Assoc. Prof., Prosthodontics, S422 DSB, Ph. 5-7281.
  Areas of research: wear of restorative materials.
• Marshall, Teresa A., PhD in human nutrition, Asst. Prof., Preventive & Community Dentistry, N335 DSB, Ph. 5-1790.
  Areas of research: diet and nutrition as relates to both oral and systemic health.
• Morgan, Teresa A., DDS, MS, Assistant Professor, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 51374 Pomerantz Family Pavilion, UIHC, Ph. 3-6342
  Areas of research: Nerve injury and repair; odontogenic keratocyst; facial esthetics; methamphetamine abuse; outpatient anesthesia.
• Murray, Jeffrey C., MD, Prof., Pediatrics, Biology and Dentistry, 2182 ML, Ph. 5-6897
  Areas of research: molecular genetics and epidemiology of craniofacial birth defects with special emphasis on cleft lip and palate using gene mapping, DNA sequencing and animal models.
• Ruprecht, Axel , DDS, MScD, Prof., Oral Pathology, Radiology & Medicine, S341 DSB, Ph. 5-7341; Dept. of Radiology, College of Medicine. Areas of research: oral & maxillofacial radiology.
• Schneider, Galen B., DDS, Ph.D., Assoc. Prof., Prosthodontics and Dows Institute, N402 DSB, Ph. 5-7382.
  Areas of research: bone cell biology as it relates to implant osseointegration and bone tissue engineering. His research interest focuses on several questions: 1. How does osteoblast cell adhesion regulate bone growth at the molecular level? 2. Does implant surface microtopography influence osteoblast differentiation? 3. Can bone tissue be engineered using injectable scaffolds? 4. Can microgravity environments be used for osseous tissue engineering?
• Schneider, Robert L., DDS, MS, Prof. (Clinical), Prosthodontics, 51363 PFP, Ph. 384-8655.
  Areas of research: physical properties of dental materials, gypsum, acrylic resins, etc.; dental implants, biomechanical stress, prosthesis design, bone grafting materials.
• Southard, Karin, A., DDS, MS, Prof., Orthodontics, S221 DSB, Ph. 5-7290.
  Areas of research: consult with Dr. Thomas Southard.
• Southard, Thomas E., MS, DDS, MS, Prof. and Head, Orthodontics, S240 DSB, Ph. 5-7538.
  Areas of research: biomechanics in orthodontic treatment and jaw function; computer imaging.
• Squier, Christopher A., MA, PhD, DSc, FRC Path, Prof. and Assoc. Dean for Research and Graduate Studies, Department of Oral Pathology, Radiology & Medicine, N419 DSB, Ph. 5-7388.
  Areas of research: permeability and pathogenesis of oral mucosal disease; effects of tobacco in the etiology of oral cancer.
• Staley, Robert N., DDS, MA, MS, Prof., Orthodontics, S224 DSB, Ph. 5-7302.
  Areas of research: root growth; dental and oral morphology; enamel demineralization; and orthodontic materials testing.
• Stanford, Clark M., DDS, PhD, Centennial Fund Prof. and Director, Clinical Research; Dept. of  Prosthodontics and Dows Institute, N405 DSB, Ph. 5-7381.
  Areas of research: research project involves studies to understand the molecular and cellular changes that occur with osteoporosis (e.g., estrogen receptor regulation); how bone leads to a long-term stable dental implant interface; and how bone matrix components regulate cell adhesion and phenotypic stability. Clinical studies involve a wide variety of patient outcomes of care research. Interest especially associated with prosthodontic implant therapies.
• Vargas, Marcos A., DDS, MS, Assoc. Prof., Operative Dentistry, S232 DSB, Ph. 5-7208.
  Areas of research: dental materials; composite resins; bonding agents.
• Vincent, Steven D., DDS, MS, Prof. and Head, Oral Pathology, Radiology & Medicine, S356 DSB, Ph. 5-9656.
  Areas of research: oral mucosal disease; candidiasis; recurrent herpes simplex infections; TMJ.
• Walker, Jerry D., DDS, MS, Prof. Emeritus, Pediatric Dentistry, S212-1 DSB, Ph. 5-7486.
  Areas of research: gingival disease in children; sports dentistry; smokeless tobacco use in athletes; patient management
• Walton, Richard E., DMD, MS, Prof., Endodontics, S 435 DSB, Ph. 5-7475.
  Areas of research: clinical endodontics; pain prevention & management; anesthesia; pulp/periapical pathosis; pulp responses; testing of endodontic materials and devices.
• Warren, John J., DDS, MS, Assoc. Professor, Preventive & Community Dentistry, N-337 DSB, Ph. 5-7205.
  Areas of research: epidemiology of dental caries and dental fluorosis; epidemiology of malocclusion, development of occlusion and the dental arches; dental caries and caries prevention in early childhood.
• Weber-Gasparoni, Karin, DDS, MS, PhD, Asst. Prof., Pediatric Dentistry, S204 DSB, Ph. 5-7478.
  Areas of research: Early dental interventions including early childhood caries; psychological theories of motivation; and public health issues affecting the health of patients with special health care needs, and infants, toddlers, and children of low- income, high risk populations.
• Wefel, James S., BS, PhD, Prof. & Director, Dows Institute and Pediatric Dentistry, N413 DSB, Ph. 5-7376.
  Areas of research: mechanisms of action of fluorides; fluoride releasing materials; remineralization; Ca phosphate crystal growth; prevention of root caries; lasers; dentine hypersensitivity; coronal caries; secondary caries.
• Wertz, Philip W., PhD, Prof., Dows Institute and Oral Pathology, Radiology & Medicine, N450 DSB, Ph. 5-7409.
  Areas of research: biochemistry; structures, function and metabolism of lipids in epidermis and oral epithelium.
• Williamson, Anne E., DDS, MS, Asst. Prof., Endodontics, S435 DSB, ph. 5-7471.
  Areas of research: endodontic microbiology; endodontic materials; clinical endodontic studies.