Research

The Department of Oral and Craniofacial Sciences

Thomas Diekwisch, DMD, PhD, PhD Chair, Department of Oral and Craniofacial Science

This is a multidisciplinary research department in the Eastman Institute for Oral Health at the University of Rochester. Research in the Department highlights the oral cavity as an entryway to the human body and the craniofacial region as a principal organ for sensation, expression, and protection.

Research topics range from clinical research projects in the clinical specialty departments at the Eastman Institute for Oral Health and in the greater Rochester dental community to classic University of Rochester oral microbiology and salivary research, to oral pain and to translational and basic research topics interfacing with the University of Rochester School of Medicine research laboratories.

Currently, the Department is home to five major research laboratories.

The Kopycka-Kedzierawski group focuses on the interface between dental clinicians and applied research. Research in this group is built around dental practice-based networks.

The Xiao laboratory is home to a broad range of research projects involved in oral microbiology and salivary research.

The Eliav laboratory works on oral pain and temporomandibular joint disorders.

The Luan laboratory specializes on dental stem cells and materials design for orofacial tissue regeneration as well as small molecules and microRNAs.

The Diekwisch laboratory focuses on a broad range of research topics from tooth enamel and periodontal research to chromatin and histone methylation and to evolutionary biology.

Oral and craniofacial research is arguably one of the most exciting and important areas of research as it highlights the beauty, complex interactions and essential function of the many cells and tissues that contribute to the human teeth, mouth and head.

EIOH Clinical and Translational Research Core

Dorota Kopycka-Kedzierawski, DDS, MPH, Director, Clinical & Translational Research Core

The overall mission of the EIOH Clinical and Translational Research Core (EIOH CTRC) is to empower and engage EIOH faculty and residents to participate in clinical and translational research projects, to assist EIOH faculty and residents in the process of the applying for government, commercial and foundation grants and to develop a supportive research environment. The EIOH Clinical and Translational Research Core’s vision is to facilitate clinical and translational research opportunities for EIOH faculty, residents and staff.

The EIOH CTRC is to be considered as a resource to EIOH faculty and residents in relation to the clinical and translational research activities, including sponsored projects and grants, by means of facilitating clinical and translational research, identifying and allocating resources, assisting the faculty and residents with their research undertakings and sustaining, and strengthening linkages with the URMC CTSI. Maintaining a conducive research team culture and creating a structure with appropriate oversight authority will play an important role in a positive, bi-directional interaction of the EIOH CTRC personnel with the EIOH faculty, residents and staff.