Research Bio
Our research is focused on the molecular mechanisms involved in the colonization of surfaces by microorganisms. We are particularly interested in a group of enzymes, the glucosyltransferases, formed by oral streptococci, and which form glucan from sucrose. These enzymes have distinct properties on surfaces compared with those observed when the enzymes are in solution. For example, glucan with a distinct structure may be formed on a surface compared with the product formed by the same enzyme in solution. Thus highly specific binding sites for bacteria may be formed on a surface.
In addition, we are exploring the influence of low molecular weight oligosaccharides on the formation of glucan by glucosyltransferases. The use of food preservatives has increased enormously over the past several decades. They behave chemically in many respects much like fluoride. We are also exploring the influence of common food preservatives on the development of caries.
| Lifetime Achievement in Mentoring Award, University of Rochester |
2006 |
| Honorary Member of American Dental Association |
2004 |
| Council on Scientific Affairs, American Dental Association |
2001 - 2003 |
| American Dental Association Gold Medal for Research |
2000 |
| E.W. Borrow Memorial Award, International Association for Dental Research |
1999 |
| Honorary M.D., Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland |
1999 |
| Arthur Kornberg Research Award, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester Institute of Biomedical Sciences |
1998 |
| Swedish Patent Fund and Medical Research Council Award |
1997 |
| Member, Institute of Medicine, National Academy of Sciences |
1997 |
| Doctor of Medicine honoris causa, The National University of Ireland |
1995 |
| Wellcome Visiting Professor in the Microbiological Sciences, University of Maryland |
1993 - 1994 |
| Doctor Odontologiae honoris causa, University of Umeå, Sweden |
1993 |
| Presidential Citation, American Dental Association, for significant contributions to the oral health of the public and to the profession of dentistry |
1992 |
| Member, Selection Committee, American Dental Association Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Dental Research |
1991 |
| Doctor Odontologiae honoris causa, University of Oslo, Norway |
1991 |
| Advisory Board, Archives of Oral Biology |
1990 - Present |
| Fred Birnberg Alumni Award for Distinguished Dental Research, Columbia University, School of Dental and Oral Surgery, New York, NY |
1990 |
| Visiting Professorship in Nutrition, National Dairy Council |
1989 |
| Corresponding Referee, Medical Research Council in the Republic of South Africa (Oral Microbiology/Immunology) |
1987 |
| Who's Who in Technology Today |
1986 |
| Who's Who in Science |
1986 |
| Who's Who in America |
1986 |
| American Men and Women of Science |
1985 |
| Elected Fellow of American Association for Advancement of Science |
1985 |
| Who's Who in Frontiers of Science and Technology |
1984 - 1985 |
| Senior Executive Service Award for Excellence, Department of Health and Human Services |
1982 |
| International Association for Dental Research, Cariology Award |
1981 |
| Merit Award for Outstanding Service, NIH |
1981 |
| Editorial Board, Infection and Immunity |
1980 - 1987 |
| Keynote Speaker at James English Symposium, State University of New York at Buffalo, New York |
1980 |
| Honorary D.D.Sc., University of Göteborg |
1980 |
| European Organization for Caries Research Prize |
1977 |
| President, Cariology Group, International Association for Dental Research |
1977 |
| External Examiner for Ph.D., University of Oslo, Norway (also 1980, 1986, 1990, 1993, 1996) |
1977 |
| Elected Fellow of Royal College of Surgeons of England |
1974 |
| Dental Consultant, Pan American Health Organization |
1972 |
| Consultant to Dental Health Foundation, American Dental Association |
1972 |
| Consultant to Dental Health Foundation, American Dental Association |
1972 |
| Scientific Counsellor to ORCA |
1971 |
| Editorial Advisor to Journal of Dental Research |
1971 |
| Member of Scientific Board of Paradontologie |
1971 |
| Member of the Committee of the Comparative Medical Section of the Royal College of Medicine |
1971 |
| Postgraduate Lecturer, University of London |
1970 |
| Served on the Ministry of Health (UK) Panel on Cariogenic Foods (B.D.J. 126: 273) |
1969 |
| John Tomes Prize, Royal College of Surgeons, England |
1965 |
| Elected Fellow of Faculty of Dentistry, Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland |
1965 |
| Federation Dentaire Internationale Prize |
1964 |
| Colgate-Palmolive Prize, British Division of IADR |
1963 |
