Faculty

The University of Rochester has trained dentists and other qualified individuals for academic careers in research related to oral health and disease for the past 100 years. The Center for Oral Biology is an integral component of a major research university and collaborates closely with other University departments and centers in all areas of oral science research. The quality of this research has been rewarded by extensive support from federal and industrial sources. All of the faculty in the Center for Oral Biology have academic appointments in basic science and/or clinical departments. In addition, faculty from other departments and centers who have a specific interest in oral sciences have joint appointments in the Center for Oral Biology and actively participate in collaborative research and in the teaching of didactic courses. It is these strong ties that enable research to extend far beyond the Center's own 22,000 square feet of well-equipped laboratory space.

Primary Faculty

Quivey, Robert G.

Director, Center for Oral Biology;
Professor of Microbiology & Immunology in the Center for Oral Biology
Bacterial Physiology and Genetics;
Molecular Biology of Acid-Adaptation in Streptococcus mutans, an Oral Pathogen
Contact Robert | Robert G. Quivey Profile

Ovitt, Catherine

Professor of Biomedical Genetics in the Center for Oral Biology; Professor of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine
Application of Mouse Genetics to the Analysis of Genes Involved in Salivary Gland Function
Contact Catherine | Ovitt, Catherine Profile | Ovitt Lab website

Joint Faculty

Benoit, Danielle

Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering;
Professor in the Center for Oral Biology;
Professor in the Department of Orthopaedics, Center for Musculoskeletal Research
Synthetic hydrogels with tunable degradation and mechanical properties as a synthetic extracellular matrix analogue for the culture and delivery of cells for regenerative medicine approaches and polymers formed using reversible-addition fragmentation chain transfer polymerization (RAFT), a controlled, living polymerization strategy, designed with drug delivery applications in mind.
Benoit Lab Website | Benoit, Danielle Profile

Eliav, Eli

Director, Department of Eastman Institute for Oral Health;
Vice Dean for Oral Health;
Chair, Department of Dentistry;
Professor in the Department of Dentistry;
Professor in the Center for Oral Biology
The Orofacial Pain lab in the Center for Oral Biology is focusing on nerve injury related pains, pain modulation and its clinical application.
Eliav Lab Website | Eliav, Eli Profile

Khan, Junad

Associate Professor of Dentistry;
Associate Professor in the Center for Oral Biology
Nerve injury related pains, pain modulation and its clinical application. Mechanisms associated with Exercise induced hypoalgesia (EIH) and focusing on the opioid and cannabinoid system and the role of systemic and localized inflammation on the phenomenon.   In addition, research also focuses on the use of EIH in support of targeted and prophylactic treatment for patients at risk to develop post surgical neuropathic pain.
Eliav Lab website | Khan, Junad Profile

Kopycka-Kedzierawski, Dorota

Professor of Dentistry;
Professor in the Center for Oral Biology
Oral disease distribution and control, the study of cavities and their causes, and teledentistry - the use of communications technology for dental care.
Kopycka-Kedzierawski, Dorota Profile

Rivera-Ramos, Isamar

Assistant Professor of Dentistry;
Assistant Professor in the Center for Oral Biology
Rivera-Ramos, Isamar Profile

Watson, Gene

Professor of Dentistry;
Professor in the Center for Oral Biology
Performs research on dry mouth, cavities, and the positive and negative effects of dental drugs.
Watson, Gene Profile

Xiao, Jin

Associate Professor of Dentistry;
Associate Professor in the Center for Oral Biology
Virulence and three-dimensional structural/functional remodeling of oral and peri-implant multispecies biofilms.
Pathological role of Candida albicans in the onset and progression of early childhood caries.
Xiao, Jin Profile

Yule, David

Professor of Pharmacology and Physiology;
Professor of Medicine;
Professor in the Center for Oral Biology;
Mechanisms underlying Ca2+ signaling events in exocrine cells
Yule Lab Website | Yule, David Profile