CONTACT INFORMATIONCREDENTIALSAWARDSPUBLICATIONSCatherine E. Ovitt, Ph.D.Contact InformationPhone NumbersOffice: (585) 275-2920Fax: (585) 276-0190Research LabsVisit Lab WebsiteLocationsUniversity of Rochester Medical CenterSchool of Medicine and Dentistry601 Elmwood Ave, Box 611Rochester, NY 14642Faculty AppointmentsProfessor - Department of Biomedical Genetics (SMD) Interim Director, Oral & Craniofacial Biology - Department of Dentistry (SMD) Professor - Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (SMD) - JointBiographyResearchNormal function of the salivary glands is critical for the maintenance of oral health. Radiation treatment of patients with head and neck cancers, as well as autoimmune diseases such as Sjögren's syndrome cause cellular damage in the salivary glands that is usually severe, irreversible, and impairs normal function. The long-range goal of this laboratory is to establish therapeutic strategies for repair or regeneration of the salivary glands. Basic research projects in our laboratory include the identification and characterization of progenitor cells involved in salivary gland development and regeneration, and the factors required for differentiation of secretory cells. Applied projects address strategies for protection of the salivary glands from radiation-induced damage, and for promoting regeneration of damaged glands.CredentialsEducation1977BS | University of ConnecticutArts & Sciences1987PhD | Washington UniversityMolecular BiologyPost-doctoral Training & Residency1987 - 1997Postdoctoral Fellow, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg, GermanyAwards2016Elected "Salivary Gland Researcher of the Year"Sponsor: IADR Salivary Gland Research Group2016International Association of Dental Research Innovation in Oral Care AwardSponsor: International Association of Dental Research1987 - 1990Postdoctoral Fellowship AwardSponsor: Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, GermanyVIEW ALL expand_morePublicationsJournal Articles3/30/2022Song Y, Uchida H, Sharipol A, Piraino L, Mereness JA, Ingalls MH, Rebhahn J, Newlands SD, DeLouise LA, Ovitt CE, Benoit DSW. "Author Correction: Development of a functional salivary gland tissue chip with potential for high-content drug screening." Communications biology.. 2022 Mar 30; 5(1):315. Epub 2022 Mar 30. 1/6/2022Song Y, Sharipol A, Uchida H, Ingalls MH, Piraino L, Mereness JA, Moyston T, DeLouise LA, Ovitt CE, Benoit DSW. "Encapsulation of Primary Salivary Gland Acinar Cell Clusters and Intercalated Ducts (AIDUCs) within Matrix Metalloproteinase (MMP)-Degradable Hydrogels to Maintain Tissue Structure and Function." Advanced healthcare materials.. 2022 Jan 6; :e2101948. Epub 2022 Jan 06. 6/14/2021Uchida H, Ovitt CE. "Novel impacts of saliva with regard to oral health." The Journal of prosthetic dentistry.. 2021 Jun 14; Epub 2021 Jun 14. VIEW ALL PUBLICATIONSClose WindowSchedule an appointment with Catherine E. Ovitt, Ph.D.Please answer the following questions to help us find the right appointment for you.Important: If you believe that you have a medical or psychiatric emergency, please call 911 or go to the nearest hospital. This website is not intended for emergency care.Have you seen this provider in the last 2 years?YesNoExisting Patient Schedule or request a follow up appointment online through MyChart. If you do not have a MyChart account, please close this window and call the appointment phone number. Catherine E. Ovitt, Ph.D. is currently scheduling for the following appointment type(s): Our policy does not permit patients to establish care with multiple providers within the same practice or specialty without prior approval. If you choose a new provider in the same office, we will cancel the appointment. Please contact the office directly with questions on this policy.