Biography

I am a clinical scientist with training in Periodontology. My NIH-funded research addresses clinical and translational questions related to the interactions between periodontal and kidney diseases. My epidemiological focus lies on the surveillance of chronic periodontitis in CKD populations as well as clinical questions related to the bidirectional relationship between the two chronic diseases. Throughout the last 8 years, I have developed a foundation and a community-based partnership, which facilitates clinical observational and interventional studies in End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) populations in several outpatient dialysis units in CT and MA. Our clinical and translational goal is to understand the effects of kidney failure in the oral environment.  More specifically, we are applying the polymicrobial synergy and dysbiosis model of periodontitis etiology to the CKD/ESRD populations, with urea as the missing link causing the shift from microbial symbiosis to dysbiosis in the subgingival ecosystem. Further, we are also focusing on the anti-inflammatory effect of periodontal interventions in ESRD patients on hemodialysis.

Recently, I developed a new line of research focusing on gender issues in academia and played a leading role in founding the IADR Women in Science Network. I serve dental education as a Tenured Associate Professor of Periodontology at UCONN Dental. Further, she has been the Director of the UCONN Dental Clinical Research Center for the last 5 years. During my tenure, the center has received institutional recognition for its productivity and economic organization. I have been actively publishing and lecturing nationally and internationally on my research.