Institute Eastman Initiates Pioneering Phase in Research Endeavors
New Chair of Department of Oral and Craniofacial Sciences Appointed at University of Rochester Medical Center
Thomas Diekwisch has been named the founding chair of the Department of Oral and Craniofacial Sciences at the University of Rochester Medical Center. With his extensive background in various fields of science, Diekwisch is set to lead the development of oral health-related research and education in this newly established department.
Diekwisch previously served as director for the Center for Craniofacial Research and Diagnosis and Head of the Department of Periodontics at Texas A&M University's College of Dentistry. In 2017, he was appointed the first Bernhard Gottlieb Endowed Chair in Craniofacial Research. Prior to his appointment at the University of Rochester, Diekwisch served as director of the Brodie Laboratory for Craniofacial Genetics and held the Allan G. Brodie Endowed Chair at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry.
Dr. Diekwisch's research interests include periodontics, stem cells and tissue engineering, chromatin, epigenetics, and microRNAs, craniofacial development, enamel formation and evolution, and the history of science. He is the principal investigator of three federally funded grants totaling $4.7 million and has secured a total of $13.3 million in grants over the last 20 years.
Dr. Xianghong Luan, a professor at Texas A&M College of Dentistry since 2019, will be Diekwisch's first faculty recruit at the University of Rochester. Luan's research focuses on microRNAs and small molecule microenvironment design for the regeneration of periodontal and craniofacial tissues. Her grants total $3.8 million.
The Department of Oral and Craniofacial Sciences faculty conduct basic and applied research and are a part of interdisciplinary research teams. These teams integrate aspects of biochemistry, developmental biology, genetics, immunology, microbiology, physiology, pharmacology, dentistry, medicine, dermatology, and structural biology to explore important problems of craniofacial, dental, and oral biology.
Diekwisch appreciates the shared focus on training the next generation of clinician-scientists and leaders in dental research and education among Drs. Eliav, Taubman, and Dewhurst at the University of Rochester. He becomes the Margaret and Cy Welcher Professor in Dental Research.
Diekwisch is looking forward to working with a group of faculty and scientists all dedicated to studying the interface between oral-craniofacial biology, medical, and dental-clinical sciences. This focus has been the very reason for him to move to the United States more than 30 years ago, and it has remained the focus of his work throughout his career.
As the department continues to grow, Diekwisch will play an integral role in supporting graduate and postgraduate education, and develop a Ph.D. track in oral biology. With the addition of Dr. Luan and other talented researchers, the Department of Oral and Craniofacial Sciences is poised to make significant strides in the field of oral and craniofacial research and education.
