How to Find a Faculty Mentor

There are several ways to find a research mentor. For example, you could begin the search by talking with the instructor of a course that you enjoy and that includes topics that may be of interest to you for a research project. 

Tips for Finding a Mentor

  • Research mentors encourage students to come with their own ideas, even if those ideas are not suitable for an initial research experience. By expressing your own ideas, you demonstrate that you are taking some responsibility for your research.
  • Read a recent article by your potential mentor, so that you have a better understanding of the focus of their research.
  • Send your current resume to a potential mentor when you are asking for an appointment to talk with them about research.

Meet the Mentors

aksel.

Hacer Aksel, DDS, PhD
Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Periodontics and Endodontics
 240 Squire Hall
Phone: (716) 829-3847
Email: haceraks@buffalo.edu

Research Focus: Regenerative endodontic treatment protocols; Vital pulp therapy; Root canal disinfection; Endodontic sealers

Thikriat Al-Jewair.

Thikriat Al-Jewair, DDS, MSc, MS, FRCD(C)
Associate Professor and Chair, Department of Orthodontics
140 Squire Hall
Phone: (716) 829-6190
Email: thikriat@buffalo.edu

Research Focus: Orthodontic treatment outcomes; Adult and pediatric sleep-disordered breathing; Artificial intelligence in orthodontics; Evidence-based dentistry/orthodontics

Praveen Arany.

Praveen Arany, DDS, PhD
Associate Professor, Department of Oral Biology
 553 BRB
Phone: (716) 829-3479
Email: prarany@buffalo.edu

Research Focus: Clinical translational research; Lasers; Biophotonics; TGF beta signaling; Wound healing; Smart biomaterials

diaz.

Patricia I. Diaz, DDS, PhD
 Professor of Empire Innovation; Director, UB Microbiome Center; Department of Oral Biology
621 BRB
Phone: (716) 829-5822
Email: pidiazmo@buffalo.edu

Research Focus: Oral microbiome; Inter-species interactions; Periodontitis; Cancer chemotherapy; Oral mucositis; Candidiasis; Bacteria-Candida interactions; Bioinformatics

frustino.

Jennifer Frustino, DDS, PhD 
 Director of Oncology Research
 462 Grider St.
Buffalo, NY 14215
Phone: (716) 898-1461
Email: frustino@buffalo.edu

Research Focus: Oncology clinical trials; HPV and HIV co-infection; Photobiomodulation therapy; Oral potentially malignant disorders

Laertis Ikonomou.

Laertis Ikonomou, PhD
Associate Professor, Department of Oral Biology
619 BRB
Phone: (716) 829-6206
Email: laertisi@buffalo.edu

Research Focus: Bioethics of cell and gene therapies; Developmental biology; Pluripotent stem cell biology; Regenerative medicine

Kathryn Kauffman.

Kathryn Kauffman, PhD
Assistant Professor, Department of Oral Biology
 617 BRB
Phone: (716) 829-5830
Email: kmkauffm@buffalo.edu

Research Focus: Microbiome; Bacteriophages; Ecology

kirkwood.

Keith L. Kirkwood, DDS, PhD
 Senior Associate Dean for Research; Professor, Department of Oral Biology
 645 BRB
Phone: (716) 829-6667
Email: klkirk@buffalo.edu

Research Focus: Myeloid cell biology; Periodontal disease; Cancer progression

kramer.

Jill Kramer, DDS, PhD
 Associate Professor, Department of Oral Biology 
 517 BRB
Phone: (716) 829-2551
Email: jkramer@buffalo.edu

Research Focus: Sjogren’s disease; Immunology; Mouse models; Toll-like receptors

Li.

Rui Li, DDS, PhD
 Assistant Professor, Director of International Dentist Program, Department of Restorative Dentistry
 235 Squire Hall
Phone: (716) 829-5078
Email: rli7@buffalo.edu

Research Focus: Digital dentistry; Dental materials; Antifungal treatment

markiewicz.

Michael R. Markiewicz, DDS, MD, MPH, FACS
 Professor, Chair, and Associate Dean for Hospital Affairs, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
 112 Squire Hall
Phone: ‭(716) 829-5425
Email: mrm25@buffalo.edu

Research Focus: Head and neck cancer; Microvascular surgery; Facial trauma and reconstruction; Skull base surgery; Pediatric cleft and craniofacial surgery

Rubelisa Oliveira.

Rubelisa Oliveira, DDS, MS, PhD
Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Periodontics and Endodontics
250 Squire Hall
Phone: (716) 829-3845
Email: rubelisa@buffalo.edu

Research Focus: Oral health; Public health; Health disparities; Health equity; Epidemiology

lucila.

Lucila Piasecki, DDS, BDS, MS, PhD
Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Periodontics and Endodontics
 240D Squire Hall
Phone: (716) 829-6197
Email: lucilapi@buffalo.edu

Research Focus: Endodontics; Tooth apex; Endodontic instruments; MicroCT; CBCT; Tooth anatomy

Ruhl.

Stefan Ruhl, DDS, PhD
Professor, Department of Oral Biology
649 BRB
Phone: (716) 829-6073
Email: shruhl@buffalo.edu

Research Focus: Saliva; Salivary proteins; Microbial adhesion; Biomaterials; Evolution of saliva

camila.

Camila Sabatini, DDS, PhD 
 Associate Professor, Department of Restorative Dentistry
 215H Squire Hall
Phone: (716) 829-6343
Email: cs252@buffalo.edu

Research Focus: Bioactive restorative materials; Antibacterial resins; Regenerative medicine; Therapies for pulp-dentin repair

frank.

Frank A. Scannapieco, DDS, PhD
 SUNY Distinguished Professor, Department of Oral Biology
 353 BRB
Phone: (716) 829-3373
Email: fas1@buffalo.edu

visser.

Michelle Visser, PhD
 Associate Professor, Department of Oral Biology
513 BRB
Phone: (716) 829-3943
Email: mbvisser@buffalo.edu

Research Focus: Microbiology; Immunology; Innate; Periodontitis; Systemic disease; Scaffold; Tissue healing

Ding Xu.

Ding Xu, PhD
Associate Professor, Department of Oral Biology
655 BRB
Phone: (716) 829-3509
Email: dingxu@buffalo.edu

Research Focus: Bone biology; Inflammation; Craniofacial biology; Biochemistry; Structural biology