Kirkwood Lab

Keith Kirkwood, DDS, PhD, is the senior associate dean for research at the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine and a member of the Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy Research Program at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center. He is a diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology and an internationally recognized clinician-scientist in oral biology and periodontal research.

Dr. Kirkwood earned his DDS from West Virginia University and completed his Certificate in Periodontology, PhD in Oral Biology, and postdoctoral fellowship in molecular biology at the University at Buffalo. He previously served as professor and founding chair of the Department of Oral Health Sciences at the Medical University of South Carolina College of Dental Medicine, where he was also  senior associate dean for research and director of the MUSC Center for Oral Health Research. Earlier in his career, he was a tenured associate professor at the University of Michigan.

His research program, supported by multiple NIH/NIDCR grants, focuses on immune signaling mechanisms underlying inflammatory periodontal bone loss and oral cancer progression. Dr. Kirkwood has received numerous honors for his scientific contributions, including the Tarrson Fellowship Career Development Award, the Sunstar Fellowship Research Award, the Distinguished Scientist Award from the International Association for Dental Research, and the IADR/GSK Innovation in Oral Care Award (twice).

Throughout his career, Dr. Kirkwood has been deeply committed to dental education and the development of clinician-scientists. He has led and participated in multiple NIH-supported training programs, mentoring dental and medical trainees pursuing combined clinical and PhD training. As a research dean at two dental schools, he has played a key role in advancing oral health research by strengthening research infrastructure and fostering interdisciplinary, translational science.

Our laboratory investigates the cellular and molecular mechanisms that regulate inflammation, immunity, and bone remodeling in oral and craniofacial diseases. We currently study how these pathways influence myeloid cell differentiation, including osteoclast progenitors and myeloid-derived suppressor cell (MDSC) subsets, and how dysregulation contributes to chronic periodontitis, metabolic dysfunction–associated bone loss, and aging-related skeletal decline. Our work also extends to the tumor microenvironment in oral squamous cell carcinoma, examining how tumor-associated macrophages, immunometabolic reprogramming, and inflammatory signaling promote tumor progression and regional invasion. Using a combination of immunology, molecular biology, microbiome analysis, and translational animal models, we aim to define therapeutic targets that modulate host inflammatory pathways. The overarching goal is to develop precision strategies that prevent destructive inflammation, preserve alveolar bone, and improve outcomes in both oral inflammatory diseases and oral cancer.

• Lixia Zhang, MD, MS
• Omar Glover, DMD
• Leticia Rojas, DDS, PhD
• Abhi Godthi, PhD
• Jade Green
• Julie Castle
• Jessica Yu

• Immunometabolic Regulation of Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells (MDSCs) in Periodontitis NIH/NIDCR R01 DE032310 (PI). This project investigates how metabolic pathways shape the differentiation and function of MDSCs within periodontal tissues. The goal is to define how immunometabolic dysfunction contributes to inflammatory bone loss and to identify potential metabolic targets for modulating host responses. 
• Tumor-Associated Macrophage Reprogramming in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Department of Defense CA200341 (PI) This study focuses on reprogramming tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) to improve anti-tumor immunity in oral cancer. The work aims to understand how the p38/MKP-1 signaling axis and related pathways influence macrophage plasticity within the tumor microenvironment and how these mechanisms can be therapeutically targeted. 
• Buffalo Oral-Research and Specialty Training Program (BORST) NIH/NIDCR K12 DE027827 (PI) This institutional career development program supports clinician–scientists pursuing research careers in oral biology and dental specialties. The project integrates structured mentoring, research training, and advanced education to build scientific workforce capacity in oral health research. 
• Topical Vitamin D for Prevention of Periodontal Disease NIH/NIDCR R01 DE02883-01A1 (Subcontract PI) This collaborative translational and mechanistic study evaluates the effectiveness of topical vitamin D as a host-modulation therapy for periodontal inflammation and bone loss. The project examines epithelial and immune pathways influenced by vitamin D in preventing disease progression. 
• Gnotobiotic Animal Research Facility – UB Microbiome Center NIH/OD C06 OD037771 (PI) This infrastructure project supports the development of a state-of-the-art gnotobiotic facility, enabling mechanistic studies on host–microbiome interactions. The facility will allow controlled manipulation of microbial communities to study oral–gut axis mechanisms and microbiome-driven inflammation. 
• Post-Transcriptional Control of Aging-Associated Inflammation and Bone Homeostasis NIH/NIDCR R01 DE028258 (PI) This research explores how RNA-binding proteins—particularly tristetraprolin (TTP)—regulate inflammation and osteoclastogenesis during aging. The project aims to define how post-transcriptional mechanisms contribute to inflammaging and skeletal fragility, and to identify potential therapeutic

Location: 645 Biomedical Research Building
Laboratory Phone Number: 716-829-6014