Hyuk-Jae (Edward) Kwon

Hyuk-Jae (Edward) Kwon

Hyuk-Jae (Edward) Kwon

Assistant Professor HS

Department of Oral Biology

School of Dental Medicine


Specialty/Research Focus

Oral Biology

Contact Information
547 Biomedical Research Building (BRB)
Buffalo, NY 14214-8024
Phone: 716-829-6301
Fax: 716-829-3942
hekwon@buffalo.edu



Professional Summary:

I am a new investigator with a unique background of a combination of dual doctoral degrees (a D.D.S. and a Ph.D. in Dental/Craniofacial Development). I recently completed the UB Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI) K Scholar Program.

My research activities focus on the genetic and epigenetic control of mammalian dental and craniofacial development and pathogenesis, with a specific emphasis on congenital dental anomalies and orofacial clefts. My lab uses developmental mouse genetics, experimental embryology, molecular biology, and genomic approaches to dissect the molecular mechanisms that control dental and craniofacial organogenesis. My research is currently supported by the NIH NCATS (UL1) and NIDCR (R03) and by Colgate-Palmolive (C.A.R.E. Award).

Education and Training:

  • Postdoctoral Fellow, Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children‘s Hospital Medical Center (2017)
  • PhD, Developmental Biology, Yonsei University Graduate School (2011)
  • DDS, Dentistry, Yonsei University College of Dentistry (2006)

Employment:

  • Research Fellow, Department of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children‘s Hospital Medical Center (2012–2017)
  • Teaching Assistant, Oral Biology, Yonsei University, College of Dentsitry, Korea, Republic Of (2006–2011)

Awards and Honors:

  • UB Clinical & Translational Science Institute (CTSI) K Scholar Program Award (5KL2TR0013-05) (2020)
  • 1st Place Poster Award, 5th Annual Craniofacial and Skin Sciences Research Symposium (2016)
  • 2nd Place Poster Award, 4th Annual Craniofacial and Skin Sciences Research Symposium Research Symposium (2015)
  • 2nd Place Poster Award, “Developmental Mechanisms, Organogenesis, and Stem Cells” Cincinnati Children‘s Hospital Medical Center Annual Retreat (2015)
  • Most Outstanding Student-Dentist Award, Yonsei University College of Dentistry, Seoul, Korea (2006)
  • ADA/Dentsply Student Clinician Research Program (SCADA) Travel Award (2004)
  • 1st Place Award, National Dental Student Research Award Competition of Korea (2003)

Research Expertise:

  • Dental and Craniofacial Developmental Biology: Studying the genetic basis and molecular mechanisms underlying dental and craniofacial development and disorders using molecular, genetic, and genomic approaches.

Grants and Sponsored Research:

  • December 2022–November 2023
    Colgate Award for Research Excellence (CARE)
    Colgate-Palmolive
    Role: Principal Investigator
    $39,000
  • August 2021–July 2023
    R03 NIH/NIDCR
    NIDCR
    Role: Principal Investigator
    $319,000
  • January 2022–December 2022
    UB CTSI Translational Pilot Studies Program Grant
    NIH/NCATS
    Role: Co-Investigator
    $46,500
  • July 2020–June 2022
    UB CTSA-Linked KL2 Mentored Career Development Award Program
    NIH/NCATS
    Role: Principal Investigator
    $220,000

Journal Articles:

See all (16 more)

Professional Memberships:

  • Society for Developmental Biology; Professional organization for developmental Biologists (2019)
  • American Society of Craniofacial Surgery (2016–present)
  • Society for Developmental Biology; SDB ID: 11572 (2014–2016)

Presentations:

  • "Epigenetic regulation of palate development" 15th World Congress of the International Cleft Lip and Palate Foundation (ICPF 2023), International Cleft Lip and Palate Foundation (ICPF), Basic Science Studies (2023)
  • "Epigenetic regulation of palate formation" 20th International Federation of Associations of Anatomists (IFAA 2022), International Federation of Associations of Anatomists (IFAA), “Craniofacial Development and Regeneration” Symposium (2022)
  • "A dentist-scientist's career path: Searching for a better treatment for dental diseases" Graduate and Professional Careers in Biomedical and Behavioral Sciences Forum., UB Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (2022)
  • "Understanding morphogenesis through tooth development" UB Biological Sciences Department Seminar (virtual), UB College of Arts and Sciences (Department of Biological Sciences) (2020)
  • "Tooth development: Understanding the odontogenic potential" Invited seminar, Yonsei University College of Dentistry [Brain Korea (BK) 21 and the Taste Research Center] (2019)
  • "Tooth morphogenesis: a model for understanding cell-cell signaling interaction during organogenesis" 18th Annual Meeting of the Korean Basic Dental Science Society Association (KBDSSA), Korean Basic Dental Science Society Association (KBDSSA) (2019)
  • "Tooth morphogenesis: Genetic interaction between Msx1 and Sostdc1 during mouse" Invited seminar, Pusan National University School of Dentistry (Dental and Life Science Institute) (2019)
  • "Using mouse developmental genetics to study tooth agenesis" Invited special lecture, Yonsei University College of Dentistry (Department of Orthodontics). (2019)
  • "Understanding dental development and birth defects using mice" AADR Buffalo Section Lunch and Learn Seminar Series, American Association of Dental Research, Buffalo section, American Association of Dental Research (2018)
  • "Using tooth development as a model for understanding signaling interactions between tissues during organogenesis" UB JSMB BCH Seminar Series, University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, UB JSMB Department of Biochemistry (2017)
  • "The Bmp4-Msx1 pathway controls early odontogenesis through regulation of expression of secreted Wnt antagonists" 5th Annual Craniofacial and Skin Sciences Research Symposium, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center (2016)
  • "Activin and Bmp4 signaling converge on Wnt pathway activation to drive tooth organogenesis" Seminar Series, Kyungpook National University, School of Dentistry (2015)
  • "Activin and Bmp4 signaling converge on Wnt pathway activation to drive tooth organogenesis" Seminar Series, Yonsei University, College of Dentistry (2015)
See all (3 more)

Service Activities:

  • Oral Biology, School of Dental Medicine Graduate Committee, Admissions; Alternate Member (2018–2020)
  • PPBS Admission Committee; Committee Member (2020–present)
  • PPBS Admission Committee; Alternate Member (2018–2020)
  • UB HR search committee member (Kirkwood lab); UB HR search committee member for position Research Technician II (Posting Number: R1800176) in Dr. Kirkwood‘s lab; Member (2018)
  • Oral Biology Research Equipment Purchase Committee; Oral Biology Shared Histology Research Equipment Purchase Committee; Member (2017–2020)

School News:

In the Media:


Clinical Specialties:

Clinical Offices:

Insurance Accepted:



Contact Information

547 Biomedical Research Building (BRB)
Buffalo, NY 14214-8024
Phone: 716-829-6301
Fax: 716-829-3942
hekwon@buffalo.edu