My research program has been focused on innate immune signaling and cytokine biology as it relates to inflammation, bone loss, and oral cancer progression. My translational research explores the roles of posttranscriptional cytokine regulation in oral inflammation with the ultimate possibilities of developing novel therapies to control chronic oral inflammation.
Education and Training:
Fellowship, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Buffalo (1999)
PhD, University of Buffalo, Dentist Scientist Award (1997)
Cert, University of Buffalo (1997)
DDS, West Virginia University (1991)
BA, West Virginia University, Freshman Chemistry Award, Mary Baab Randolph Student Research Fellowship, (1987)
Employment:
Professor, Oral Biology, University at Buffalo (2017-present)
Professor, Oral Health Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, College of Dental Medicine (2008–2017)
Associate Professor, Periodontics and Oral Medicine, University of Michigan, School of Dentistry (2003–2008)
Research Assistant Professor, Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Buffalo (2002–2003)
Assistant Professor, Periodontics And Endodontics, University of Buffalo (2000–2003)
Clinical Assistant Professor, Oral Biology, University of Buffalo (1997–2003)
Clinical Assistant Professor, Periodontics And Endodontics, University of Buffalo (1997–2000)
Post Doctoral Fellow, Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Buffalo (1997–1999)
Clinical Instructor, Periodontics And Endodontics, University of Buffalo (1995–1997)
Awards and Honors:
Innovative approaches to prevention and non-surgical treatment of periodontal and peri-implant diseases (2018)
Sunstar - AAP Foundation Research Fellowship (2016)
Fellow of the AADR (2016)
IADR/GSK Innovation in Oral Care Award (2014)
IADR Distinguished Scientist Award for Pharmacology/Therapeutics/Toxicology Research (2013)
IADR/GSK Innovation in Oral Care Award (2008)
Tarrson Fellowship Career Development Award (2005)
Young Investigator Award (2002)
Osseointegration Foundation Research Grant Award (2000)
Student Clinician Award (1990)
Quintessence Research Award (1990)
Dentist- Scientist Award
Mark Diamond Research Award
Individual National Research Service Award
Mary Baab Randolph Student Research Fellowship
Freshman Chemistry Award
American Dental Association Student Clinician Program
Research Expertise:
Oral Biology: Cytokine gene regulation in bone with identification of novel therapeutics targets and applied nolecular pharmacology targeting signaling mechanisms for therapeutic purposes in inflammatory bone diseases.
Grants and Sponsored Research:
October 2018–September 2023 Post-Transcriptional Control of Aging-Associated Inflammation and Bone Homeostasis NIH NIDCR Role: Principal Investigator $1,250,000
September 2018–August 2023 Buffalo Oral-Research and Specialty Training Program (BORST) national Institutes of Health Role: Co-Investigator $1,391,170
September 2018–August 2023 Post-Transcriptional Control of Aging-Associated Inflammation and Bone Homeostasis national Institutes of Health Role: Principal Investigator $1,250,000
April 2018–March 2023 Acid Sphingomyelinase as a Target in Metabolic Syndrome Exacerbated Periodontitis national Institutes of Health Role: Co-Investigator $47,964
May 2018–October 2020 Metabolic Reprogramming of Myeloid-derived Suppressor Cells in Post-Traumatic Osteoarthritis Department of Defense Role: Principal Investigator $319,000
August 2018–July 2020 Sexual Dimorphism of Innate Immunity in Periodontitis through MKP-1 Signaling national Institutes of Health Role: Principal Investigator $438,625
Koria P, Brazeau D, Kirkwood K, Hayden P, Klausner M, Andreadis ST. Gene expression profile of tissue engineered skin subjected to acute barrier disruption. J Invest Dermatol. 2003; 121(2).
Bradford PG, Maglich JM, Ponticelli AS, Kirkwood KL. The effect of bone morphogenetic protein-7 on the expression of type I inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor in G-292 osteosarcoma cells and primary osteoblast cultures.. Arch Oral Biol. 2000; 45(2).
Bradford PG, Maglich JM, Kirkwood KL. IL-1 beta increases type 1 inositol trisphosphate receptor expression and IL-6 secretory capacity in osteoblastic cell cultures.. Mol Cell Biol Res Commun. 2000; 3(2).
Kirkwood KL, Golub LM, Bradford PG. Non-antimicrobial and antimicrobial tetracyclines inhibit IL-6 expression in murine osteoblasts.. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 1999; 878.
Kirkwood KL, Homick K, Dragon MB, Bradford PG. Cloning and characterization of the type I inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor gene promoter. Regulation by 17beta-estradiol in osteoblasts.. J Biol Chem. 1997; 272(36).
Strobl JS, Kirkwood KL, Lantz TK, Lewine MA, Peterson VA, Worley JF. Inhibition of human breast cancer cell proliferation in tissue culture by the neuroleptic agents pimozide and thioridazine.. Cancer Res. 1990; 50(17).
Ruddy M, Kirkwood KL, Gaffen S. IL-17 synergizes with TNF but not Toll-like receptors to induce inflammatory cytokines in osteoblasts.. Manuscript in Preparation..