Professor of Empire Innovation, Director UB Microbiome Center
Microbiology; Oral Biology; Periodontics
My research program focuses on the oral microbiome. My laboratory uses clinical studies, genomics, computational biology and model systems to study the processes that lead to dysbiosis of the oral microbiome. Our goal is to understand community dynamics and develop tools to manipulate the microbiome thereby interfering with disease development. We are particularly interested in understanding the significance of the microbiome as a mediator of susceptibility to oral comorbidities of cancer treatment and as an essential trigger in periodontal disease. We also investigate the potential for the salivary microbiome to serve as a biomarker for oral and systemic conditions.