Find a Faculty Mentor

Many faculty members participate in the Student Research Program. Their research interests include all areas of the basic sciences and dental clinical sciences. Students are encouraged to contact these faculty members to pursue specific projects.

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

Ruhl.

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

covell.

David Covell, DDS, PhD
Professor & L.B. Badgero Endowed Chair, Department of Orthodontics
140 Squire Hall
Phone: (716) 829-6192
Email: dacovell@buffalo.edu

aksel.

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

lucila.

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

diaz.

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

visser.

Michelle Visser, PhD
Associate Professor, Department of Oral Biology
320A Foster Hall 
Phone: (716) 829-3943
Email: mbvisser@buffalo.edu

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

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

frustino.

Jennifer Frustino, DDS, PhD 
Director of Oral Cancer Screening & Diagnostics
462 Grider St,
Buffalo, NY 14215
Phone: (716) 898-1461
Email: frustino@buffalo.edu

mukund.

Mukund Seshadri, DDS, PhD 
Associate Professor of Oncology, Departments of Pharmacology/Therapeutics, Head and Neck Surgery
Phone: (716) 845-1552
Email: mukund.seshadri@roswellpark.org

camila.

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

frank.

Frank A. Scannapieco, DDS, PhD
Chair and SUNY Distinguished Professor of Oral Biology, Associate Dean for Faculty and Professional Development
109 Foster Hall
Phone: (716) 829-3373
Email: fas1@buffalo.edu

schifferle.

Robert E. Schifferle DDS, MMSc, PhD
Professor, Department of Periodontics And Endodontics
318 Foster Hall
Phone: (716) 829-2013
Email: res@buffalo.edu

kramer.

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

kirkwood.

Keith L. Kirkwood, DDS, PhD
Senior Associate Dean for Research and Professor, Department of Oral Biology
327A Squire Hall | 645 BRB
Phone: (716) 829-6667
Email: klkirk@buffalo.edu