ADASRI

Francisco Nociti, DDS, MS, PhD
Senior director, Department of Innovation & Technology Research
Contact Dr. Nociti

Dr. Francisco Nociti’s special research focus is in mineralized tissue pathophysiology. Currently, he is interested in applying a combination of laser capture and microproteomic approaches with in vivo mouse models to identify key proteins for new cementum formation and homeostasis. He also has interests in other mineralized tissues, including bone, dentin, and enamel, as well as the role of PDL in protecting against ectopic calcification under extreme pro-mineralization states.

(The following profiles are listed alphabetically.)

Cicely Acosta, MPA
Manager, grant operations
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Cicely Acosta supports ADASRI staff with identifying grant opportunities from private and public sector funders. In addition, she manages pre- and post-award activities and operations. Cicely's areas of interest include business operations, research funding, grants administration, grantsmanship, and grants compliance.

Arefin Alam, BDS, PhD
Postdoctoral research assistant
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Dr. Arefin Alam studies the mechanical and micromorphological characterization of dental materials and hard tissues. Dr. Alam's areas of interest include operative dentistry, polymer-based dental materials, antimicrobial materials, dentin, micro-bond strength testing, nanoindentation testing, spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

Kevin Matthew Byrd, DDS, PhD
Anthony R. Volpe Research Scholar; senior manager, Lab of Oral and Craniofacial Innovation (LOCI)
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Dr. Kevin Byrd is a clinician-scientist, currently serving as ADASRI's founding Anthony R. Volpe Research Scholar, a position supported by a five-year grant from Colgate-Palmolive; he also serves as the manager of oral and craniofacial research. Dr. Byrd’s active research program is focused on understanding 1) oral epithelial cell heterogeneity and how these diverse cell subpopulations regulate—and are regulated—to cause disease and 2) the role of the oral cavity in systemic inflammatory diseases. To answer these questions, his lab uses 2-D/3-D human and mouse epithelial model systems, flow cytometry/cell sorting, advanced microscopy techniques, and single-cell/spatial omics. Dr. Byrd's areas of interest include stem cell biology, mucosal immunology, single-cell omics, virology, and oral-systemic interactions.

Dr. Laurence Chow studies calcium phosphate chemistry, calcium phosphate-based bone graft materials, and tooth remineralization. As an emeritus scientist, he actively collaborates with younger researchers within and outside of the ADASRI. His areas of interest include desensitization and remineralization, bone and dental cements, dosimetry, preventive dentistry, and nano-bioactive materials.

Philip Dowd, PhD
Director, innovation and research administration
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Dr. Philip Dowd connects industry and investors with ADASRI innovations, translating them into the marketplace for the development of new products and services that benefit the public good and foster economic growth. He can be contacted to help identify technologies and research of interest and provide guidance through the processes of licensing and sponsoring (collaborative) research. Philip's areas of interest include business operations, intellectual property, translational research, technology licensing, and technology partnerships.

Rupak Dua, Ph.D.
Director, Polymer and Material Science Research Department of Innovation and Technology Research
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LinkedIn, Twitter, Google Scholar, Orcid

Dr. Rupak Dua leads the day-to-day polymer and materials research activities of the ADASRI Innovation & Technology Research laboratories. In addition to leading the identification and screening of opportunities for emerging research that falls within the organizational mission and priority areas, Dr. Dua strategically maps key research areas and advocates R&D opportunities. Further, Dr. Dua is the communications liaison with external partners in academia and industry and serves as a supervisor and mentor to promising new researchers focused on polymer and materials research. Dr. Dua's areas of interest include tissue engineering, restorative materials, antimicrobial materials, orthopedic and dental implants, additive manufacturing, and biomimetic materials.

Dr. Quinn Easter conducts research at the Lab of Oral and Craniofacial Innovation (LOCI) in Gaithersburg, Maryland. He studies oral epithelial heterogeneity using single-cell mRNA sequencing and is broadly interested in oral-systemic health. Dr. Easter's areas of interest include restorative materials, pharmacology and therapeutics, single-cell omics, and microscopy.

Stanislav Frukhtbeyn
Senior research associate
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Stanislav Frukhtbeyn studies novel bioactive composite materials for dental and bone restorations. His areas of interest include restorative materials, desensitization and remineralization, antimicrobial materials, and bone and dental cements.

Anthony Giuseppetti
Manager, facilities
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Anthony Giuseppetti studies novel antimicrobial monomers that increase the shear bond strength of dental restorations. His areas of interest include restorative materials, endodontic materials, desensitization and remineralization, antimicrobial materials, bone and dental cements, and SEM and Instron use.

Eaman Karim, PhD
Senior scientist
Contact Dr. Karim
Google Scholar, National Center for Biotechnology Information bibliography, Orcid

Dr. Eaman Karim studies the ionizing radiation-induced electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) properties of carbonated hydroxyapatite cements and assesses the feasibility of using these materials as EPR calibration references and, potentially, as dosimeters. Her areas of interest include EPR dosimetry, endodontic materials, hydroxyapatite composites, biocompatibility materials, and 3-D printing technology.

Fereshteh Mallakpour, PhD
Postdoctoral research assistant
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Dr. Fereshteh Mallakpour studies the synthesis, surface modification, and mechanical characterization of biomedical materials. Her research areas of interest include restorative materials, bone and dental cements, and dosimetry.

Bruno Matuck, DDS, MSc, PhD
Postdoctoral research assistant, Lab of Oral and Craniofacial Innovation (LOCI)
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Dr. Bruno Matuck conducts research at the Lab of Oral and Craniofacial Innovation (LOCI) in Gaithersburg, Maryland. He studies oral pathology and autopsy pathology. Dr. Matuck's areas of interest include salivary gland diseases, virology, and organoids.

Shozo Takagi, PhD
Emeritus scientist
Contact Dr. Takagi
Google Scholar, National Center for Biotechnology Information bibliography

Dr. Shozo Takagi examines calcium phosphate chemistry and its application in biomineralization, including in vitro and in vivo properties of self-hardening calcium phosphate cement (CPC) and 3-D printing of CPC-polymer composites, endodontic materials, development of CPC bone grafts, and carbonated apatite-based dosimeters. His research also focuses on remineralization and prevention of dental caries (mouthrinse, toothpaste, chewing gum, etc.) and reduction of dentin hypersensitivity by fluoride-calcium-phosphate (FCP) technology. His areas of interest include restorative materials, endodontic materials, desensitization and remineralization by FCP technology, CPC bone grafts, 3-D printing technology, CPC-based dosimetry, and preventive dentistry.

Theresa Weaver, MS
MS Research associate, Lab of Oral and Craniofacial Innovation (LOCI)
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Connect with Theresa on LinkedIn

Theresa (Terrie) Weaver conducts research at the Lab of Oral and Craniofacial Innovation (LOCI) in Gaithersburg, Maryland. Terrie develops assays to profile cells of body fluids, especially saliva. Her areas of interest include cell phenotyping of immune cells, investigating diagnostic potential of fluids obtained non-invasively, and cell imaging with fluorescence microscopy.