PhD Program in Oral Biology 

The Oral Biology PhD Program in Biomedical Sciences is designed for students interested in basic and translational research focused on oral diseases, oral immunology, microbiology, and biomaterials relevant to oral health. This program offers training that will give students the opportunity to become specialized oral health researchers who can address complex oral health problems, drive innovation in dental materials and therapies, understand the link between oral health and systemic disease, and help meet the shortage of dental school educators and industry scientists. During the three semesters of integrated coursework, students will have the opportunity to rotate through three research laboratories and select mentors for focused thesis research across interdisciplinary areas, including genetics, microbiology, immunology, and tissue regeneration, to enhance oral health. Students who earn a PhD degree in Oral Biology will be well-positioned to continue their careers as front-runners in oral health research and as leaders in the dental academia as well as industry.

Program Focus

• Mechanisms underlying oral infectious diseases
• Oral mucosa immunity
• Microbial biofilms and dysbiosis
• Salivary biology
• Implant biomaterials

Administration & Contact

Admission Committee Chair: Dr. Narayanan Ramasubbu

Please address inquiries and requests for information to Dr. Narayanan Ramasubbu at ramasun1@sdm.rutgers.edu and Debra Tischio Bereski at tischida@sdm.rutgers.edu.

Track Director: Georgios Kotsakis, DDS, PhD

Track Co-Director: Scott Kachlany, PhD

Apply via the SGS portal here.