Address:
Tufts University School of Dental Medicine
One Kneeland Street, Suite 752
Boston, MA 02111
Phone: 617 636-4045
Faculty
Dr. Russell Taichman
Associate Dean for Research and Chair of the Department of Basic & Clinical Translational Sciences
Dr. Taichman received his B.A. from Villanova University and his D.M.D. from the University of Pennsylvania, after which he continued his studies at Harvard University School of Dental Medicine where he earned a D.M.Sc. and a Certificate in Periodontology. Dr. Taichman has held professorships and deanships at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry and University of Alabama Birmingham School of Dentistry. His research and other interests include: Bone Biology; Bone Metastases; Hematology; Leadership training for oral health professionals; Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and Disseminated tumor cells (DTCs) and how they home, localize, and engage the bone marrow microenvironment or niche for survival, function and protection from injury.
Russell.Taichman@tufts.edu or 617-636-2994 x 8811
Dr. Athena Papas
Professor in Diagnostic Sciences
Dr. Papas received her dental degree from Harvard and her PhD in Oral Biology from MIT. She had a pre-doctoral fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital and a Postdoctoral Fellowship at Children’s Hospital. With expertise in the oral healthcare of the elderly, medically compromised, Sjögrens, cancer and bone marrow transplant patients, Dr. Papas has been the principal investigator of over 100 clinical trials. She has co-authored a textbook on Nutrition in Clinical Dentistry and Geriatric Dentistry. Dr. Papas was selected as the 2009 recipient of the International Association of Dental Research PTT Distinguished Scientist Award and has been the President of PTT and chaired the distinguished scientist awards committee. She also has received the Gavel and Pierre Fauchard awards and is a life fellow of the American College of Dentists, the American Dental Association, and the American Academy of Oral Medicine.
Athena.Papas@tufts.edu or 617 636-3932
Dr. Mabi Singh
Associate Professor in Diagnostic Sciences
Dr. Singh has worked with Dr. Athena Papas since 1999 to identify the best evidence-based care to improve oral health outcomes of care and incorporates such research into the diagnostic, management, and treatment protocols. He works with high-risk patients to help manage and treat their oral complications, which arise from systemic medical and drug therapies, auto-immune diseases (e.g. Sjӧgren’s syndrome), pre and post-radiation therapy, and chemotherapies. He is interested and believes in the possibility of overcoming various risk factors in the mouth and prevention of occurrences of multiple dental cavities, failures of restorations (e.g. fillings and crowns); prevent and treat various kinds of infections (e.g. bacterial and fungal), burning sensation, oral lesions (e.g. Lichen Planus) and dry mouth to decrease cost of treatment, stress and improve overall quality of life.
Mabi L.Singh@tufts.edu or 617 636-2158
Eileen Doherty
Senior Director of Pre-doctoral Student Research Associate Professor in Comprehensive Care
Professor Doherty manages the TUSDM Student Research Program, including the Student Summer Research Fellowships, the Dean’s Research Scholars Scholarship, Bates-Andrews Research Day, and the Robert R. Andrews Awards Dinner. She also promotes outside research and presentation opportunities for TUSDM students and tracks all outcomes related to student research. Eileen is available for assistance with proposal writing and can assist with material and testing set-up.
Eileen.Doherty@tufts.edu or 617 636-6870
Dr. Adam Lowenstein
Associate Professor in Pediatric Dentistry
Dr. Lowenstein attended Washington University in St. Louis, where he majored in Anthropology. He received his DMD and Certificate of Achievement in Pediatric Dentistry from Tufts University in addition to his MS degree from Boston University. Dr. Lowenstein practices pediatric dentistry in Framingham and Wellesley, Massachusetts. He is the chair of the Metropolitan District Dental Society. He has a strong background in statistics and is very interested in helping dental students and residents with their research endeavors. At TUSDM, Dr. Lowenstein works with pre-and post-doctoral students and faculty in research project development and analysis.
Dr. Carlos Mourao
Assistant Professor in Periodontology
Dr. Carlos Mourao is an Assistant Professor in Periodontology at Tufts School of Dental Medicine. Dr. Mourao has an extensive background that has taken him worldwide. After graduating as a Brazilian Dental Surgeon in 2006, Dr. Mourao became certified in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMFS), Implant Dentistry, and Oral Medicine, obtained from different Dental Schools in Brazil. With his certifications in hand, Dr. Mourao practiced dentistry in Brazil for more than 15 years and worked as a faculty in many Dental Schools in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. During this time, he worked as a dentist in Brazil; Dr. Mourao also served as a Lieutenant (Officer) in the Brazilian Navy (2014-2019,) most of the time in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. He went on to earn his master’s degree in 2012 in Surgical Sciences at the School of Medicine at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ). It was at UFRJ, that Dr. Mourao started working with experimental research (e.g., rabbits, rats, and pigs). He earned his Ph.D. in Dentistry in 2017 from Federal Fluminense University (UFF) and two post-doctoral certificates in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Biotechnology. He has published more than 110 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters, concentrating on blood-derived growth factors, bone regeneration, tissue engineering, bone graft analysis, dental implants, and oral surgery.
Carlos.Mourao@tufts.edu or 617 636-0958
Staff:
Pamela Corrado
Director of Dental Research
As the Director of the Dental Research Administration, Pam is responsible for overseeing financial and regulatory compliance and all research operations at TUSDM. Pam acts as the main research liaison to federal, corporate, and foundation funding agencies and Tufts central Research Administration and budget center offices. The Director is charged with providing education, training, and support for departmental research coordinators and staff throughout the Dental School as well as for faculty and students interested in research. She is responsible for managing the TUSDM Shared Labs, and shaping the evolving research program at TUSDM.
Pamela.Corrado@tufts.edu or 617 636-0389
Amanda Gozzi Lynch
Associate Director of Research Administration
Amanda is responsible for the full life cycle of research administration ranging from proposal development to post-award administration, award compliance and close-out. In this capacity, she works collaboratively with research faculty, school leadership, and both the pre-award and post-award divisions of the Office of the Vice Provost for Research. Amanda oversees a broad and varied portfolio comprised of federally-funded awards, foundation grants, corporate grants and other sponsored research contracts. She provides a comprehensive level of service geared toward the needs of the dental research community, including preparation of complex sponsored proposals, interpreting intricate sponsor rules and regulations, navigating research administration tools and systems, overseeing the institutional and regulatory requirements that govern research, and identifying and working toward resolution of complex pre- and post-award matters.
Amanda.Gozzi@tufts.edu or 617 636-0324
Elizabeth Tzavaras
Clinical Research Project Manager
As a Clinical Research Project Manager, Liz works with and under the direction of the Principal Investigators to develop, implement and coordinate study protocols & manage the daily clinical trial activities. She works as a team to sure that investigators adhere to Good Clinical Practices model and to ensure consistency and conformance to the protocol requirements. Liz is also responsible for the oversight and supervision of the 14th floor Dental Research Clinic to the Tufts faculty, staff and students providing a safe a sterile facility.
Elizabeth.Tzavaras@tufts.edu or 617 636-2408
Ann-Marie Jacobson (née Billig)
Senior Research Affairs Specialist
As a Senior Research Affairs Specialist, Ann-Marie provides regulatory compliance for human subjects research at TUSDM. She assists study teams in developing study protocols, consent forms, and supporting documentations, facilitates IRB and other regulatory approvals, conducts study start-up activities, monitors study progress, communicates and rectifies issues of non-compliance, and develops policies and procedures as needed. Ann-Marie also provides regulatory-related training and education to the TUSDM community.
Ann-Marie.Billig@tufts.edu or 617 636-3715
Mansha Kapur
Research Affairs Specialist
As a Regulatory Affairs Specialist, Mansha provides regulatory compliance for human subjects research at TUSDM. She assists study teams in developing study protocols, consent forms, and supporting documentations, facilitates IRB and other regulatory approvals, conducts study start-up activities, monitors study progress, and communicates and rectifies issues of non-compliance.
Sophen Joseph
Research Administrator I
Sophen is responsible for the full life cycle of research administration ranging from proposal development to post-award administration, award compliance and close-out. As part of the TUSDM Research Administration team, she works in conjunction with research faculty, school leadership, and both the pre-award and post-award divisions of the office of the Vice Provost for Research on proposal submission and management of federally-funded awards, foundation grants, corporate grants, and other sponsored research contracts. Sophen is a resource to faculty for navigating both the electronic research administration systems and tools as well as the institutional and regulatory requirements that govern research.
Jenise Martinez
Research Administrator I
Jenise is responsible for the full life cycle of research administration ranging from proposal development to post-award administration, award compliance, and close-out. As part of the TUSDM Research Administration team, she works in conjunction with research faculty, school leadership, and both the pre-award and post-award divisions of the office of the Vice Provost for Research on proposal submission and management of federally-funded awards, foundation grants, corporate grants, and other sponsored research contracts. Jenise is a resource to faculty for navigating both the electronic research administration systems and tools as well as the institutional and regulatory requirements that govern research.
Joseph Cimmino
Research Project Manager
Joseph works with and under the direction of the Principal Investigators to develop, implement and coordinate study protocols & manage the daily clinical trial activities. He works as a team to sure that investigators adhere to Good Clinical Practices model and to ensure consistency and conformance to the protocol requirements. Joe is also responsible for the oversight and supervision of the 14th floor Dental Research Clinic to the Tufts faculty, staff and students providing a safe a sterile facility.
Joseph.Cimmino@tufts.edu or 617 636-3931
Samantha Welch
Research Dental Hygienist
Sammy provides comprehensive oral hygiene care to research subjects of the TUSDM including screening, charting, examinations, preventive care including scaling, root planing, nutritional and plaque control counseling, prophylaxis, fluoride, and scheduling/recall for study visits. She is also responsible for coordinating, recruiting and scheduling research subjects as required by study specific protocols and according to GCP, IRB and FDA requirements.
Samantha.Welch674692@tufts.edu
Mona Patel
Research Assistant
Dr. Patel conducts research within and manages the Gavel Centers laboratories dedicated to in vitro research in dental materials. She is responsible for monitoring student and faculty usage of laboratory space to ensure compliance and safety. Dr. Patel also conducts literature searches for protocol design; writes research protocols, abstracts and reports; orders lab supplies and equipment; and coordinates equipment maintenance. She is responsible for all regulatory compliance within the lab, and for all students, faculty, and staff working there.
Mona.Patel@tufts.edu or 617 636-0332
Jason Zhao
Administrative Coordinator
As Administrative Coordinator, Jason provides administrative support, communications, and HR functions for Dental Research Administration. He oversees the daily operation of the office, evaluating workflow and productivity and providing direction and guidance to office staff. Jason assists with planning and coordinating meetings and special events, including contacting speakers, designing promotional material, and coordinating support for speakers and presenters.
Jason.Zhao@tufts.edu or 617-636-4045
Alexander Zidonis
Research Coordinator
As a Research Coordinator, Alex works with and under the direction of the principal investigators to develop, implement and coordinate study protocols and manage the daily clinical trial activities. He works as a team to make sure that investigators adhere to Good Clinical Practices model and to ensure consistency and conformance to the protocol requirements.
Gia Minacapilli
Research Coordinator
As a Research Coordinator, Gia works with and under the direction of the principal investigators to develop, implement and coordinate study protocols and manage the daily clinical trial activities. She works as a team to make sure that investigators adhere to Good Clinical Practices model and to ensure consistency and conformance to the protocol requirements.