uf college of dentistry
UFCD Faculty Research Interests
Explore the diverse and interdisciplinary research strengths of UF College of Dentistry faculty, showcasing innovations that advance oral health, clinical care, and community well‑being.
How to view individual faculty research interests?
Faculty research interests are available within each faculty member’s profile. Click on the “Full Profile” to explore individual research areas, publications, and scholarly activities.
Departments
- Community Dentistry & Behavioral Science
- Endodontics
- Oral Biology
- Oral & Maxillofacial Diagnostic Sciences
- Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
- Periodontology
- Prosthodontics
- Restorative Dental Sciences
Community Dentistry & Behavioral Science
Faculty in the Community Dentistry & Behavioral Science department focus on understanding how behavioral, social, and systemic factors influence oral health outcomes. Common research themes include pain perception, dental fear and anxiety, health disparities, access to care, and community‑based interventions, with an emphasis on improving patient experiences and promoting equity in oral health delivery.
Emily J Bartley PhD
Associate Professor, Director of Communication and Outreach (PRICE)
Email:
ejbartley@ufl.edu
Yenisel Cruz-Almeida MSPH, PhD
Professor & Associate Director, Pain Research & Intervention Center Of Excellence
Email:
cryeni@ufl.edu
Olga S Ensz DMD, MPH
Clinical Associate Professor, Director of Community-Based Outreach
Email:
olga.ensz@ufl.edu
Roger B Fillingim PhD
Associate Dean of Planning and Institutional Effectiveness, Distinguished Professor, Director of PRICE
Email:
rfilling@ufl.edu
Joseph L Riley PhD, MS
Professor & Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs
Email:
jriley3@ufl.edu
Daniel W McNeil PhD
Parker E. Mahan Endowed Professor, University of Florida, Chair, Department of Community Dentistry and Behavioral Science
Email:
dmcneil1@ufl.eduEndodontics
Research in Endodontics centers on improving diagnosis, treatment outcomes, and long‑term success of root canal therapy. Faculty interests frequently include pulp biology, periapical disease, regenerative endodontics, biomaterials, and advanced imaging techniques used to evaluate root canal systems and healing.
Roberta Pileggi DDS, MS
Senior Executive Associate Dean; Chair, Program Director & Professor of Endodontics; Associate Dean for Advanced & Graduate Education; Director, School of Advanced Dental Sciences
Email:
rpileggi@dental.ufl.eduOral Biology
The Oral Biology department emphasizes fundamental and translational research that explores the biological basis of oral and systemic health. Shared research interests span microbiology, immunology, genomics, biofilms, host‑pathogen interactions, bone biology, and molecular mechanisms underlying oral diseases, providing a scientific foundation for clinical innovation.
L J Brady
Professor & Director of Graduate and Postdoctoral Research Training and Career Development
Email:
lbrady@ufl.edu
Shannon M Wallet PhD
Chair and Professor, Department of Oral Biology | Louis and Marge Atkins Endowed Professor
Email:
smpop@ufl.eduOral & Maxillofacial Diagnostic Sciences
Faculty research in the Oral & Maxillofacial Diagnostic Sciences is driven by advancing diagnostic accuracy through imaging and pathology. Common interests include oral and maxillofacial radiology, artificial intelligence in diagnostics, image interpretation, disease detection, and the integration of emerging technologies to support early and precise diagnosis.
Indraneel Bhattacharyya DDS, MSD
Professor & Division Director, Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology
Email:
neelanu@ufl.edu
Anita Gohel BDS, PhD
Chair & Clinical Professor, Oral & Maxillofacial Diagnostic Sciences; Program Director, Advanced Education in Oral & Maxillofacial Radiology
Email:
agohel@ufl.edu
Nadim M Islam BDS DDS
Clinical Professor & Residency Program Director
Email:
mnislam@ufl.edu
Pamela R Sandow DMD
Associate Dean for Admissions & Financial Aid; Clinical Professor, Oral Medicine Clinic Director
Email:
sandow@ufl.eduOral & Maxillofacial Surgery
Research efforts in Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery focus on improving surgical outcomes and patient care. Faculty commonly investigate bone regeneration, implant dentistry, trauma management, pathology, anesthesia techniques, and clinical outcomes related to complex surgical procedures.
M F Dolwick DMD, PhD
Professor | Chair, Oral Surgery | Director Of Hospital Dentistry
Email:
tmjdoc@ufl.eduOrthodontics
Orthodontics research at UFCD explores craniofacial growth, development, and biomechanics of tooth movement. Shared interests include digital orthodontics, treatment efficiency, aligner therapy, airway analysis, and the biological response of tissues to orthodontic forces.
Sarah H Abu Arqub BDS, M.Sc., M.Dent.Sc.
Clinical Assistant Professor
Email:
sabuarqub@ufl.edu
Divakar Karanth BDS, MDS, MS, MOrth RCS
Program Director – Graduate Orthodontics
Email:
divakar.karanthh@ufl.eduPeriodontology
Periodontology research emphasizes the biology and treatment of periodontal and peri‑implant diseases. Shared faculty interests include inflammation, tissue regeneration, implant integration, systemic links between periodontal disease and overall health, and biologic and biomaterial‑based therapies.
Prosthodontics
Research in Prosthodontics focuses on restoring oral function, esthetics, and quality of life. Faculty commonly study dental materials, digital workflows, implant‑supported prostheses, occlusion, and long‑term clinical outcomes associated with complex restorative care.
Sherif Hosney BDS, MS, FACP
Clinical Assistant Professor & Program Director, Advanced Education in Prosthodontics
Email:
shosney@ufl.eduRestorative Dental Sciences
Faculty research in Restorative Dental Sciences spans operative dentistry, biomaterials, and clinical outcomes research. Common interests include caries detection and management, adhesive dentistry, minimally invasive techniques, longevity of restorations, and evidence‑based approaches to restorative care.
Alex J Delgado DDS, MS
Director of Continuing Dental Education & Associate Professor
Email:
alexdelgado@ufl.edu
Josephine F Esquivel-Upshaw DMD
Professor & Division Director, Division of Prosthodontics
Email:
jeupshaw@ufl.edu
Valeria V Gordan DDS, MS
Associate Dean For Research & Distinguished Professor
Email:
vgordan@ufl.edu
Margarete C Ribeiro Dasilva DDS, MS, PhD
Clinical Professor
Email:
ribeirosilva74@ufl.edu
Mateus G Rocha DDS, MS, PhD
Clinical Associate Professor & Director, Center for Dental Biomaterials
Email:
m.rocha@ufl.edu