mm

Robert Bagramian, DDS, Dr.P.H., Interim Director

24 Frank Lloyd Wright Drive/Ann Arbor, MI 48106

Domino’s Farms - Lobby M

robtbagr@umich.edu

http://www.dent.umich.edu/mcohr

The Michigan Center for Oral Health Research (MCOHR) serves the University of Michigan School of Dentistry, the profession, and the public in the translation of basic knowledge into new evidence-based clinical therapies to improve oral, dental and craniofacial health. MCOHR provides clinical research project management and consultation services to all faculty and research team members at the School of Dentistry, and includes the following: biostatistical services, protocol review, informed consent form development, grants support, project management, and regulatory services (FDA and IRB applications). MCOHR also offers introductory clinical research workshops to faculty, staff and students pursuing new research endeavors. These workshops are facilitated through the School of Dentistry. It interfaces with key University clinical research entities including the Michigan Institute for Clinical and Health Research (MICHR), the Michigan Clinical Research Unit (MCRU), the Michigan Diabetes Research and Training Center (MDRTC), and other health sciences schools and colleges. In September 2009, MCOHR entered into a programmatic alliance with MICHR. MCOHR continues to manage and hold full authority over its operations, staffing, and development processes, while leveraging MICHR’s financial management, administrative resources, and clinical research support. The Clinical Studies/Biostatistics core consists of faculty members who serve as Principal Investigators or Co-Investigators on studies performed at MCOHR. A fully functioning clinic infrastructure exists at MCOHR. There are 4 operatories, and a radiology suite with full digital radiography systems in place. All MCOHR project related visits occur at this clinic, from the screening process to study procedures to end-of-study visits.  

As MCOHR is part of the School of Dentistry, education and training is a key mission focus. Several Clinical Research Fellows currently receive hands-on training in clinical research at MCOHR. In addition, several students of the school’s student research program (SRP), undergraduate research opportunity program (UROP) and the Michigan Clinical Researchers in Training (MCRiT) program have trained at MCOHR. Through the efforts of a current DDS candidate who is a former MCOHR student assistant, a rotation through MCOHR has been added to the dental school’s curriculum. This two-day rotation introduces students to clinical research and provides them with tools should they consider a career path in clinical and translational research. 

Michigan Center for Oral Health Research Team –

William V. Giannobile DDS, Director, 734-998-1468, wgiannob@umich.edu

-contact for assistance with project and funding discussions

734-998-1468,

Carol VanHuysen, MICHR-MCOHR Liaison, 734-998-6885, cvanh@med.umich.edu

-contact for information on University Clinical Research Resources 

Anna Galloro, Research Area Specialist Intermediate, 734-998-1435, ashafto@umich.edu

-contact for assistance with IRB and FDA-related questions and support, and assistance with clinical research study budgets, study coordination

Hilye Pittman, Patient Services Assistant, 734-998-6721, hpittman@umich.edu  

-assistance with patient recruitment and clinical research scheduling questions 

Tina Huffman, Dental Assistant Senior, 734-998-1503, chrismhu@umich.edu  

-assistance with patient clinical research activities in the MCOHR clinics 

Thomas Braun PhD, Biostatistician, (734) 936-9844, tombraun@umich.edu  

-assistance with biostatistical questions, power calculations, study design 

Important links:

MCOHR: http://www.dent.umich.edu/mcohr

MICHR (University clinical research resource): http://www.michr.umich.edu/

MCOHR Advisory Committees:

MCOHR Steering Committee: The MCOHR Steering Committee was established to provide guidance to the Director during MCOHR’s development stages. The Steering Committee is comprised of School of Dentistry and Medicine faculty members who meet semi-annually. The Steering Committee has provided valuable feedback and insight into the needs of clinical researchers at the School, and guided MCOHR’s services provision process. Steering Committee members include Lucia Cevidanes, Nisha D’Silva, Alexandre DaSilva, Carlos Gonzalez, Charlotte Mistretta, and Brent Ward, all from the School of Dentistry, and Blake Roessler from the UM Medical School & Innovations Program Associate Director of MICHR.

MCOHR External Biotechnology Advisory Board: The Advisory Board was established to evaluate and provide feedback on MCOHR’s Strategic and Business Plan. Another impetus behind the establishment of the Center was the formation of mutually beneficial academic-industrial partnerships critical to the success of clinical research in the future. It continues to be an invaluable collaboration; one that provides much needed insight and has established an effective dialogue between industry and academia. Industrial support and collaborations has been critical to MCOHR’s growth and the University’s evolving mission towards greater expansion of translational research. Current board members are Jed Jacobson, Delta Dental; Kenneth Kornman, Interleukin Genetics; Matthew Doyle, The Proctor and Gamble Co.; Virginia Barnes, Colgate-Palmolive Co.; Tim Mayleben, Aastrom Biosciences, Inc.; and Sandro Matter, Institut Straumann AG.