Walter J. Loesche | James Giordano | George W. Taylor | Christopher E. Kazor

Walter J. Loesche

 

Dr. Loesche received his BA degree from Yale University in 1957, his D.M.D. from Harvard, 1961, and his PhD from Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1967. He is Professor of Dentistry, School of Dentistry, and Professor of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Michigan. He was the Director for Research from 1987-1989 and initiated the student research dual between the University of Michigan Dental School and the Ohio State University Dental School. He is a past President of the American Association for Dental Research and has served on several NIH and FDA committees. Currently he is active on the Taxonomic Subcommittee on Gram-negative Anaerobic Rods, and the International Dental Health Foundation. He is also serving on several journal editorial boards. He is the author of over 160 articles which have appeared in peer reviewed journals, over 40 invited reviews and chapters in books, and the author of two books and co-author of another. Dr. Loesche is the recipient of many honors and awards including Dr. honoris causa, honorary degree awarded by the University of Turku, Finland, Dr. Odont - honorary degree awarded by University of Göteborg, Sweden, Rosenstat Visiting Professor in Health Sciences, University of Toronto, Doctor honoris causa, honorary degree awarded by the University of Ghent, Belgium, International Association for Dental Research Distinguished Scientist Award for research in dental caries, and a new species of gram-negative anaerobic rods isolated from the oral cavity named in recognition of his work, Prevotella loescheii. His research has focused on the specific role of certain bacteria in dental caries and periodontal disease. In 1976 he used the concept of the Specific Plaque Hypothesis to develop diagnostic and treatment paradigms for the management of dental caries as a specific bacterial infection involving Streptococcus mutans and lactobacilli. Later the hypothesis was expanded to include the role of certain anaerobic bacteria in periodontal disease. He is currently the project director and principal investigator for a large NIH program project grant investigating the effects of oral health on medical outcomes. He is also the principal investigator on a longitudinal clinical study involving metronidazole in the treatment of periodontal disease. Please feel free to visit his homepage in the Department of Microbiology at the University of Michigan Medical School where you can find a recent photograph. Email: wloesche@umich.edu

James Giordano

Dr. James Giordano received his B.S., D.D.S. and M.S. degrees from the University of Michigan in 1978, 1982 and 1987 respectively. He was a Clinical Instructor in the Departments of Preclinical and Operative Dentistry and Periodontics from 1982-1985. From 1985 to 1988 he served as an adjunct lecturer involved in the clinical management of patients in the Metronidazole in Periodontics Research Project. Until recently he served as an Assistant Professor at the University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry and is currently a private practicing periodontist in Dearborn, Michigan. He has been involved in the NIDR funded grant project, Metronidazole in Periodontitis and Chemotherapeutic Management of Periodontitis, serving as a Co-Investigator. Dr. Giordano has various publications and continues to be active in research and patient care. Email: thegios@wwnet.net

George W. Taylor

Dr. George W. Taylor is currently an Assistant Professor at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry in the Department of Cariology, Restorative Sciences and Endodontics. He received his D.M.D. degree from Harvard University in 1974, and subsequently spent several years serving in the United States Air Force Dental Corps and teaching at the University of Detroit, Mercy School of Dentistry. He received his M.P.H. and Dr.P.H. degrees from the University of Michigan in 1982 and 1994 respectively. Dr. Taylor's current research interests involve studying the relationship between oral diseases and other systemic diseases, particularly the role of oral infections in diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases and adverse medical outcomes; studying factors affecting oral health status and dental care utilization of minority populations; investigating the effects of payment mechanisms on the demand for and provision of dental sealants; and conducting clinical research in the private practice setting. Dr. Taylor is an investigator in the Geriatric Oral Science Project (GOSP), an NIDCR-funded program project headed by Dr. Walter Loesche, investigating the effects of oral diseases on aspiration pneumonia and cardiovascular diseases in older adults. He is also principal investigator of the Biostatistics Core of GOSP. He has recently completed an NIDDK-funded R03 (for which he was principal investigator), studying the effects of periodontal infection on glycemic control; investigator on an NIDR-funded R03 studying the effects of type 2 diabetes on oral health in older adults; investigator on an NIDR-funded contract designed to assess the effects of various dental insurance packages on children's dental care utilization; and principal investigator of a project to establish a private practice-based clinical research network in Michigan. Email: gwt@umich.edu

Christopher E. Kazor

Dr. Kazor received his undergraduate degrees from the University of Michigan where he studied Anthropology and Biology, and his dental degree from the University of Michigan School of Dentistry. He is currently a graduate student pursuing an M.S. in Periodontics and a Ph.D. in Oral Health Sciences at the University of Michigan. His current research interests lie in the investigation of the relationships between tobacco use and periodontal disease. His thesis work focuses on establishing native tongue ecology and aspects of oral malodor. Dr. Kazor has several publications and has served on the review committee for the University's in-house Student Journal of Dental Research. He has numerous honors and awards which include a 1995 AADR Student Research Fellowship, National Finalist 1996 AADR Hatton Award Competition, 4th Place in the 1997 Ohio Regional Valley Research Competition, Elected Member Omicron Kappa Upsilon Dental Honors Fraternity, 1997 Annual American Academy of Periodontology Award Recipient for Excellence in Periodontics and 1997 University of Michigan School of Dentistry Comprehensive Care Award Recipient for Excellence in Patient Care. He enthuses in Scientific and Information Technology transfer and encourages you to visit his homepage. Email: thekaz@umich.edu

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