Position: Associate Dean for Research, and Chair, Department of Bioscience Research

Organization: Professor, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, College of Dentistry, Memphis, Tennessee

Biography Text: Douglas Dixon DMD, MSD, PhD, Professor; Associate Dean for Research and Chair, Department of Bioscience Research, University of Tennessee Heath Science Center, College of Dentistry, Tennessee. Dr. Dixon received his dental degree from the University of Pittsburgh in 1993, and completed his periodontics training, MSD and PhD in 2001 and 2005, respectively. Dr. Dixon’s initial research interests focused on pathogenic bacteria, lipopolysaccharides, and innate immunity. He later worked to develop synthetic peptides to augment the body’s natural antimicrobial defenses within the saliva and oral environment. He has gone on to develop various research projects involving bone and soft tissue regeneration (rhBMP-2 directed osteo and angiogenesis), cytotoxic effects of oral bacteria surface proteins, as well as implant and surgical wound healing studies. He is currently serving as a primary investigator on NIH funded efforts with the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Institute characterizing specific T-cell populations associated with oral immunity and cancer with work published in Nature and Science Translational Medicine. Clinically, Dr Dixon’s publications have also focused on soft and hard tissue augmentation, perio-restorative factors in dental implantology and immediate implant esthetics. Previously, he has served the Academy in leadership positions within DISTRICT 8 and as Vice-Chair for the AAP task force to update the Academy Glossary of Terms. Since 2018 he has been currently serving on the American Board of Periodontology as an Examiner and in 2023 as both an Examiner and as a Director of the Board.