Position: Assistant Professor

Organization: University of Pittsburgh

Biography Text: Dr. Bertolini is a clinician–scientist–educator holding DDS and PhD degrees, with advanced training in oral microbiology and mucosal immunology, as well as dual clinical specialization in Prosthodontics and Periodontics. She is also a Diplomate of the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP). Over the past decade, she has leveraged her basic science expertise and clinical training to bridge the gap between bench research and clinically relevant challenges in oral diseases driven by pathogenic biofilms. Her work has been recognized with numerous national and international awards, including the AAP Foundation Educator Scholarship (2021) and the AAP Foundation Teaching Fellowship (2025). She has also participated in leadership and faculty development programs, such as the 2023 Leadership, Engagement, Action, and Development (LEAD) Program in Chicago, sponsored by the AAP Foundation, and the Institute for Teaching and Learning (ITL), both designed to support early-career educators in teaching and research. Dr. Bertolini has authored more than 50 peer-reviewed scientific publications in leading journals including the Journal of Periodontal Research, Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry, and PLOS Pathogens. She serves on the editorial boards of the Journal of Dental Research (JDR), Journal of Periodontal Research, and the Journal of Translational Medicine. Committed to making science accessible to the public, she also acts as a scientific consultant for major media outlets, including The New York Times, Consumer Reports, and NBC Health News, providing expertise on dentistry and oral health.