NIDCR-FIC D43 Training Program

Studying the determinants of periodontitis and associated non-communicable chronic diseases in Jamaica.

Program Overview

This NIH-funded training program aims to build the research capacity at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Mona campus to conduct human clinical studies to evaluate susceptibility to periodontitis and its relationship with chronic noncommunicable diseases in Jamaica.

The D43 programs support the training of clinical and basic scientists under the mentorship of faculty from the University of the West Indies in collaboration with the University at Buffalo and Rush University in the U.S.

Customized curricula based on each trainee’s individualized development plan is implemented. Trainees have a short-term (six month) training experience in U.S. laboratories directed by faculty mentors with extensive experience in epidemiology, periodontology, microbiome, bioinformatics, immunology and cardiometabolic disease, while completing their research degree or postdoctoral programs at the University of the West Indies.

This program is expected to provide rigorous interdisciplinary scientific training experience, create a pool of candidates with potential to join the faculty at the University of the West Indies, and continue research in periodontitis in Jamaica. The program accepts two types of trainees:

Degree candidates at the University of the West Indies enrolled in master’s, MPhil or PhD programs.
Dental graduates conducting post-doctoral fellowship training.

Apply

Below are the application guidelines for the D43 NIH-sponsored training program in “Determinants of Periodontal Disease and Associated Co-morbidities in the Caribbean.” Click on the "+" to expand.

This research training program supports the study of periodontitis and its associated comorbidities in Jamaica. Periodontitis, a microbiome and inflammation-mediated destruction of tooth-supporting tissues that leads to tooth loss, is the 6^th most prevalent disease globally, with an estimated 54 billion USD/year cost of productivity loss worldwide. In addition to the oral health burden of the disease, periodontitis occurs in association with several systemic non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, adverse pregnancy outcomes, Alzheimer’s disease, and certain cancers. There is substantial evidence indicating the relationship between periodontitis and non-communicable chronic inflammatory conditions is not just a consequence of common risk factors but is driven by the dissemination of oral microorganisms or locally-activated lymphocytes to distant organs, where they cause functional disruptions that aggravate and, in some cases, initiate comorbid pathologies. Recent evidence also demonstrates that periodontitis-driven systemic inflammation promotes changes in bone marrow stem cell progenitor populations, giving rise to innate immune cells with heightened proinflammatory potential, which perpetuate inflammation in peripheral tissues affected by other inflammatory disorders. Therefore, effective prevention, detection and treatment of periodontitis are of utmost importance not only to oral health but to an individual’s overall well-being.

Unfortunately, studies on risk determinants of periodontitis and the relationship of periodontitis with other systemic comorbidities have mostly focused on populations from developed world regions, with an almost complete lack of studies conducted in the Caribbean. There is therefore an urgent need to develop research expertise in the region to study the impact of periodontitis in Caribbean populations. This program focuses on developing the research capacity in Jamaica to study the behavioral, social, microbiome and immunological determinants of different forms of periodontitis and the relationship of this disease with systemic comorbid chronic conditions. The unique genetic ancestries, socio-economic and behavioral characteristics of Caribbean populations are bound to influence susceptibility to periodontitis and the way periodontitis affects systemic health. Building a comprehensive understanding of the determinants of periodontitis in Jamaica and the relationship between periodontitis and chronic non-communicable inflammatory conditions will help guide public health efforts to effectively diagnose these conditions, build dental-medical interdisciplinary teams and call attention to the development of preventive interventions for periodontitis applicable to the needs of Jamaicans.

Through the efforts of post-doctoral dentist scientist trainees and their mentors, this program aims to create two human subject cohorts comprehensively assessed and sampled. One cohort will focus on children and adolescents and the second cohort will enroll adults being treated for cardiometabolic disease. These cohorts will serve as the foundation for trainee research in the following, broadly described, scientific research areas:

Epidemiology and risk determinants associated with periodontitis affecting children and adolescents in Jamaica.
Relationship of periodontitis with diabetes and cardiovascular disease in Jamaica.

Trainees are required to develop a research proposal and conduct research on the scientific areas described above. Trainees are expected to present progress reports to their mentors and the D43 Steering Committee. Trainees are also expected to work towards publication of their research in highly recognized journals. Trainees are required to complete the core courses and seminars of the D43 program, as outlined below, in addition to any required courses of their own program. The D43 core curriculum is comprised of seven core courses/seminars designed to give trainees basic competencies to study periodontitis and associated comorbidities. These courses include:

Periodontitis and Associated NCDs webinar
Journal club and research progress series
Responsible conduct of research workshop or research ethics course
Research bootcamp in statistics or elective statistics course through CAIHR
Good clinical practice
Scientific communication
Mentored research

Other courses/training may be offered to trainees tailored to their specific research needs.

We welcome applications from trainees at any level – from those without research experience, those who have had an introduction, or those who are looking to further their current research interests and skills. Different types of trainees are supported by the program.

Postdoctoral fellows: These are dentists interested in developing skills in clinical research in periodontitis. Fellows are expected to commit full-time to the program for 2 years.

Applicant Eligibility:

Jamaican citizen (cannot hold dual citizenship with a high-income country)
Graduated from a dental school in the past 5 years
Have an interest to pursue an academic career in dentistry.

Application Materials:

Curriculum vitae
Proof of dental degree
Academic records from dental school
Letter of intent stating name of applicant, name of primary mentor, why they are interested in the program, how it is anticipated the program will prepare them for their career, and a brief statement of their research interest (letter limited to 1 page)
Letter of support from a potential UWI research mentor

MPhil or PhD candidates: These are students accepted into the Department of Basic Sciences or in the Epidemiology program at CAIHR. Students are expected to conduct their main research in periodontitis and associated comorbidities. MPhil candidates will be supported for up to 2 years and PhD candidates for up to 4 years.

Applicant Eligibility:

Jamaican citizen (cannot hold dual citizenship with a high-income country)
Accepted into the MPhil or PhD programs at the Departments indicated above

Application Materials:

Curriculum vitae
Academic records from previous degree
Letter of intent stating name of applicant, name of primary mentor, and why they are interested in the program (limited to 1 page)
Letter of support from a potential UWI research mentor

Submitted application materials will be reviewed by the D43 Steering Committee. Criteria for review include good academic standing and clear interest in research training. The trainee will then be notified of the decision by the Steering Committee. If accepted in to the training program, trainees will be required to submit a 2-page proposal outlining their project within 3 weeks of notification.

For further inquiries and to submit application materials, please contact Dr. Patricia Diaz at pdiazmo@buffalo.edu.