Oral Immunity & Infection Section: People

Niki M. Moutsopoulos, D.D.S., Ph.D. - Principal Investigator

I am a clinician-scientist and Immunologist. Trained as a dentist and periodontist, I became fascinated with oral mucosal biology. As a clinician, I have always been interested in the oral cavity as a mirror of general health and have strived to incorporate oral health diagnosis and management in the assessment and care of complex, medically- compromised patients. As an immunologist, understanding mucosal immunity at this unique tissue barrier, dissecting host-microbe interactions and uncovering fundamental mechanisms of oral biology has been a true passion. After directing a laboratory for a decade, I aspire to help mentor the next generation of scientists working in the field of oral mucosal immunology.

I believe in collaborative science and teamwork and aspire to partner with enthusiastic individuals of diverse backgrounds and talents to collectively uncover fundamental biology of mucosal tissues and target mucosa- associated disease.

Lakmali Silva, Ph.D. - Postdoctoral Fellow

I performed my Ph.D. research on Kallikrein-related peptidases and their degradome in the context of ovarian cancer at the Translational Research Institute (TRI), Queensland University of Technology (QUT) in Brisbane, Australia. My postdoctoral studies in the laboratories of Drs Thomas Bugge and Niki Moutsopoulos at the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, Bethesda, MD, focus on the role of fibrin in mediating immunopathology at the oral mucosal barrier. Through these studies I have identified a critical molecular mechanism that leads to periodontitis pathogenesis in patients deficient for plasminogen (Plg) due to mutations in PLG and aim to further investigate the functional consequences of fibrin-myeloid cell engagement through the αMβ2 integrin binding site on fibrin in oral mucosal immunity.

Tomoko Ikeuchi, D.D.S., Ph.D. - Postdoctoral Fellow

During my training as a pediatric dentist, at the Tohoku university hospital in Japan, I became interested in periodontitis of young patients for which only symptomatic treatment strategies existed. I subsequently, pursued a Ph.D. in immunology and became fascinated by oral mucosal immunity. During my postdoctoral work, I gained experience in molecular biology and biochemistry, specifically, studying the role of the extracellular matrix protein Fibulin-7 and its anti-angiogenic properties. My long-term goal is to combine my clinical and basic science training and interests to study oral mucosal immunity and mechanisms involved in periodontitis. My current research exploits mouse models to investigate the periodontal disease mechanisms, with a focus on Th17 and IL-17 biology.

Tae Sung Kim, Ph.D. - Postdoctoral Fellow

I obtained my Ph.D. in Medical Science and Microbiology from Chungnam National University, in South Korea. During my Ph.D., my research focus was on antimicrobial responses against mycobacterial infection in macrophages, through autophagy and mitochondrial activation. I then started my postdoctoral research as a Research Fellow at Infection Control Convergence Research Center, where I studied autophagy activating agents as therapeutic targets in mycobacterial infection. In 2018, I joined Dr. Niki Moutsopoulos’ Oral Immunity and Inflammation Section at NIDCR. My current work is focused myeloid cell populations and their roles in oral immunity and periodontal disease pathogenesis.

Drake Williams, D.D.S., Ph.D. - Postdoctoral Fellow

I am a dentist scientist with an interest in host-microbe interactions and oral barrier immunity. I received DDS (2017) and Ph.D. (2019) degrees, both from the UCLA School of Dentistry, for studying the role of host inflammation and the commensal microbiota in the pathogenesis of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw, under the advisement of Dr. Reuben Kim. My D.D.S./Ph.D. studies were supported in part by the NIDCR F30 NRSA Predoctoral Fellowship. I am currently a Clinical Research Fellow at NIDCR in the laboratory of Dr. Niki Moutsopoulos. My main focus in the Moutsopoulos lab is to use systems biology, applying single cell sequencing, spatial transcriptomics and high-dimensional cytometry to study mucosal immunology at the oral barrier, with a specific focus on understanding how the immune system contributes to the pathogenesis of common and mendelian forms of periodontal disease.

Vasileios Theofilou, D.D.S. - Graduate Student

I received my D.D.S. from the School of Dentistry of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens in 2017 and I subsequently enrolled in the Oral Medicine and Pathology Department of the same institution. Since 2020 I am a resident in the Advanced Program of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology and Ph.D. student in Oral and Experimental Pathology in the University of Maryland Baltimore. I currently conduct research in Dr Moutsopoulos’ lab at the NIDCR as part of the Graduate Partnerships Program. My work focuses on applying my experience and passion about histopathology to study oral mucosal immunology at a spatial level aiming to further characterize the pathogenesis of the most common oral disease, periodontitis.

Hannah Brooks - Post-baccalaureate Fellow

I received my B.S. in biochemistry from the University of North Carolina Greensboro. At UNCG I worked in Dr. Nicholas Oberlies’ lab which focused on isolating bioactive compounds from nature. My role in the lab revolved around cultivating fungi, and testing the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites for anticancer drugs. It was during my time there where I developed an interest in studying biological pathways of disease and the pharmacology of cancer treatments. Currently as a postbaccalaureate fellow in Dr. Moutsopoulos’ lab I am excited to study the mechanisms of IL17 and fibroblasts, and how they play a role in oral immunity and periodontal pathogenesis. I hope to use the skills I learn here at the NIH as a future research scientist who can have a positive impact on the scientific community and help improve the lives of patients.

Teresa Wild, M.S. - Biologist

I have a B.S. degree in Medical Technology from East Tennessee State University and a Master of Science degree from Duke University. My experience as a medical technologist and subsequent work in both clinical and basic science research labs for 30+ years enables me to assist in managing and supporting this dedicated group of scientists. I provide general support to the scientists in the lab and basic lab training to new laboratory personnel. Being part of a dynamic, enthusiastic lab that is working to understand oral-barrier immunity and susceptibility and pathogenesis of oral diseases is both exciting and fascinating.

Laurie Brenchley, R.D.H., M.S. - Clinical Research Specialist

I am a dental hygienist and lead clinical research specialist. I obtained a B.S. in Hygiene from the University of Maryland and Master of Science degree at Idaho State University. My 20+ years of dental experience has led me to this fulfilling position where I am able to provide broad support and assistance in managing the clinical operations of our program. I serve as a liaison between our team, various medical groups at the NIH, patients, and providers in the community, while providing care and assisting in the development and implementation of clinic policies and protocols. Working with a group of devoted and enthusiastic laboratory personnel also allows me to participate in various projects related to oral immunity and periodontal disease through the study of patients with rare and common forms of oral disease.

Eleni Kanasi, D.D.S., M.S., Ph.D. - Periodontist (part-time faculty)

I received my Dental degree from Sweden and my Periodontology Certificate from Boston University. I am a diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology since 2014. My Doctorate in Oral Microbiology was focused on novel microorganisms in childhood caries and early periodontitis. To master clinical trial principals, I completed my M.S. in Epidemiology from Harvard School of Public Health and a Certificate in Oral Epidemiology from Harvard School of Dental Medicine, while supported by an NIH grant. As an Assistant Professor at Boston University (2011-2016), I trained over 600 pre and post graduate dental students. I have been clinically active as a Periodontist in diverse environments for over 13 years including academia, community health and private practice. I am joining NIH hoping to combine my interests and provide quality periodontal care to clinical center patients, while helping advance our understanding periodontal disease pathogenesis.