Research Interests

 

1. Molecular mechanisms involved in progression of oral and salivary gland cancers.

2. Structure-Function relationships that drive pathogical changes, as related to salivary gland cancer, oral cancer and Sjogren's Syndrome.

3. Biocompatibility testing of Dental materials.

4. Oral mucosal diseases.

5. Anatomical variations that influence clinical practice.

6. Dental education research.

7.Regenerative endodontics.

 

Ongoing, Funded Research Projects:

 

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Completed Research Projects:

 

1.  Heat extension testing of gutta percha (2014-2105) - Dentsply International (Joy: PI).

2. Role of SIBLINGs in human salivary gland cancer (2014-2015) - SDM Pilot Project Award (Joy: PI).

3. Matrix-mediated transformation of human mesenchymal stem cells and dental pulp stem cells (2014-2015) - SDM Pilot Project Award (Joy: PI).

4. Role of cancer secretome in influencing metastatic potential of human slaivary gland cancer (2014-2015) SDM Adavnced Investigator Award (Joy: PI).

5. Mechanisms in reversal of drug-induced gingival overgrowth by UV-mediated apoptosis (2014) - SDM Dean's Summer Student Research Fellowship (Joy: PI and Faculty Sponsor).

6. Effect of cancer secretome on salivary gland cells (2014) - SDM Mentored Student Summer Research Fellowship (Joy: PI and Faculty Sponsor).

7. Extracellular matrix as a substrate for cell transformation (2014) - SDM Mentored Student Summer Research Fellowship (Joy: Co-PI).

8. Role of SIBLING proteins in salivary gland cancers (2014) - Competitive Applications Resubmission Incentive, SIUE (Joy: Co-PI).

9. In-vivo biocompatibility testing of a newly developed obturation material (2013-2014) - Dentsply International (Joy: Co-PI). 

10. Molecular characterization of human salivary gland carcinomas (2011-2012) - New Directions Award, SIUE (Joy: PI).

11. Molecular characterization of Sjogren's Syndrome (2011-2012) - SDM Pilot Project Award, SIU-SDM (Joy: PI). 

12. Cytoarchitecture of salivary gland acini as related to loss of function in Sjogren's Syndrome (2012-2013) - AADR Sjogren's Syndrome Foundation Fellowship (Joy: PI).

13. Acquisition of the "Table" - a virtual anatomy dissection table for sustainable enhancement of Dental Biomedical education at SIU School of Dental Medicine (2012-2013) - Excellence in Undergraduate Education Award, SIUE (Joy: PI) http://www.siue.edu/EUE/Awards.html.

14. The "Table" - testing the susatinable enhancement of Dental Biomedical education using a virtual anatomy dissection table (2012-2013) - SDM Pilot Project Award, SIU-SDM (Joy: PI).

15. Documentation of human anatomical variations (2012-2013) - SDM Pilot Project Award, SIU-SDM (Joy:PI). 

16. Apoptosis to control drug-induced gingival overgrowth (2013) - Senior Assignment Project, SIUE (Joy: Co-PI).

17. In-vitro growth of human salivary gland cells (2013) - SDM Dean's Summer Research Fellowship Project, SIU-SDM (Joy:PI).

18. Evaluation of human salivary gland tissue in culture (2013-2014) - Assigned Research Time Award, SIUE (Joy: PI). 

19. Documentation of human anatomical variations (2013-2014) - SDM Pilot Project Award, SIU-SDM (Joy:PI). 

20. The "Table" - testing the susatinable enhancement of Dental Biomedical education using a virtual anatomy dissection table (2013-2015) - SDM Pilot Project Award, SIU-SDM (Joy: PI).

21. Enhancing student self and peer-assessment in the gross anatomy laboratory (2015-2016) - Excellence in Undergraduate Education Award, SIUE (Joy: Co-PI).

22. Reversal of drug-induced gingival overgrowth using UV-mediated apoptosis: an in vitro study (2014-2016) - AADR Student Research Fellowship (Joy: PI and Faculty Sponsor).

23. Documentation of anatomical variations (2012-2016) - SDM Pilot Project Award (Joy: PI).

24. Genetic comparisons in normal and cancerous salivary gland cells (2015) - SDM Dean's Summer Student Research Fellowship (Joy: PI and Faculty Sponsor).

25. Preferential nuclear localization of beta-catenin in human salivary gland cancers (2015) - SDM Dean's Summer Student Research Fellowship (Joy: PI and Faculty Sponsor).

26. Role of osteopontin in migration of human salivary gland cells (2016) - SDM Advanced Investigation Award (Joy: PI).

27. Is the Wnt pathway activated in human salivary gland cells? (2016) - SDM Pilot Project Award (Joy: PI).

28. Role of TGF-b in cyclosporine induced gingival overgorwth - a pilot study (2016) - SDM Dean's Summer Student Research Fellowship (Joy: PI and Faculty Sponsor).