Catherine Jauregui

Catherine Jauregui serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Oral Biology at Augusta University's Dental College of Georgia, with additional administrative appointment in The Graduate School. Her dual focus encompasses teaching biomedical sciences and conducting interdisciplinary research spanning oral microbiology and dental education scholarship.

Education

• Ph.D. in Microbiology, University of Bristol (2008)

Dr. Jauregui's research program centers on two distinct yet complementary domains: investigating fluoride resistance mechanisms in Streptococcus mutans through bacterial-host cell interaction studies, and advancing critical thinking assessment methodologies in dental education. Her scholarship reflects a strategic evolution from foundational work in cancer biology (2017-2018) toward educational innovation, driven by her commitment to developing student self-directed learning capabilities and classroom engagement.

Analysis of her publication trajectory reveals a pronounced shift toward dental education research since 2024, with current work focusing on faculty perspectives and standardized assessment tools for critical thinking. Earlier contributions in regenerative dentistry and cancer signaling demonstrate her interdisciplinary approach to biomedical research.

Service Leadership

• College Service: Faculty Development Committee (2021-Present), Research Advisory Committee (2018-Present), Curriculum Committee (2018-Present), Student Admissions Committee (2017-2021)
• University Service: AUFS Faculty Development Committee Chair (2023-Present), Institutional Biosafety Committee (2016-Present), Faculty Development Committee (2020-2023)