Joshua Thomson

Joshua Thomson is an Associate Professor at the School of Dentistry, University of Detroit Mercy, where he teaches microbiology and immunology to dental students, residents, and hygiene students. He coordinates the Summer Undergraduate Research Program and joined the university in 2014.

• Degrees: Ph.D. in Immunology and Microbiology (Wayne State University, 2014), B.S. in Biology (University of Detroit Mercy, 2009)

His research focuses on leveraging natural compounds and bacteriophage as therapeutics against dental pathogens like Streptococcus mutans, studying antimicrobial efficacy of mouthrinses, and improving oral hygiene practices through microbiology-based education. He investigates how dental materials influence bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation.

The Thomson Lab is supported by two grants: Isolation of bacteriophages that target and kill dental pathogens and Effect of simulated brushing with peroxide and non-peroxide dentifrices on physical and microbiological characteristics of orthodontic archwires. Current team members include postdoc Dr. Michael Rowse, dental students Sundoz Kesbeh, Mack Powell, Olivia Manzano, and undergraduate ReBUILDetroit scholars Fatima Herrera and Mohammed Almawiri.