Ramiro Mendonca Murata

Dr. Ramiro Mendonca Murata is an Associate Professor in the Department of Foundational Science at East Carolina University's School of Dental Medicine. He holds a DDS, MS, and PhD from the State University of Campinas (Unicamp), Brazil, and completed postdoctoral fellowships in Mycology and Virology at New York University. His research focuses on understanding how the oral microbiome interacts with its host, particularly the role of Candida species in modulating viral infections. Key areas include drug discovery, pharmacology, and pharmacognosy, with funding from NIH and state grants.

Education:

• DDS, MS, PhD in Oral Biology – State University of Campinas (Unicamp)
• Certificate in Oral Microbiology – University of Rochester
• Postdoctoral Fellowships in Mycology and Virology – NYU

Research Highlights:

• Over 50 peer-reviewed publications
• NIH-funded projects on fungal-host interactions and HIV transmission
• Development of novel antimicrobial drugs targeting oral pathogens

Awards:

• ECU Research and Creative Activity Award
• ECU Outstanding Research Scholars

Grants/Teams:

• PI for NIH/NIDCR R03 DE031190, UNC System SARS-CoV-2 grant, and others
• Mentorship of international students from Brazil, India, Egypt, and other countries
• Led the Candida-host interaction research group