Carmem S. Pfeifer

Dr. Carmem S. Pfeifer is a Professor in the Department of Restorative Dentistry (Division of Biomaterials and Biomechanics) at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) School of Dentistry. She teaches Dental Materials and pre-clinical Restorative Dentistry courses, while advising graduate theses in Pediatric Dentistry. She holds a DDS (2001) and PhD (2007) from the University of São Paulo, Brazil, and completed post-doctoral training at the University of Colorado (2008–2011).

Her research focuses on:

• Innovative polymeric materials for restorative dentistry
• Real-time characterization of polymer properties
• Collagen reinforcement strategies for bonded interfaces
• Self-healing dental composites
• Bioactive material formulations

She has published ~60 articles and serves as a reviewer for NIH/NIDCR and multiple journals.

Awards include:

• TTBD Inventor of the Year (2015)
• Faculty Senate Excellence Award (2017)
• Women in Academic Medicine Discovery Award (2018)
• Weight Professorship in Restorative Dentistry (2022)

Her research is funded by the Oregon Medical Research Foundation, National Science Foundation, and National Institutes of Dental and Craniofacial Research. She holds memberships in the Academy of Dental Materials (Treasurer), International Association for Dental Research (Dental Materials Group President, 2019–2020), American Chemical Society, Sigma Xi, and AADR.