Joseph Decker

Joseph Decker, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Cariology, Restorative Sciences, and Endodontics at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry. His research focuses on developing biomaterial-based technologies to map and manipulate intercellular signaling networks in tissues, with applications in oral-systemic health interfaces, safer immunotherapies, and cancer therapy. He leads the Decker Lab, which explores biomaterials, tissue engineering, and regenerative medicine.

Education:

• B.S., Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison
• Ph.D., Materials Science and Engineering, University of Florida
• Postdoctoral Training, Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan

Research Interests: The lab investigates how oral health connects to systemic health, develops immunotherapies to mitigate cytokine release syndrome, and uses live-cell imaging and biomaterial science to reprogram diseased tissue microenvironments. Key areas include biomaterial design for bone loss prevention in periodontitis, synthetic metastatic niches, and dynamic transcriptional profiling of immune cells.

Publications: Recent work includes studies on engineered immunological niches for multiple sclerosis treatment, neutrophil-driven periodontitis mechanisms, and NK cell transcriptional programs in cancer therapy. His research bridges engineering and medicine to address unmet clinical needs in oncology and oral/systemic health.

Awards:

• NIBIB K01 Mentored Research Scientist Development Award

Lab Team & Collaborations: The lab includes graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and DDS candidates. Current projects focus on nanoparticle-based therapies, lung metastasis modeling, and adjuvant development for immunotherapy. Open positions are available for students and fellows.

Contact: jtdecker@umich.edu | University of Michigan School of Dentistry, Ann Arbor, MI