معرفی
Ping Zhang is a Professor of Pediatric Dentistry at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) School of Dentistry since 2004, with additional appointments as Senior Scientist in UAB's School of Medicine departments including Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, and Center for Clinical and Translational Science. Their research bridges dental science and systemic health through immunological mechanisms, focusing on osteoclast biology, periodontal disease, and innovative vaccine adjuvants. Zhang holds concurrent roles in the Civitan International Research Center and Comprehensive Arthritis Center.
- Ph.D. in Oral Biology (1997) and DDS (1992) from Hubei University of Medicine
- Board-certified pediatric dentist with NIH-funded research
Research highlights include:
- Defining RANK/IVVY motif's role in Porphyromonas gingivalis-induced bone loss
- Developing structurally-defined saponin adjuvants from Momordica cochinchinensis
- Elucidating age-related immunological changes in bone metabolism
- Discovering oral-gut translocation of periodontal pathogens in metabolic disorders
Recent publications emphasize calcium silicate cements for pulp therapy, chromatin regulation in osteoclasts, and microRNA-based therapies for dental inflammation.
Ping Zhang serves on multiple graduate committees and teaches courses on oral microbiology and pediatric dentistry research. They have received extramural funding from NIH (NIDCR, NIAID, NIGMS) and industry partners for vaccine adjuvant development and periodontal disease mechanisms.
