Prof. Nagihan Bostanci is a Professor of Inflammation Research (Periodontics) and Head of International Affairs at Karolinska Institutet's Department of Dental Medicine. She leads the Master's Degree in Odontology and Oral Health program and holds roles as President of the Microbiology/Immunology Group of the International Association for Dental Research (IADR) and previously served as President of the IADR Periodontal Research Group. Her academic background includes a PhD from the University of London, specialty training at Ege University and UCL, and Habilitation in Oral Biology at the University of Zurich. Research focuses on periodontal homeostasis, inflammatory pathogenesis, and translational approaches for early diagnosis and targeted therapies. Key interests include salivary proteomics, host-microbe interactions, and biomarker discovery. Teaching expertise spans periodontology, diagnostics, and inflammatory pathways at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. She holds certifications in Learning and Teaching (CILT) and is an Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (AFHEA). Major honors include the IADR Sigmund Socransky Young Investigator Award (2014), Philips Oral Healthcare Young Investigator Grant (2009), and Sir Wilfred Fish Prize (2007). Recent grants include Horizon Europe funding for the DELIVER project (€5M) to improve oral care quality and a 2021 award for early tooth loss research. Active in professional leadership, she serves on the editorial board of the Journal of Dental Research and chairs international initiatives in oral microbiology and immunology. Research teams investigate proteome shifts in oral fluids, microbiome dynamics in periodontitis, and clinical applications of biomarkers. Collaborations include studies on peri-implantitis pathogenesis, microbial diagnostics, and the role of intermittent fasting in oral health. Current projects explore aMMP-8 point-of-care testing for disease monitoring and host modulation therapies.










