Mariana Bezamat Chappel serves as an Assistant Professor at the University of Pittsburgh and is a trained dentist, having earned her DDS degree from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro in 2013. She completed her PhD in Oral and Craniofacial Sciences at the University of Pittsburgh in 2021. During her doctoral studies, she was awarded a fellowship by the Clinical and Translational Science Institute continuing her research as a TL1 postdoctoral fellow. As a faculty member, she was selected for the AADOCR MIND the Future program, as well as the PRIDE Cardiovascular Disease Comorbidities, Genetics, and Epidemiology (PRIDE CVD-CGE) funded by the NHLBI in 2022. Currently, her lab interests lie in multi-omics research, with a particular focus on phenomics, a branch of biology that explores human traits and examines the effects of genetic variation and environmental influences on these traits. To date, her efforts resulted in 24 peer-reviewed publications and participation on over 10 National and International meetings.
Please briefly describe your background and research interests.
I am interested in multi-omics projects aimed at elucidating the etiology of oral diseases and their interactions with systemic and general health conditions. My investigations are centered around identifying patterns of oral diseases that correlate with distinct genomic, phenotypic, and metabolic profiles, particularly in relation to cancers and cardiovascular diseases. During my postdoctoral studies, I focused on uncovering phenotypic and genetic markers of oral health associated with various cancers. Recently, following my receipt of the PRIDE CVD-CGE training award and grant funding, we have been exploring the influence of prevalent dental diseases on the etiology of subclinical atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases.
What has been the most valuable benefit of AADOCR membership to you?
The membership provides invaluable networking opportunities. Most of my training has been at the University of Pittsburgh, and my involvement with AADOCR, particularly through Mind the Future Program, has facilitated connections with scientists and professionals from different universities, encompassing a wide range of research interests and backgrounds.
What was the biggest impact the AADOCR Mind the Future Program had on you, either personally or professionally?
From a professional perspective, meeting highly accomplished colleagues and establishing connections and mentorship relationships with them was an exceptional experience. On a personal level, the Mind the Future Program has introduced me to a community of compassionate and supportive friends. These relationships represent invaluable benefits of being a mentee in the Mind the Future initiative, and they will be advantageous throughout both my personal life and career.
Are you going to next year’s AADOCR Annual Meeting in New York? If so, which parts are you most looking forward to?
Certainly! I am looking forward to the upcoming AADOCR annual meeting next year as this event will provide great opportunities for professional networking and the dissemination of our research findings. Additionally, I am particularly excited about my mentees’ involvement, as they will be submitting their abstracts. I look forward to the opportunity of witnessing their achievements showcased at such a prestigious scientific meeting.
What is the best way for other members to become more involved in AADOCR?
In addition to submitting research abstracts and engaging in meetings and committees, there are many opportunities for networking, fellowships, and awards that enable members to increase their involvement in the AADOCR.