Ali Nawshad, PhD, a professor in the UNMC College of Dentistry Department of Oral Biology, was recently selected to receive a two-year, $85,000 award from the UNMC Faculty Diversity Fund.
Dr. Nawshad’s research project is aimed at understanding the role of maternal cigarette smoking in cleft palate formation.
“We will investigate and profile signature genes of palatal cleft that were exposed to cigarette smoking during pregnancy, in a mouse model system,” he said.
Dr. Nawshad plans to use the latest 10X genomics gene sequencing technology to identify essential signature genetic and molecular signature transcriptome of genes that are dysregulated in orofacial cleft due to cigarette smoking.
Project collaborators are Hasan Otu, PhD, a professor in the University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Engineering, and Todd Wyatt, PhD, a professor in the UNMC College of Public Health.
“Our goal is to propose novel therapeutic/preventive approach (like folate, retinoic acid and zinc) to pregnant mothers to avoid and/or reverse the effects of cigarette smoking to correct cleft palate deformity,” Dr. Nawshad said.
UNMC Faculty Diversity Fund awards are given to faculty who contribute diverse cultural experiences to UNMC or have a background or special talents that will lead to a more diverse campus environment. Awardees must also demonstrate a track record of commitment to the service of underserved communities and/or patients.
“The UNMC College of Dentistry strives to create a diverse learning community of faculty, students and staff members with different cultural backgrounds,” said Rowen Zetterman, MD, MACP, MACG, interim dean at the College of Dentistry.
“We congratulate Dr. Nawshad on receiving this award to continue his important research in cleft palate formation and contribute to a diverse learning environment,” he said.