Department Co-Chairpersons

Homayon Asadi
Professor of Biomedical Sciences

David M Ojcius
Professor of Biomedical Sciences


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Homayon Asadi
Professor of Biomedical Sciences
B.A., San Jose State University, 1984
D.D.S., University of the Pacific, 1988

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Takahiro Chino
Associate Professor of Biomedical Sciences
B.D.S., Matsumoto Dental University, 1991
Certificate, Matsumoto Dental University, 1993
Certificate, University of Medicine Dentistry of New Jersey, 2010
D.D.S., Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, 1991
M.S.D., Indiana University School of Dentistry, 1999
Other, American Dental Education Association (ADEA)/Academy for Academic Leadership (AAL) Institute for Teaching and Learning (IRL), 2013
Other, Indiana University School of Dentistry, 1996
Ph.D., University of Washington, 2008

Cassio Luiz Coutinho Almeida da Silva
Assistant Professor of Biomedical Sciences
B.Sc., Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, 2011
Ph.D., Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, 2017
S.M., Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, 2014

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Dorothy Dechant
Assistant Professor of Biomedical Sciences
B.A., University of California, Berkeley, 1973
M.A., University of California, Berkeley, 1978
Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley, 1982

Nejat A Duzgunes
Professor of Biomedical Sciences
BS, Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey, 1972
Other, University of California, San Francisco, 1981
PhD, State University of New York at Buffalo, 1978

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Xiaoyuan Han
Assistant Professor of Biomedical Sciences
B.S., China Pharmaceutical University, 2006
M.S., China Pharmaceutical University, 2009
Ph.D., University of the Pacific, 2014
Postdoctoral training, Stanford University, 2019

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Matthew Milnes
Instructor of Biomedical Sciences
BS, California Lutheran University, 1997
DDS, University of the Pacific School of Dentistry, 2003
MS, University of the Pacific, 2000

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David M Ojcius
Professor of Biomedical Sciences
BA, University of California, Berkeley, 1979
PhD, University of California, Berkeley, 1986

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Gary D Richards
Professor of Biomedical Sciences
B.A., University of California at Berkeley, 1980
M.A., University of California at Berkeley, 1984
PhD, University of California at Berkeley, 2007

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Aline Souza
Associate Professor of Biomedical Sciences
B.Sc., Estacio de Sa University, 2010
M.Sc., Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, 2012
Ph.D., Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, 2016

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Der Thor
Associate Professor of Biomedical Sciences
BS, University of the Pacific, 2000
MS, University of the Pacific, 2003
PhD, University of the Pacific, 2009

Scott P Turner
Assistant Professor of Biomedical Sciences
A.B., Columbia University, 1994
M.A., University of California, Berkeley, 1997

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Nan Xiao
Associate Professor of Biomedical Sciences
D.D.S., Peking University, 2003
MS, Peking University - School of Stomatology, 2005
PhD, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, 2009

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Benjamin D Zeitlin
Associate Professor of Biomedical Sciences
BSc, University of Strathclyde, 1992
PhD, Sheffield Hallam University, 2000

Course Descriptions

Predoctoral Courses

BMS 110. Clinical Pharmacology. 1 Unit.

The course will focus on an overview of the foundational knowledge of pharmacology with an emphasis on content applicable to the day-to-day clinical practice of dentistry. The pharmacology component of the course will center on dental drug knowledge and recognition including dosing and adverse events. The general principles of drug action, including pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of dental drug categories will be addressed. This will include a focus on common drug interactions with dental drugs.

BMS 120. Genetics. 1 Unit.

Introduction to genetics, hereditary medicine, genetics assessment, and genetics and diseases.

BMS 123. Anatomy and Histology. 8 Units.

The student will gain an understanding of functional histology and gross anatomy of the human body as appropriate for professional health care providers. Emphasis will be on the integration of anatomical knowledge at all levels and its correlation with basic clinical medicine relevant to dentistry.

BMS 124. Applied Biochemistry. 2 Units.

The study of major molecular structures and processes of the human organism. Muscles, neurons, action potentials, extracellular matrix. Additional topics covered are enzymes, pharmacology, pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, anesthesia, and pain.

BMS 130. Applied Physiology. 4 Units.

Clinical application of physiology based on integrated basic biomedical science, including Physiology, Biochemistry, Anatomy and Histology; with specific focus on urinary system, blood vessels and lymphoid organs, heart, GI tract, liver, pancreas, gall bladder, airways and endocrinology.

BMS 133. Applied Orofacial Anatomy. 7 Units.

The student will gain a fundamental understanding of head and neck embryology, gross anatomy, oral histology as is appropriate for dental healthcare providers. Emphasis will be placed on the integration of anatomical and functional histological knowledge of the orofacial complex at all levels with basic clinical dentistry and medicine. The establishment of clinical correlations with radiographic interpretation, local anesthesia administration and the overall health will be a strength of this course.

BMS 143. Applied Oral Biology. 1 Unit.

The focus of this course is to provide the fundamental concepts of applied oral biology for understanding and application of clinical dentistry. Topics include biochemistry of saliva and hydroxy apatite, gene expression, special senses, central nervous system and salivary gland.

BMS 220. Pharmacology. 5 Units.

Introduction to pharmacology. Pharmacodynamics; pharmacokinetics; local anesthesia; analgesics; prescription writing; anxiolytics; cardiovascular pharmacology; drug interactions; antibiotics; autonomics; immunopharmacology; drugs and hematology, pregnancy, aging; asthma and COPD; antihistamines; corticosteroids; calcium regulation; antifungals, antivirals; alternative therapy; gastrointestinal pharmacology; nitrous; anticancer drugs; general anesthetics; thyroid drugs; neuromuscular; anti-Parkinsons, anti-Alzheimers; psychosis; anti-seizures; anti-sposmatic; substance abuse; opioid crisis; diabetes.

BMS 232. Immunology & Microbiology. 3 Units.

Introduction to immunology and microbiology, immunity to infection, oral microbiology and immunology, and dental plaque.

BMS 233. Virology & Mycology. 1 Unit.

Introduction to virology and mycology, immunity to viral and fungal infection, oral virology and mycology.

BMS 234. Application of Integrated Biomedical Sciences. 5 Units.

BMS 234 is a hybrid course. All aspects of this course will be online with the exception of quizzes and exams. Students will apply and integrate knowledge taught in didactic courses to learn and understand medical conditions. This course will expose students to over 150 medical conditions and the process of preparing peer-reviewed literature. All learning will be independent. Students will rely mostly on their peers and knowledge accumulated in didactic courses to help guide their learning. The medical conditions to be learned during this course are divided into two sets, medical conditions A (MC-A) and medical conditions B (MC-B). For MC-A, student will select one medical condition from a list and generate a guided report which will be peer-reviewed and edited. These reports will be shared with the class for learning. Formative assessment will be online through Canvas. Summative assessment will be through ExamSoft cumulative of all information relevant to the medical conditions. MC-B are a select list of medical conditions that have significant relevance to dentistry. Accumulating information on and learning of these select medical conditions will be the responsibility of each student. These tasks will be accomplished independently of instructors. Understanding of these medical conditions will be formatively assessed through oral examination. Any aspect of these medical conditions may be asked during the oral exam. Passing of oral exam is required to pass the course. Summative assessment will test students' ability to apply this knowledge to understanding medical and dental cases.

Graduate Courses

AN 410. Advanced Head and Neck Anatomy I. 1 Unit.

This course presents head and neck anatomy in depth to provide residents essential foundation for dental procedures. The development of normal and pathological craniofacial shapes, as well as anatomical structures relevant for implant placement, are discussed in detail. (Quarter 1.).

BMS 400. Directed or Independent Research. 2-10 Units.

Approved directed or independent research on existing or emerging topics in the biomedical, clinical, or educational fields.

BMS 401. Research Philosophy and Design I. 1 Unit.

In this two-quarter foundational course, students learn about hypothesis-driven research, including hypothesis development and significance testing. (Quarter 1.).

BMS 440. Thesis Protocol. 1 Unit.

In this independent-study research course, residents work with mentor(s) to develop research questions, formulate hypotheses, and write a formal research proposal that includes a full literature review, statement of material and methods, execution of the research, and appropriate analysis and interpretation of data. (Quarter 2.).

BMS 450. Research Project I. 3 Units.

In this independent-study research course, residents work with research mentors to perform the research project, including data gathering, complilation, and interpretation of the results. The course will culminate in a publishable manuscript.(Quarters 1-4.).

BMS 502. Biomedical Science. 1 Unit.

The course will review the embryology, anatomy, bone biology, microbiology, immunology, pathology for dental profession. Emphasis will be on the integration of biomedical sciences knowledge and their relationship with oral health in clinical orthodontics.

BMS 550. Research Project II. 3 Units.

In this independent-study research course, residents work with research mentors to perform the research project, including data gathering, complilation, and interpretation of the results. The course will culminate in a publishable manuscript. (Quarters 5-8.).

BMS 651. Manuscript Preparation. 3 Units.

Residents prepare the final version of a publishable manuscript. (Quarter 9.).