Dr. Parveez Ahamed Abdul Azees

Scientist, Department of Comprehensive Dentistry, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Texas, USA.

Dr. Parveez’s area of research is focused on using novel microbial mouth models and testing translational medicine (toothpaste, mouthrinse) against cariogenic or periodontal bacteria. His research interest includes oral physiology, salivary gland function, geriatrics/gerontology, and oral Candida infections among aging veterans. Currently his main project is focused on Candida-associated denture stomatitis (CADS) which is a common, recurring fungal infection in denture wearers that seriously affects their oral/general health, sometimes even death. Management and prevention of CADS is a significant clinical challenge, particularly among aging veterans in United States of America. The development of their novel rechargeable denture drug technology has the potential to provide personalized CADS management and prevention. Further, this technology may also be used to develop the next generation of antimicrobial medical devices such as catheters, endotracheal tubes, and related devices to fight infection and create a safer healthcare environment. Dr. Parveez is also working on a project related to anti-aging interventions in which they are developing the common marmoset as a novel non-human primate model of oral health aging; at the present, there are no other small non-human primate models available. Ultimately, their project is attempting to initiate translational studies aimed at improving geriatric oral health in human populations.  Thus far, Dr. Parveez’s findings from these initial studies and his continued research have broad public health implications for the prognosis, containment, patient care, treatment, and possibly cure of oral disease in humans, especially in the aging veteran population. Dr. Parveez’s doctoral thesis was focused on developing antimicrobial drugs from microalgae against extended spectrum beta lactamase (ESBL) producing bacteria in vitro. The cytotoxic effect of antimicrobial compound was tested using human cells and zooplankton called copepod as animal model. After completion of his thesis, he became interested in developing in vitro biofilm model and testing the synthetic materials or natural products for inhibiting or controlling biofilm, specifically in the oral cavity because it is a reservoir for entry of any infection or disease.