Oral Medicine, Infection, and Immunity
Department of Oral Medicine, Infection, and Immunity
Advancing the intersection of oral health, systemic health, and immunity through research, education, and clinical care.
Department overview
The Department of Oral Medicine, Infection, and Immunity (OMII) is dedicated to advancing the intersection of oral health, systemic health, and immunity through research, education, and clinical care.
OMII is a growing department committed to cutting-edge research, clinical excellence, and the training of postgraduate students in oral and maxillofacial pathology, oral medicine, and periodontology. The department integrates students at the predoctoral and postdoctoral levels into research laboratories and mentoring relationships, fostering scholarly inquiry and professional development.
Supported by a range of government and private-sector grants, including a National Institutes of Health (NIH) training grant, OMII is at the forefront of cultivating leaders in dental medicine and research. Additionally, the department offers special programs that enable Harvard School of Dental Medicine (HSDM) students to learn from and interact with nationally recognized academics.
Associated degree programs
Explore our associated degree programs, designed for hands-on training and career advancement.
Clinical expertise
The department provides critical clinical services that bridge oral health and systemic health, including:
- Oral Medicine Consultation Services: Based at the Division of Oral Medicine and Dentistry at Brigham and Women’s Hospital.
- Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology/Diagnostic Services: Delivered through the biopsy service at Pathology Services Incorporated, a surgical pathology reference laboratory specializing in oral and maxillofacial pathology and skin pathology.
Research and Innovation
OMII is at the forefront of research in oral medicine, infection, and immunity. With projects funded by prominent grants and fellowships, the department drives innovation in areas such as:
- Pathogenesis of oral diseases
- Interactions between oral and systemic health
- Immune system mechanisms related to oral health
OMII’s commitment to scholarly excellence fosters collaboration and supports predoctoral and postdoctoral research opportunities.
OMII news
Discover how our research, education, and clinical care continue to advance the science of growth, development, and repair.
Slug slime inspires adhesive hydrogel for treating oral lesions
A slug-inspired adhesive patch from Harvard may soon revolutionize dental care, sealing wounds and treating painful oral lesions with sutureless precision.
Exploring how AI can enhance dental education
Immune dictionary reveals deepest-yet view into workings of the immune system
Department chair
Magda Feres
Magda_Feres@hsdm.harvard.edu