Dr. Lakmali M. Silva joined HSDM from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) where she has been a postdoctoral fellow. Dr. Silva received her Ph.D. from Queensland University in Technology in Australia and her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. During her time at the NIDCR, she has been studying a novel fibrin-neutrophil axis that operates within the periodontal microenvironment to promote alveolar bone destruction. Her work resulted in a breakthrough in understanding the etiology of periodontal disease. She was awarded a K99/R00 Pathway to Independence Award from the NIDCR in 2021, and the IADR Women in Science Award for Distinguished Research in 2022. At HSDM, Silva will further her research of inflammatory regulation in the periodontal microenvironment and beyond.