Brian Schmidt, DDS, MD, PhD, Named Director of the Bluestone Center for Clinical Research

Brian Schmidt, DDS, MD, PhD (pictured at left), an oral and maxillofacial surgeon specializing in oral cancer, pain, and genomics, has been named Director of the Bluestone Center for Clinical Research at the NYU College of Dentistry. Schmidt’s appointment, effective July 1, 2010, was announced by Charles N. Bertolami, DDS, DMedSc, the Herman Robert Fox Dean of the NYU College of Dentistry. Bertolami also announced Schmidt’s appointment as a tenured professor of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.

The Bluestone Center for Clinical Research is dedicated entirely to the development, implementation, performance, and analysis of clinical research. Schmidt, who holds an MD degree and a PhD in oral biology as well as a DDS degree, will bring a medically related focus to the Center.

Prior to joining NYU, Schmidt was at the University of California, San Francisco, as Director of the Oral and Maxillofacial Oncology Fellowship and of the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Residency Training Program, and, more recently, as Vice Chair of the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. His primary areas of interest are the identification of diagnostic and predictive oral cancer biomarkers and the etiology of oral cancer pain. He is also engaged with clinical oral cancer research projects.

“This is an exciting appointment,” Bertolami said. “Over the past decade, the NYU College of Dentistry has built a reputation for leadership in the areas of oral cancer screening, awareness, early intervention, and basic science research. Now, with the appointment of Dr. Schmidt, we have a strong leader who can advance this oral cancer portfolio to the next level through his ability to deal with symptom management and care of cancer patients.”

Schmidt’s research has been consistently funded by the NIH, including the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research and the National Cancer Institute. Most recently, he was awarded a grant of more than $3.5 million by an anonymous donor to advance his research in his new position at the NYU College of Dentistry.