Research
College Collaborates with University of Sao Paulo, Brazil Fernando Luis Esteban Florez, D.D.S., M.S., Ph.D., came to the OU College of Dentistry from the Sao Paulo State University, Brazil, in 2012, recruited for post-doctoral research specific to dentistry. Working closely with Sharukh Khajotia, B.D.S., M.S., Ph.D., associate dean for research and innovation, Dr. Esteban Florez’s area of research leverages his expertise in nanoparticle synthesis and novel dental bio-materials. His connections within Brazil’s scientific community held the keys to establishing long-term collaborative relationships with multiple groups. In the years since his arrival at the college, Dr. Esteban Florez, who heads the Division of Dental Biomaterials, has been instrumental in the acceleration of international collaboration. Previously, Khajotia was the only faculty member with any international ties, and collaborative efforts were not ongoing in nature. Dr. Esteban Florez was able to build upon
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existing relationships to establish focused, sustained collaboration with universities highly regarded for their research activities with applications in the field of dentistry. Dr. Esteban Florez has also established significant collaborations across the United States. The college is now hosting its third Brazilian Ph.D. student and expects to host a faculty member who will spend a month in onsite labs. In what represents a true exchange of talent and personnel, Dr. Esteban Florez recently spent six weeks in Brazil, working on various projects. He leads a research team whose innovations in new antibacterial nanoparticles promise to generate significant intellectual property. “Historically, we’ve worked most closely with UNESP and State University of Campinas School of Dentistry at Piracicaba, Brazil,” explained Dr. Esteban Florez. “Over the years, we have developed a collaborative relationship with two others. Significantly, our collaboration with University Positivo, in the Brazilian state of Parana, has been most productive to date, in terms of published papers. In addition, students from Positivo have worked in our labs, conducting meaningful
research in material development and characterizations.” Dr. Khajotia said, “The broader picture is that we have this amazing two-way collaboration, producing not only published articles, but building support for NIH grant applications forthcoming from Dr. Esteban Florez. Further, nanoparticle technology will translate to myriad products and different types of products in dentistry, as well as applications in an array of engineering specialties.” One Brazilian university is working with nanoparticles and novel materials for wound dressings, an area of innovation with potentially sweeping impact. “For example, dressings used in the treatment of burn victims become contaminated quickly. Wound dressings infused with antibacterial nanoparticles promise to dramatically reduce the problem of contamination and infection associated with this type of injury.” Early in this initiative, the nanoparticle subject couldn’t be pursued comprehensively in the facilities at the college. “As dentists, we lacked the necessary expertise and equipment to actually do the work in our labs. Therefore, we had to establish collaborations with
Th e U n i v e r s i t y o f O k l a h o m a C o l l e g e o f D e n t i s t r y / 2 0 22 M a g a z i n e
