Dr. Brian L. Schmidt, 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. Dr. Schmidt’s appointment, effective July 1, 2010, was announced by Dr. Charles N. Bertolami, the Herman Robert Fox Dean of the NYU College of Dentistry. Dean Bertolami also announced Dr. Schmidt’s appointment as a tenured Professor of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.

Dr. Brian Schmidt Named Director, Bluestone Center for Clinical Research, NYU College of Dentistry

Dr. Brian L. Schmidt, 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. Dr. Schmidt’s appointment, effective July 1, 2010, was announced by Dr. Charles N. Bertolami, the Herman Robert Fox Dean of the NYU College of Dentistry. Dean Bertolami also announced Dr. Schmidt’s appointment as a tenured Professor of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.

Dr. Schmidt’s selection as Director of the Bluestone Center comes after an intensive search following the passing of the center’s founding director, Dr. Jonathan Ship, in 2008. The Bluestone Center for Clinical Research is dedicated entirely to the development, implementation, performance, and analysis of clinical research in an environment that combines academic excellence with industry’s efficiency and speed. Dr. 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 Bluestone Center.

Prior to joining NYU, Dr. 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. 

 

At UC San Francisco, Dr. Schmidt was responsible for the evaluation and comprehensive surgical management of thousands of patients with head and neck pathology with particular emphasis on oral cancer. His research and clinical programs are closely integrated and his research addresses the challenges he faces in the clinical management of these patients. 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,” said Dean Bertolami.  “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.”

Because of his background, Dr. Schmidt is also uniquely equipped to develop synergies both within the NYU College of Dentistry oral cancer faculty and beyond. Indeed, Dr. Schmidt’s expertise in the area of symptom management perfectly complements the core mission of the NYU College of Nursing, which is part of the College of Dentistry. The NYU College of Nursing is currently seeking to recruit someone with special expertise in symptom management.

Dr. 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.

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