Biography

I graduated and practised as a dentist in Yemen before obtaining a PhD in 2017 from King's College London in Biomaterialas and Salivary research investigating the role of salivary pellicle, proteins/minerals on erosive tooth wear under the supervision of Prof. Rebecca Moazzez, Prof. David Bartlett and Prof. Guy Carpenter. I also have an MSc from University of Bristol Dental School and PGCE from Cardiff University. I lectured on a variety of dental and biomedical programmes across universities and further education colleges. I was appointed in 2022 as a lecturer at the University of Portsmouth Dental Academy, shortly after was awarded the Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, and in 2023 became the Department Director of Postgraduate Research. I also participate on a number of international scientific boards and act as an external examiner for dental schools in the UK.

Research interests

My current research interests lie in the areas of erosive tooth wear and the role of salivary proteins, minerals and pellicle in dental erosion and remineralisation looking into the function and modification of salivary proteins in oral health and disease. I am interested in measuring salivary pellicle/proteins and oral microbiome and study their interactions to oral tissues and dental materials. In this, I am keen to investigate the properties of ename, dentine and dental biomaterials to develop biomimetics aesthetic restorations. I am also happy to consider projects/PhD students in dental education including clinical haptic simulation, and projects that would inform FE and undergraduate students in making better dental career choices and progression.

Supervised Research Degrees

PhD Projects

1. Samina Zaheer
   PhD – First Supervisor, in collaboration with the University of Leeds
   Title: Investigation of the impact of sugary and acidic foods on dental erosion
2. Saagarika Sharma
   PhD – First Supervisor, with the School of Psychology, Sport and Health Sciences, Loughborough and Plymouth Universities
   Title: Effect of dental non-surgical treatment and chlorhexidine (CHX) mouthwash on the oral microbiome, salivary proteins, and salivary pellicle
3. Rajaa Shdaifat
   PhD – First Supervisor, with the School of Medicine, Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences
   Title: Surface characteristics, cytotoxicity, and microbial adhesion of 3D-printed vs traditional materials for dentures and aligners
4. Sandra Usidamen
   PhD – Second Supervisor, with the School of Medicine, Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences
   Title: Investigation into the factors affecting biofilm formation on natural and synthetic dental materials
5. Fernando Duarte
   PhD – Second Supervisor
   Title: Masseter Muscle Adaptation Following Orthognathic Surgery

Master’s (MRes) Projects

1. Theai San
   MRes – Impact of chlorhexidine on the oral microbiome and salivary proteins
2. Lawal Alimat
   MRes – Effect of different concentrations of chlorhexidine mouthwash on Nitarte-reducing activity.