By Cristina D’Imperio
Alejandro Jose Almarza, PhD, McGowan affiliated faculty and Associate Professor in Oral Biology in the School of Dental Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh, has received R01 funding from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. The project began in September 2023 and has been funded until August 2024.
Dr. Almarza’s project, “Collaborative for Research to Advance TMD Evidence (CREATE),” proposes to bridge the gap in the understanding of the relationship between temporomandibular disorder (TMD) pain and underlying mechanisms.
A recent study found that approximately 11.5 million adults in the U.S experience pain in or near their temporomandibular joint. While in some instances injury can lead to TMDs, the exact cause is still not clear.
Dr. Almarza’s project seeks to address TMD prevention, the development of effective and personalized TMD therapies, and expanding the current work force of those researching and managing TMD pain by taking a bidirectional translational approach.
The project will include the TMD Collaborative for Improving Patient-Centered Translational Research (TMD Impact). The Collaborative’s goal is to establish a national, interdisciplinary trans-NIH patient-centered research consortium to advance the basic and clinical research, training, and translation to evidence-based treatment.
Dr. Almarza’s study has five key components, which also correspond to the goals of the Collaborative: Clinical Phenotyping, Preclinical Research, Data and Biospecimen Management, Education, and a Stakeholder and Engagement Group.
Find the full abstract for the project and award information here.