Thomas Diekwisch
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Thomas G.H. Diekwisch, D.M.D., Ph.D. (sc.), Ph.D. (phil.), is Professor and Head, Department of Oral Biology, University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry; Allan G. Brodie Endowed Chair for Orthodontic Research; Director, Brodie Laboratory for Craniofacial Genetics; Professor of Anatomy, Cell Biology, Bioengineering, and Periodontics; Member, Center for Molecular Biology of Oral Diseases; and Member, Graduate Faculty, at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Born in Bielefeld, Germany, Dr. Diekwisch received his university education in dental medicine (1980-1986) and philosophy (1986-1990) from the Philipps-University of Marburg. In 1986, Dr. Diekwisch became a D.M.D., followed in 1988 by a "summa cum laude" Ph.D. for his work on extracellular matrix proteins in tooth development in the Department of Anatomy. In 2005, Diekwisch was awarded a Ph.D. in Philosophy with “magna cum laude.” His thesis on a constructivist approach toward the mind-body problem received a “valde laudatione” evaluation.
From 1986 to 1990, Dr. Diekwisch worked as a lecturer, clinical instructor, and research associate in the Departments of Anatomy and Periodontics at the Philipps-University. In 1990, he moved to the United States to study as a postdoctoral fellow in craniofacial biology under the direction of the former National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) Director Dr. Harold C. Slavkin at the University of Southern California.
In 1994, he became a junior faculty member at Baylor College of Dentistry in Dallas, TX, where he created an award-winning community science education outreach program entitled “Habitat for Science.” At Baylor, Dr. Diekwisch was promoted to the rank of Associate Professor with Tenure in 2001.
In 2001, Dr. Diekwisch was recruited to the University of Illinois at Chicago to become the first Director of the Brodie Laboratory for Craniofacial Genetics and the Allan G. Brodie Endowed Chair. In 2003, he was appointed Head of the Department of Oral Biology at UIC and one year later promoted to the rank of Full Professor with Tenure. Besides Oral Biology, Dr. Diekwisch holds appointments in Anatomy and Cell Biology, Bioengineering, Orthodontics, and Periodontics.
Diekwisch discovered and characterized a gene, CP27, that plays an important role in craniofacial development. Other research areas include the development and evolution of tooth enamel and periodontal tissues as well as craniofacial tissue engineering. Presently, he serves as a Principal Investigator on an NIDCR planning grant for tooth regeneration. His research is supported by four NIDCR and National Science Foundation (NSF) grants averaging $1 million per year. In addition to his research and administrative duties, he maintains an active teaching program in Oral Biology.
