Dr. Frank Nichols 
Division of Periodontology, University of Connecticut

Dr. Frank Nichols, DDS, PhD, is Professor in the Division of Periodontology of the University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine. He has served as curriculum director for undergraduate Periodontics didactic/clinical program, as well as the Periodontics residency program director. In addition to didactic and clinical teaching responsibilities, he is engaged in basic research involving unique bacterial-host interactions in periodontal disease and related systemic diseases. His work has characterized structural and biological properties of phosphorylated dihydroceramides, and more recently, his lab has characterized novel serine/glycine lipids produced by the periodontal pathogen, Porphyromonas gingivalis, and other members of the Bacteroidetes phylum. Characterization of these lipid classes utilized a variety of analytical chemical approaches. The biological properties of these lipids are relevant to periodontal diseases as well as autoimmune and chronic inflammatory diseases including atherosclerosis. .

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