Dr. Luisa A. DiPietro, the director of the University of Illinois at Chicago Center for Wound Healing and Tissue Regeneration, will be the guest speaker at the 2013 Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine (SIU/SDM) Research Day and Table Clinic Competition on Tuesday, April 9.
DiPietro also is a professor and associate dean for Faculty Affairs at the UIC College of Dentistry.
During the SDM Research Day, DiPietro will offer two lectures: The first, “Tissue specific differences in the response to injury,” from 10:30-11:30 a.m. in Roller Hall on the Alton campus, and the second at 1:15 p.m. on the topic, “Regenerating lost tissue: How advances in oral science will help us grow.” The second lecture will take place in the auditorium of the Center for Professional Advancement, also on the Alton campus.
DiPietro earned a D.D.S. degree and a Ph.D. in immunology from the University of Illinois at Chicago and completed a general practice residency in dentistry at Michael Reese Hospital in Chicago.
From 1993-2006, DiPietro was a member of the faculty of the Loyola University School of Medicine. During that time she served as vice chair of research in the department of surgery, as well as the associate director of the burn and shock trauma institute.
Among her interests are research pursuits, mentoring activities and faculty affairs. DiPietro has said she is fascinated by research and the process of scientific inquiry. She enjoys writing grants.
Her research, which has received continuous funding from the National Institutes for Health (NIH) since 1994, focuses on how wounds heal. Her ultimate goal is to develop therapies that will allow humans to regenerate perfect tissue after injury. As the founding associate dean of faculty affairs, DiPietro is working to revamp the promotion and tenure process, as well as to institute robust programs to support faculty development. She has been active in faculty mentoring initiatives, including organizing and providing workshops on best mentoring practices. DiPietro considers mentoring students and faculty to be one of the best parts of her job.