DIRECTOR
Nisha J. D’Silva, BDS, MSD, PhD
Donald Kerr Endowed Collegiate Professor
Professor, Department of Periodontics and Oral Medicine, School of Dentistry
Professor of Pathology, Medical School
[email protected] | 734-764=1543
Dr. D’Silva is an oral pathologist, cancer biologist, and educator. Dr. D’Silva is the Donald Kerr Endowed Collegiate Professor of Oral Pathology and Professor of Dentistry at the University of Michigan. She is also Professor of Pathology at the University of Michigan Medical School and a member of the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center. She is Associate Chair in the department of Periodontics and Oral Medicine. Her research in head and neck cancer focuses on biomarkers and molecular mechanisms of tumor progression and treatment resistance. Her research is enhanced by the exceptional environment at the University of Michigan through inter-disciplinary collaborations with great colleagues.
Dr. D’Silva’s research is funded by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research/ National Institutes of Health (NIH). Her work has been recognized by several awards including the Distinguished Scientist Award for Oral Medicine and Pathology Research from the International Association of Dental Research, the Rod Cawson Prize from the International Association of Oral Pathologists and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, and the University of Michigan Crosby Award for women in science and engineering.
Dr. D’Silva received her dental degree at the University of Bombay, India, followed by a Residency in Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology and a Master’s degree at Indiana University, Indianapolis. She received her PhD at the University of Washington, Seattle.
Dr. D’Silva is a Diplomate of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, which is her area of clinical practice. Diagnostic pathology immensely informs her research in cancer biology. Dr. D’Silva enjoys teaching and mentoring students. She has mentored PhD students, clinicians pursuing a PhD, post-doctoral fellows, and undergraduate students. She was honored when current and former students and colleagues nominated her for the Michigan Institute for Clinical & Health Research Distinguished Mentor award which she received in 2013. As Associate Chair she serves the department through a variety of administrative responsibilities.
