The University of Michigan School of Dentistry
The mouth provides us with remarkable sensations.
We bite into, adeptly manipulate, and crunch foods without inflicting self-injury. Our dentition and supporting structures routinely tolerate extreme forces of mastication, yet they also allow us to discern minuscule changes in bite and unanticipated hard particulates in food. We hardly notice these forces in normal chewing function; however, if the teeth are damaged and the dental pulps become inflamed, their sensory input is altered and we begin to experience excruciating pain – the toothache.
In thinking about these phenomena, we also wonder: What makes the tongue and lips profoundly sensitive to touch? How do common components (i.e., sensory neurons) provide us with unique sensations from distinct tissues? What makes our mouth feel dry? Why is tooth pain exquisite? And how do we inherently “know” the position of our teeth, jaws, and tongue when we eat and speak?
The Emrick lab is interested in answering these types of questions (and others) by studying the molecules, cells, and circuitry of the sensory nervous system innervating the mouth, head, and neck. To this end we use a number of state-of-the-art techniques to study trigeminal somatosensory neurons including 1) multiround, multiplex in situ hybridization and machine learning algorithm-guided transcriptional classification, 2) viral and genetic approaches for tracing connectivity and manipulating function using opto-/chemogenetics, and 3) an in vivo imaging platform to monitor responses to oral tissue stimulation at single-cell resolution. Above all, we want to understand how the sensory nervous system encodes oral and craniofacial information, contributes to normal tissue function, and ultimately drives reflexes and perceptions.
Dr. Joshua Emrick is an assistant professor in the Department of Biologic and Materials Sciences & Prosthodontics at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry. He was awarded his D.D.S. and Ph.D. in oral and craniofacial biology from the University of California - San Francisco School of Dentistry, completing his dissertation with Dr. David Julius (Nobel Prize, 2021). Prior to joining Michigan, Dr. Emrick conducted his postdoctoral studies as a Dental Clinical Research Fellow at the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) with Dr. Nicholas Ryba.
Dr. Emrick is a U-M Biological Sciences Scholar (2021) and has support from a NIDCR Career Transition Award (K22) and a RE-JOIN Consortium Award (UC2).
The Emrick lab is actively recruiting members to join our budding research group on Central Campus.
Importantly, lab members are expected contribute to a culture that embraces curiosity, integrity, excitement, respect, and cooperation. We will do our best to enjoy working hard together.
If you are excited about joining our group, please contact Dr. Joshua Emrick (jjemrick@umich.edu) with an up-to-date CV as well as a cover letter describing your research interest, relevant experience, and career goals. Feel free to forward as appropriate.
Research Lab Technician
B.S. Biochemistry, 2023
Hometown: Ottawa, Illinois
Email: argandhi@umich.edu
Interests: My general interests lie in understanding the mechanisms behind sensory perception. I strive to use methods in computational biology as a toolkit for understanding how neurons process and integrate sensory information. During my free time, I enjoy playing tennis, going on walks, and eating new foods.Research Lab Technician
B.S. Biochemistry, University of Michigan, 2023
Email: conbri@umich.edu
Hometown: Chicago, Illinois
Interests: I enjoy delving into complex molecular mechanisms through molecular techniques and computational algorithms. Currently, I am studying how tooth-innervating sensory neurons affect behavior in murine models. For leisure, I stay active by playing outside and expressing myself through piano.
Research Lab Technician
B.A. Biology, Brown University, 2021
Email: argandhi@umich.edu
Hometown: Bloomfield Hills, MI
Interests: As an aspiring dental student currently taking a gap year, I am utilizing this time to delve into the world of research. Prior to this, I gained invaluable experience as a dental assistant in Boston, where I honed my skills and developed a deeper passion for oral healthcare. When I'm not in the lab, you can find me playing hockey, watching a thrilling horror movie, spending quality time with my family, or listening to The Lumineers.
Postdoctoral Fellow
B.S. Neuroscience, University of Michigan
M.S. Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan
Ph.D. Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, 2022
Email: lizronan@umich.edu
Hometown: Royal Oak, Michigan
Interests:My research broadly aims to understand how animals sense their external world to produce behavioral outputs. Currently, I am focused on uncovering the neural and molecular mechanisms by which structures within the oral cavity detect and transduce various sensory cues, including touch, temperature, and pain.
Oral Health Sciences, DDS/PhD Student
B.S. Genetics and Developmental Biology, Cornell University, 2020
Email: skperry@umich.edu
Hometown: Blauvelt, NY
Interests: I am interested in sensory neuroscience and the interpretation of pain. My current research project is about elucidating the innervation of the temporomandibular joint and understanding how these neurons play a role in chronic pain. In my free time, you can find me cycling (both indoor and outdoor), long walks with my dog, or trying to make new recipes.
Neuroscience PhD Student
B.S. Neuroscience, Bucknell University, 2021
Email: cdeanna@umich.edu
Hometown: Pequannock, NJ
Interests: I am broadly interested in sensory neuroscience and neuroimmunology. My current research is focused on mapping the sensory neurons that innervate the salivary glands and understanding how these neurons may regulate saliva production and composition. Outside of the lab, you can find me hiking with my dog, reading sci-fi/fantasy, playing Zelda, or tap dancing.
Undergraduate Student
B.S. Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience, University of Michigan, 2024
Email: itb@umich.edu
Hometown: Escanaba, MI
Interests: I am broadly interested in molecular neuroscience and how our craniofacial research relates to real-life medical applications. After exploring research, I plan to pursue my interests by attending dental school. Outside of the lab, I enjoy exercising, reading, playing tennis, and 3D printing.
Lab Manager, Research Lab Specialist
B.S. Neuroscience, Michigan State University, 2023
Email: leend@umich.edu
Hometown: Canton, MI
Interests: I’m passionate about connecting people across cultures, which align with my aspirations to earn a PhD in Industrial-Organizational Psychology, where I hope to conduct research and develop programs to aid in bridging gaps in education. When I'm not working, I enjoy channeling my creativity through art, exploring new coffee shops and restaurants, traveling, and reading.
Mak Guenther
Former Research Lab Specialist, Lab Manager
Simon Lafleur
Former U-M Life Sciences Institute Perrigo Fellow
October 27, 2022 | NIH News
Understanding and treating joint pain is important to improving long-term health—and a fundamental part of the NIAMS mission. With that imperative in mind, I’m delighted that NIAMS is supporting a new Consortium that may lead us closer to ultimately being able to restore joint health.
Read Full ArticleNov 2, 2022 | U-M Dent News
A University of Michigan School of Dentistry faculty member is among researchers joining an important National Institutes of Health (NIH) initiative focused on improving prevention and treatment strategies for opioid addiction, and enhancing pain management.
Read Full ArticleOct 4, 2021 | UCSF News
David Julius, PhD, professor and chair of the Department of Physiology and Morris Herzstein Chair in Molecular Biology and Medicine at UC San Francisco, has won the 2021 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.
Read Full ArticleSept 13, 2019 | Dentistry Today
Researchers at UC San Francisco and the University of Queensland have discovered a scorpion toxin that targets the "wasabi receptor," a chemical-sensing protein found in nerve cells that's responsible for the sinus-jolting sting of wasabi and the flood of tears associated with chopping onions.
Read Full ArticleJune 10, 2021 | AADOCR
Joshua Emrick is a scientist and dentist with an interest in oral somatosensation, particularly pain.
Read Full ArticleBSSP
The Biological Sciences Scholars Program (BSSP) provides start-up funds to recruit outstanding scientists in key areas of life sciences investigation. The goal of the program is to develop a new generation of leaders in bioscience research at the University of Michigan.
Read Full ArticleEmail: jjemrick@umich.edu
Telephone: (734) 763-1080
Fax: (734) 763-3453
Twitter: @jjemrick