Jessica Rosin, Ph.D., has accomplished a lot in her short time at the University of British Columbia (UBC). Since joining the
UBC Faculty of Dentistry as an assistant professor last year, the
Rosin Lab is up and running and Dr. Rosin was recently announced as the
Tier 2 Canada Research Chair (CRC) in Immune Regulation of Developmental Programs, making history as the first researcher in the UBC Faculty to hold a Tier 2 CRC position.
“I feel very grateful to have been awarded this chair position!” says Dr. Rosin. “I have colleagues who have held chair positions for several years, and it’s something they take a lot of pride in, so I’m excited to be part of this cohort and share in this unique opportunity to
advance my research.”
Tier 2 CRCs are awarded to exceptional emerging researchers like Dr. Rosin, who are on track to become leaders in their field. The Rosin Lab is focused on immune cells and how they communicate with other cells during pregnancy to result in the fetal development of the face and brain. The goal is to understand how
immune cells contribute to the development of the fetus and how disruptions—such as stress or infection—impact the fetus and potentially lead to developmental disorders.
Once her team has a solid grasp on the role of immune cells in fetal development, they plan to study different models of infection that relate to the oral cavity, such as gingivitis. Using animal models, the Rosin lab will look at how maternal periodontal infection affects
development of the fetus’ face, brain and future behavior.
“This area of research is quite new—there is very little data looking at maternal periodontal infection and the impact it can have on the developing fetus,” says Dr. Rosin. “The long-term goal is to determine if there is a connection between periodontal infection and
disruptions in the developing fetus, which could ultimately improve prenatal care by underscoring the importance of oral health care for pregnant women.”
Since establishing her lab, Dr. Rosin has been enjoying the collaborative nature of the UBC Faculty of Dentistry. As a foundational researcher, the ultimate goal is for her work to inform clinical practice, a process that requires teaming up with other researchers and
practicing dentists.
“I have colleagues who do clinical work, some like myself who do foundational research, and others who do both, and everyone has a great deal of respect for one another, which helps foster meaningful collaborations,” says Dr. Rosin. “It’s such a great community to be a part of,
and there’s a lot of potential for translating discoveries from the lab into the dental clinic.”
Dr. Rosin says she’s also been lucky to have several mentors at UBC who have helped make her transition to faculty member—and now Canada Research Chair—easier, including Joy Richman, D.M.D., Ph.D., M.Dent.Sci., in the UBC Faculty of Dentistry and Shernaz
Bamji. Ph.D., M.Sc., a neuroscientist in the UBC Faculty of Medicine Department of Cellular & Physiological Sciences.
“Being a woman in STEM can be challenging but finding great mentors and staying true to who you are as a person and researcher is so important,” says Dr. Rosin. “I’m really looking forward to launching into this next phase of my research career, knowing I’m part of a
great team who will support me.”
Courtesy of The
University of British Columbia Faculty of Dentistry
Published on December
14, 2022