Patricia L. Cameron, PhD
Vice Dean, The Graduate School
(706) 721- 3278
BIOMED@augusta.edu
The Oral Biology and Maxillofacial Pathology program focuses on biological processes that contribute to normal development of the orofacial complex and diseases that arise in this area. Based in the Dental College of Georgia, this interdisciplinary program encompasses a range of biomedical science specialties including Anatomy, Molecular and Cellular Biology, Microbiology, Immunology, Pharmacology and Pathology.
Faculty members are active in several national and international organizations including the International Association for Dental Research, the American Association for Dental Research, the American Dental Education Association, the American Heart Association, the American Academy of Implant Dentistry Research Foundation, the American Academy of Oral Medicine, and the International Academy of Oral Oncology, as well as the National Institutes of Health, where they serve on committees and review groups. Several faculty members also serve on the editorial boards or as reviewers for major scientific journals. These associations demonstrate excellence, integrity, and leadership of our faculty. These attributes are also expected and demonstrated by our students, evident by a high success rate in securing presentations at national meetings and winning national awards related to their research.
Faculty engage students and inspire them to make new scientific discoveries, with the goal of improving clinical care, while emphasizing the need for life-long learning.
"The OB family inspire and support each other to be our best and work across a unique blend of clinical and biomedical faculty expertise to come up with innovative research. We would love to welcome you to the Augusta University family. Come, be a part of our family!"
Biosketch
DCG Assistant Dean for Admissions, Associate Professor of Oral Biology and Diagnostic Sciences, Restorative Sciences, and Program Director for Graduate Program in Oral Biology and Maxillofacial Pathology. Dr. Messer earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering Science and Mechanics from the University of Tennessee followed by her Master of Science and Doctorate of Philosophy in Biomedical Engineering focusing on Biomaterials. Dr. Messer has been part of the faculty of The Dental College of Georgia (DCG) and The Graduate School since 2000 and has led or served on many college and university committees as well teaches in and is course director in several courses. She has served as Program Director for the graduate program in Oral Biology and Maxillofacial Pathology since 2011. In this role, she administratively manages a very internationally diverse population of students and has helped them adjust culturally to Augusta and life in the U.S. She has mentored 9 postdoctoral/visiting scientists, 40 MS/PhD students, 28 DMD students, and 7 undergraduate students. Dr. Messer has been funded by the NIH, Whitaker Foundation, and industry for her work on biomaterials, mechanical stress, and biocompatibility. She has 69 peer-reviewed articles as well as 126 peer reviewed abstracts/presentations. Along with 25 journals, she has reviewed grants for national and international scientific organizations. She is active member in the American Society for Dental Ethics, American Association of Dental Research, International Association of Dental Research, Society for Biomaterials, and the American Dental Education Association as well as the honor societies of Omicron Kappa Upsilon, Phi Kappa Phi and Tau Beta Pi.
These roles, as well as her unique educational background, and varied pre-doctoral and graduate teaching experiences give her a broad perspective on the current challenges facing education. Her desire to improve the educational experience from admission to graduation is evident in her willingness to develop new lectures, programs, and processes. She is part of a faculty team that enhanced our curriculum with professionalism and ethics topics that will be integrated throughout all four years to help students grow personally and professionally (e.g. implicit bias, emotional intelligence, generational differences, and communication skills). The interactive format for this content creates a healthy learning environment and effective andragogy to foster a humanistic culture among all persons. Dr. Messer’s involvement in these areas have expanded her research to include how these factors influence student success.
Regina Messer, PhD
Program Director
rmesser@augusta.edu
Melissa Hammac
Program Administrator
(706) 721-2031
mhammac@augusta.edu
Michelle Burnside-Barnes
Program Administrator
(706) 721-2031
mburnsid@augusta.edu
"Coming from a dental background, I believe evidence-based science coupled with the
right methods and technology would be a pivotal step in the treatment. Therefore,
I planned to pursue PhD in biomedical science to equip myself with knowledge and skills
that would enhance my academic career and broaden my professional life. Thus, the
collaboration between biomedical sciences and the dental sector would help me be part
of translational research and contribute to the field of medicine."
Bidhan Bhandari >>
