Differentially Expressed Genes in Dental Pulp Tissues of Individuals With Symptomatic Irreversible Pulpitis With and Without History of COVID-19

Dr. Han Na Cho graduated from Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts with a Bachelor of Arts in Biology and a minor in Chemistry. She then earned her Doctor of Dental Medicine degree at the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine in Philadelphia. After graduating from dental school, she completed a General Practice Residency (GPR) at Flushing Hospital Medical Center in New York and continued her education at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, where she earned her specialty certificate in Endodontics and a Master of Science in Dentistry degree. Dr. Cho is an American Board of Endodontics eligible endodontist and is currently an active member of the American Association of Endodontists, American Dental Association, Texas Dental Association and Greater Houston Dental Society. She is currently working as an associate in a private practice in Houston. 

She is an Associate Professor in the Department of Endodontics and the Director of Predoctoral Endodontics at the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine. She earned her dental degree and a certificate in Endodontics from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. She also obtained a certificate in Endodontics from the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. In addition, she holds a Master's degree in Endodontics and a Ph.D. in Materials Science. Her research focuses on the physicochemical, mechanical, and biological properties of endodontic materials and instruments, as well as on elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying apical periodontitis. She has published nearly 40 peer-reviewed manuscripts in Endodontics and one book chapter on endodontic filling materials.

Dr. Timothy Kirkpatrick is a professor in the Department of Endodontics at UTHealth School of Dentistry at Houston, where he also serves as the Department Chair and Program Director of the Advanced Education in Endodontics Program.

Dr. Silva received his DDS from the University Gama Filho, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 1994. He received his endodontic certificate from both Brazil (University Gama Filho) and US (University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston). Dr. Silva received his MS (2002) in Endodontics and PhD (2006) degree in Oral Sciences from University of Sao Paulo, Brazil. He also completed a postdoctoral fellowship in Human Molecular Genetics at the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Silva worked as an Assistant Professor at University of Pittsburgh from 2007 to 2011, and Associate/Professor/Department Chair at University of Texas at Houston from 2011 to 2021. Dr. Silva is currently a Professor and Chair of the Department of Endodontics at The University of Pittsburgh, School of Dental Medicine. Dr. Silva has edited a textbook about Endodontic retreatment and published several peer-reviewed articles in the field of Endodontics and Human Genetics. He is a board-certified endodontist and maintains a faculty practice limited to Endodontics.

Dr. Letra is a tenured professor in the Departments of Oral and Craniofacial Sciences, Endodontics, and Assistant Dean for Faculty Affairs at the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine. Her research focuses on the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying complex craniofacial and oral diseases/disorders, including pulpal/periapical disease. Her laboratory uses gene discovery, genetic analysis, and experimental models to identify genetic variants impacting risk of these disorders/diseases and health outcomes. Her work has been continuously funded by the National Institutes of Health and the American Association of Endodontists Foundation.

Dr. Letra has authored over 120 peer-reviewed articles (h-index=47), 8 book chapters, and numerous abstracts and media publications. Her work has been recognized through prestigious awards, including the Journal of Endodontics Best Paper in Clinical Research Awards (2020 and 2024), first place in the IADR Hatton Award (2016), and the SCADA Burton C. Borgelt Faculty Advisor Award (2018). Her work was featured on the cover of the Journal of Endodontics (JOE), Journal of Dental Research, and Orthodontics and Craniofacial Research Journal. Dr. Letra is an associate editor of the JOE, Endodontics, Chair of the AAE Research and Scientific Affairs Committee, and the AADOCR/IADR Representative to the Publications Committee.