Maiko Suzuki, D.D.S., Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in the Department of Oral Science and Translational Research at the College of Dental Medicine. Dr. Suzuki earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.) and Doctor of Philosophy in Dentistry (Ph.D.) from Tohoku University in Japan. Before joining NSU, Dr. Suzuki was an Assistant Professor at Tohoku University, a Postdoctoral Fellow at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, an Assistant Research Investigator at the Forsyth Institute, an Assistant Professor at the Ohio State University, and an Associate Professor at the Dental College of Georgia, Augusta University. Since her Ph.D. program, Dr. Suzuki has had a stellar record studying the molecular biology of cancer, periodontitis, tooth development, and the health effects of fluoride and organo-fluorine (PFAS). Dr. Suzuki’s overarching objective in the dental-oral-craniofacial research field is to identify environmental factors related to craniofacial pathophysiology and develop novel preventive and therapeutic strategies for environmental factor-associated oral disease. Dr. Suzuki has been working on two NIH grant-funded projects. One is the R01 project (study on fluoride), entitled “Epigenetic and non-epigenetic role of SIRT1 in fluoride-induced cell stress, and another is the K02 Independent Investigator Career Development research project, entitled “Health Effects of the Fluorinated Pollutants; PFAS on Enamel Development”. Fluoride project: The optimal level of fluoride is beneficial for dental caries prevention. However, ingesting excessive fluoride can cause dental and skeletal fluorosis. While further elucidation is required, beyond dental and skeletal fluorosis, other potential adverse health effects associated with excessive fluoride consumption have been reported. Recent epidemiological and laboratory studies suggest that excessive systemic fluoride exposure can be associated with systemic adverse health effects, including immunological, reproductive, and neurodevelopmental abnormalities. Dr. Suzuki has been investigating the roles and molecular mechanisms of fluoride toxicity in animal models. The results could contribute to novel strategies to prevent or alleviate fluoride-mediated adverse health effects. PFAS project: PFAS (per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances) are a large group of artificial fluorinated organic compounds. PFAS have generated increased public attention due to their potential health hazards, especially carcinogenesis. The U.S. FDA no longer permits using PFAS-containing materials in food packages and containers. However, PFAS (not readily broken down) already released from former consumer products leak into water and soil, which humans ingest. PFAS have been detected in the serum of over 98% of the US population. PFAS toxic impact on our health is concerned by the Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry (ATSDR) at CDC. Animal studies demonstrated PFAS-mediated craniofacial deformities in zebrafish, and cleft palate in rodents. However, the effects of PFAS on tooth development and head and neck cancer remain largely unknown. Dr. Suzuki has been investigating the molecular mechanisms underlying the pathogenic effects of PFAS on odontogenesis and cancer metastasis using rodent models. The results will provide new insights where PFAS could play an etiopathological role in cryptogenic abnormalities of tooth development as well as head and neck cancer development.