Dr. Yan Wang, an Assistant Adjunct Professor at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) School of Dentistry, has been awarded a National Institutes of Health (NIH) R03 grant to investigate the oral microbiome—the community of microorganisms residing in the mouth—of children living with HIV in Kenya. This research aims to understand how HIV infection influences the development of oral diseases in these children. By analyzing oral bacteria, Dr. Wang hopes to identify specific microbial patterns associated with oral health complications in HIV-positive pediatric populations. The findings could lead to improved prevention and treatment strategies, ultimately enhancing the quality of life for affected children.
Dr. Wang’s project complements the ongoing efforts of the University of Washington’s Timothy A. DeRouen Center for Global Oral Health, of which she is a collaborator. The DeRouen Center is conducting an NIH R21 study titled “Dynamics of HIV-infection, Oral Innate Immunity and The Development of Oral Diseases in Children” in Kenya. This project examines how HIV affects the immune system’s natural defenses in the mouth and the subsequent development of oral diseases. Dr. Wang’s focus on the oral microbiome provides a microbial perspective that enriches the DeRouen Center’s broader investigation into oral health among HIV-infected children. Together, these collaborative efforts aim to develop comprehensive strategies to prevent and manage oral diseases in this population.