Position: Assistant Professor

Organization: University of Pittsburgh

Biography Text: Dr. Bertolini is a clinician-scientist-educator with a DDS/PhD degree and extensive training in oral microbiology and mucosal immunology, as well as clinical training in two different clinical specialties (Prosthodontics and Periodontics – being a Diplomate of the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP)). Over the past 10 years Dr. Bertolini has been using basic science research and her clinical training in dentistry to try to close the gap between bench research and clinically relevant topics related to oral mucosal diseases caused by pathogenic biofilms around dental implants. She have received many national and international awards in my field of research, such as the 1st place - AADR Hatton Competition in 2019, in Vancouver, BC, Canada. In addition, she was awarded the AAP Foundation Educator Scholarship in 2021, participated on the 2023 Leadership, Engagement, Action, and Development (LEAD) Program and won the AAP Foundation AAL's 2023 Institute for Teaching and Learning (ITL) fellowship, both are programs to award early career educators. Recently, she won the 2025 American Academy of Periodontology Foundation Teaching Fellowship, an award for rising stars educators in my field. Currently she has over 50 peer-reviewed scientific papers, while also actively working as Ad Hoc Reviewer for scientific journals, participated as guest Editor on special issues and she is a part of the board of editors of the JDR (Journal of Dental Research), Journal of Periodontal Research and the Journal of Translational Medicine. Looking to keep the general public informed on the latest advances in sciences, she actively participate as a scientific consultant for The New York Times, Consumer's Report, NBC Health News, WOSU Public Media, Ohio Radio, on ‘Wellness Wednesdays’ and Pittsburgh Magazine for all media related to dentistry and oral health topics.