Faizan Alawi

Faizan Alawi, DDS

Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
Director, Penn Oral Pathology Services
Professor of Pathology

Department of Basic & Translational Sciences
Room 328-B, Levy Building
Phone: 215-573-7638
Email: falawi@upenn.edu
Professional Biography

The roles of ribosome biogenesis and telomere maintenance in the pathogenesis of oral cancer are poorly understood. The dyskeratosis congenita 1 gene (DKC1) has important roles in both of these molecular pathways. While germline mutations in DKC1 may precipitate cancer development, in the vast majority of individuals with sporadic cancers, the gene is not mutated. Instead, DKC1 is frequently upregulated. We have recently shown that DKC1 is a direct transcriptional target of the c-MYC oncoprotein. c-MYC is one of the most important cellular proteins; it directly and indirectly regulates many of our most fundamental biological functions. Upregulation of c-MYC has been implicated in the pathogenesis of several different cancer types, including oral cancer. We are currently investigating the role of DKC1 in influencing some of these c-MYC-related functions, including cellular proliferation, genomic stability and cellular transformation.

Honors / Credentials
  • Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Penn Dental Medicine, 2017 —
  • Assistant Dean for Curriculum, Penn Dental Medicine, 2015 – 2017
  • Diplomate of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology
  • Chair, School of Dental Medicine Faculty Senate 2007-2009
  • Joseph and Josephine Rabinowitz Award for Excellence in Research, 2004
  • Best Dentists of America, 2004
  • Biotene Award for Excellence in Hospital Dentistry, 1997″
Selected Publications
Find Articles On
Find Articles On PubMed
Education
  • Resident in Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, New York Hospital Medical Center of Queens, 1998-2001
  • Chief Resident in General Practice Dentistry, St. Barnabas Hospital, 1997-1998
  • Resident in General Practice Dentistry, St. Barnabas Hospital, 1996-1997
  • Doctor of Dental Surgery, McGill University, Montreal, Canada, 1992-1996″