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F. Fusun Ozer

Fusun Ozer, DMD, PhD

Associate Professor of Restorative Dentistry
Division of Restorative Dentistry
Email: ozerf@upenn.edu
Professional Biography

Dr. Fusun Ozer is an Associate Professor of Restorative Dentistry at Penn Dental Medicine. Prior to joining Penn Dental Medicine in 2008, Dr. Ozer was at Selcuk University Faculty of Dentistry in Turkey, where she served as Chair of Restorative Dentistry for 10 years. She completed her residency and PhD degree in Operative Dentistry at the Marmara University Faculty of Dentistry in 1991. Dr. Ozer has a broad research background in adhesive dentistry, with specific training and expertise in research areas of material adhesion and developing more biologically stable adhesive/dentin interface. Her basic research interests focus on determining the contribution of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) to enzymatic degradation at resin/dentin interfaces and trying to prevent their activity by using the proprietary MMP 8 and 9 derived peptide inhibitors. One of her recent research projects also involves enhancement of antibacterial and physical properties Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) in orthodontic appliances and dental prosthesis with a novel pH sensitive antibacterial compound. Dr. Ozer conducts various company related clinical research studies in Penn Dental Medicine Restorative Clinics. She works on several collaborative research projects with national and international researchers from different institutions and published a large number of peer-reviewed papers in the area of dental materials and particularly in Adhesive Dentistry.

Faculty Appointments
  • Associate Professor of Restorative Dentistry, Department of Preventive and Restorative Sciences, University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, 2015-Present
  • Full-time Instructor and Clinical Associate, Department of Preventive and Restorative Sciences, University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, 2009-2015
  • Part-time Associate Professor, University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, October 2008-April 2009.
  • Adjunct Professor, Osmangazi University, Eskisehir, Turkey, 2013-present
  • Professor, Department of Restorative Dentistry, Selcuk University Faculty of Dentistry, Konya, Turkey, 2001-2008.
  • Associate Professor, Department of Restorative Dentistry, Selcuk University Faculty of Dentistry, Konya, Turkey, 1995-2001.
  • Assistant Professor, Department of Restorative Dentistry, Selcuk University Faculty of Dentistry, Konya, Turkey, 1991-1995.
Administrative Appointments
  • Assistant Dean for the Clinical Affairs, University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, July 2015 – April 2016.
  • Department Chair, Department of Restorative Dentistry, Selcuk University Faculty of Dentistry, Konya, Turkey, 1998 – 2008.
  • Vice Dean for Academic Affairs and Research, Selcuk University Faculty of Dentistry, Konya, Turkey, 1994-2001.
Honors/Credentials
  • AADR Bloc Travel Grant supported by NIH/NIDCR, 2018
  • Jumpstarts for Juniors Grant from Center for Penn Undergraduate Research, 2018
  • Upenn Summer Undergraduate Research Grant (SURG), 2017
  • Scientific Committee Co-Chair, 2nd Biennial Meeting of International Academy of Adhesive Dentistry, 2017
  • Osmangazi University Research Foundation Grant, 2016
  • Clinical Research Grant Award supported by SHOFU Company-Japan, 2016
  • The Twenty-First Hinman Student Research Award, 2015
  • CCDA Pilot Research Grant Award of Philadelphia School of Osteopathic Medicine, 2015
  • The Josephine and Joseph Rabinowitz Grant Award for Excellence in Research, 2014
  • The award of Schoenleber Pilot Grant, 2013
  • The Philadelphia Academy of Stomatology Research Award, 2010
  • Vice President, 5th International Adhesive Dentistry Congress, Philadelphia, PA, 2013
  • Executive Committee Member, International Academy of Adhesive Dentistry (IAAD), 2013 – Present
  • Dental Materials Section Editor, Journal of Current Oral Health Reports, 2013 – Present
  • The research award of Spark Education and Research Foundation, 2011
  • The Philadelphia Academy of Stomatology Research Award, 2010
  • AADR Bloc Travel Grant supported by NIH/NIDCR, 2010
  • Active Member, IADR Membership and Recruitment Committee, 2010 – 2013
  • Active Board Member, International Association for Dental Research, Continental European Division (IADR-CED), 2006 – 2009
  • Chair, Regional Development Committee of International Association for Dental Research, Continental European Division (IADR-CED), 2005 – 2009
  • Norwegian Government Higher Education Scholarship Award, 2003
  • Chair, ERASMUS (The Program of Internationalizing European Education) and International Relationships Committee, Selcuk University, Konya, Turkey, 2001 – 2008
  • Executive Committee Member, DenTed (Thematic network for convergence in European Dental Education) visitation to Oulu University, Oulu, Findland, 2001
Education
  • DMD, University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, 2013
  • PhD, Marmara University Faculty of Dentistry, Istanbul, Turkey, 1991
  • DDS, Marmara University Faculty of Dentistry, Istanbul, Turkey, 1982