URMC / Clinical & Translational Science Institute / Stories / August 2024 / Xiao Selected for KL2 Alumni Lectureship in Clinical & Translational Science

Xiao Selected for KL2 Alumni Lectureship in Clinical & Translational Science

Jin Xiao, DDS, PhD, associate professor of Dentistry at the UR Medicine Eastman Institute for Oral Health, is an accomplished researcher, former KL2 scholar, mentor for early career researchers as the associate director for the KL2 program, the founder of the Eastman Institute of Oral Health perinatal clinic, and now, the second recipient of the Robert G. Holloway CTSI KL2 Alumni Lectureship in Clinical & Translational Science.

“I am extremely honored to receive the KL2 lectureship,” Xiao said. “URMC has many KL2 scholars who have made outstanding achievements, and I am humbled to represent them for this scholarship.” Xiao is the second recipient of this lectureship, following Anthony Pisani, PhD, in 2023.

The lectureship is named in recognition of Robert Holloway, MD, MPH, who served as director of the KL2 Career Development Program for seventeen years. Recipients of the lectureship are former KL2 scholars who exemplify the program’s impact on our institution and are invited to deliver the keynote remarks sharing their insights at UR CTSI’s annual Translational Science Day.

A Transitional Program

The KL2 Career Development Award provides early career researchers with two years of financial support for mentored research. Thu Le, MD, FAHA, is the John J. Kuiper Distinguished Professor of Medicine and director of the KL2 Career Development Program.

“Dr. Xiao was selected for this honor because she exemplifies the success of the KL2 program,” Le said. “In leveraging the resources provided by the UR CTSI, her journey has been marked by notable achievements in funding, translating her work from the bench to the community, mentoring, transdisciplinary research, and promotion of our values in diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. She embodies all the characteristics of a translational scientist.”

The KL2 Career Development Award was the first grant in Xiao’s career as a researcher, coming at a time when she was focused on bench research in microbiology.

“I aspired to become a clinician-scientist and the KL2 provided the perfect platform for me,” Xiao said. “It opened my mind to new ways of thinking about research. Translational research is not linear; it is a dynamic, multi-angle process that requires attention to clinical and community needs, bringing inspiration to the heart of the approach. The training, mentorship, and support from the program equipped me with the tools and experience needed for long-term growth.”

Researching and Preventing Childhood Tooth Decay

Xiao’s KL2 project concerned early childhood tooth decay, one of the most common and devastating chronic childhood diseases, with 1.8 billion new cases documented annually across the world. She investigated the colonization of yeast in the mouths of mother and infant pairs and examined the association between oral yeast and the onset of severe early childhood tooth decay.

“In the U.S., children miss 55 million school hours yearly due to oral pain, with untreated cavities leading to infections that hinder learning, sleeping, and eating,” Xiao said. “We need better ways to identify high-risk children and develop more effective prevention strategies.”

Benefits to Early-Career Researchers

Xiao said that early-career researchers can benefit from the KL2 award for several compelling reasons.

“The KL2 program provides structured training in clinical and translational research, with mentorship from experienced researchers to help develop skills and design robust studies,” Xiao said. “KL2 scholars are granted protected time for research, allowing them to focus on their projects without competing clinical duties.”

The program also provides opportunities for career development, including workshops, seminars, and networking events. KL2 scholars can expect a collaborative, interdisciplinary research environment.

“Being a KL2 scholar is a prestigious accomplishment that enhances visibility and credibility, benefiting future funding and career opportunities,” Xiao said.

Mentorship and institutional support have continued to play a role in Xiao’s research career. After being notified of her selection for this lectureship, Xiao expressed her gratitude for the tremendous support she has received from her mentors. She also thanked Eli Eliav, DMD, PhD, the director of the UR Medicine Eastman Institute for Oral Health for recruiting her as an assistant professor in 2014.

“He developed an innovative career development plan for me, allocating 50 percent of my protected time for research alongside my clinical duties,” Xiao said. “Throughout my career, he has provided substantial support for my research, which has been critical to my professional development.”

Xiao will deliver the keynote address at Translational Science Day on Tuesday, October 29, at the School of Nursing auditorium and the Saunders Research Building atrium at 265 Crittenden Boulevard. Xiao’s keynote presentation is titled “Utilizing a Multimodal Translational Research Approach to Establish Oral Health Equity at Birth.”

Interested in applying for the KL2 Program? UR CTSI is accepting letters of intent now through September 16, 2024. Learn more on the Career Development Award funding page.

Jonathan Raab | 8/13/2024