My research explores the intersection of oral inflammation, microbial dysbiosis, and systemic health. I’ve worked on projects that investigate the oral virome, host–microbe interactions, and the protective effects of probiotics like Nisin against bone loss and liver disease following periodontitis.

My master’s thesis focused on SCPPPQ1, a specialized junctional epithelial protein with potential protective roles in periodontal health. This work builds on my broader interest in how early interventions and biologically targeted therapies can shift both local and systemic outcomes for periodontal patients.

<aside> Polymicrobial periodontal disease triggers a wide radius of effect and unique virome

npj Biofilms and Microbiomes (2020)

Citations: 57

Authors: L. Gao, M. Kang, M.J. Zhang, M. Reza Sailani, R. Kuraji, A. Martinez, C. Ye, ...

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The human oral virome: shedding light on the dark matter

Periodontology 2000 (2021)

Citations: 53

Authors: A. Martinez, R. Kuraji, Y.L. Kapila

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<aside> Nisin probiotic prevents inflammatory bone loss while promoting reparative proliferation and a healthy microbiome

npj Biofilms and Microbiomes (2022)

Citations: 39

Authors: L. Gao, R. Kuraji, M.J. Zhang, A. Martinez, A. Radaic, P. Kamarajan, C. Le, ...

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<aside> Nisin lantibiotic prevents NAFLD liver steatosis and mitochondrial oxidative stress following periodontal disease

npj Biofilms and Microbiomes (2024)

Citations: 22

Authors: R. Kuraji, C. Ye, C. Zhao, L. Gao, A. Martinez, Y. Miyashita, A. Radaic, ...

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COVID-19 associated oral and oropharyngeal microbiome: Systematic review and meta-analysisPeriodontology 2000 (2023)

Citations: 11

Authors: S.M. Ganesan, T.K. Peter, M.H.H. Withanage, F. Boksa, E. Zeng, A. Martinez, ...

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Long-term stability of conventional non-regenerative periodontal treatment for furcation defects

Periodontology 2000 (2025)

Citations: 0

Authors: GH Lin, A Martinez, V Li, E Lee, KW Tu, R Kao

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SCPPPQ1 in Focus

Investigating SCPPPQ1's antimicrobial properties and its diminished expression in periodontitis was a key component of my master's thesis on epithelial resilience in periodontal tissues.

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In vitro testing reveals SCPPPQ1's ability to inhibit bacterial growth, highlighting its potential as a protective protein in the periodontal environment.

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Gingival crevicular fluid samples show significantly reduced levels of SCPPPQ1 in periodontitis compared to health, underscoring its association with epithelial integrity.

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