UB Researcher Secures Nearly $1M NIH Grant to Deploy AI in the Fight Against Gum Disease
Lu Li, a postdoctoral researcher at the University at Buffalo, has been awarded a $993,098 NIH Pathway to Independence (K99/R00) grant to harness artificial intelligence in advancing our understanding and treatment of periodontal disease. This five-year grant will empower Li to apply machine learning techniques to vast datasets of oral microbial communities derived from over 2,600 individuals, including longitudinal follow-up spanning up to five years.
Li’s project will rely on manifold learning—a sophisticated AI method that compresses complex high-dimensional data into more interpretable structures—to uncover dynamic patterns in how microbial ecosystems evolve over time. The goal is to distinguish microbial states predictive of disease progression and to identify novel biomarkers that can flag which patients are at heightened risk of worsening periodontitis.
In mentoring roles, Li is guided by Patricia Diaz, the Sunstar Robert J. Genco Endowed Chair in Oral Biology and director of the UB Microbiome Center, as well as collaborators across disciplines, including public health, genomics, and bioinformatics. The funding also builds on prior UB studies like the Buffalo Myocardial Infarction Perio Study and the OsteoPerio Study, which examined connections between gum disease and systemic conditions like cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis.
As part of the second phase of the grant, Li will lead independent work to analyze microbial variation at the strain level—delving deeper into genetic and functional differences that may underlie disease severity. By doing so, the research has the potential to lay the foundation for precision dentistry, where prevention and treatment strategies are tailored to an individual’s microbial profile.
Li’s scientific journey is notable: he holds a PhD in computer science (earned in 2021 at UB) and transitioned into oral biology, motivated by a desire to apply computational skills to health challenges. His interdisciplinary background positions him well to bridge gaps between AI, microbiome science, and dental research.
According to Diaz, Li is the first postdoctoral associate in the dental school to receive this competitive NIH award, marking a significant milestone for dental research at UB. She remarked that his blend of computational and microbiological savvy stands to push microbiome research in fresh, transformative directions.
Overall, this NIH investment not only supports Li’s transition toward a faculty role but also underscores the growing recognition that artificial intelligence and deep microbial profiling could revolutionize how gum disease is understood, predicted, and managed in clinical practice.
📖 Original Article Info
“UB researcher wins nearly $1M NIH award to use AI to fight against gum disease.”
Oral Health Group, September 24, 2025