Research & Discovery UConn Health

April 26, 2022 | Courtney Chandler - UConn Health

2022 UConn Health Board of Directors Faculty Recognition Awardee Is Dr. Frank Nichols

“We are exceptionally appreciative of Dr. Nichols’ longstanding service to the UConn School of Dental Medicine. He is the epitome of what any school should desire of a faculty member and his record of excellence in teaching, scholarship and discovery, service and patient care is a model for many to emulate,” said Dr. Steven Lepowsky.

Frank Nichols DDS, Ph.D. is a professor in the Division of Periodontology at UConn School of Dental Medicine.

Frank Nichols DDS, Ph.D. is a professor in the Division of Periodontology at UConn School of Dental Medicine. (Tina Encarnacion/UConn Health)

The 2022 recipient of the UConn Health Board of Directors Faculty Recognition Award is Dr. Frank C. Nichols, professor of Periodontology in the UConn School of Dental Medicine. Nichols has been a faculty member since 1984.

Nichols received his dental degree from the Ohio State University and completed his MS and Ph.D. studies in biophysics at the University of Rochester. Nichols subsequently completed his specialty training in periodontics at UConn, along with the Master of Dental Science degree, in 1984. Nichols joined the faculty immediately following the completion of his residency program.

“We are exceptionally appreciative of Dr. Nichols’ longstanding service to the UConn School of Dental Medicine. He is the epitome of what any school should desire of a faculty member and his record of excellence in teaching, scholarship and discovery, service and patient care is a model for many to emulate,” said Dr. Steven Lepowsky, dean of the UConn School of Dental Medicine. “He is recognized as a leader in his field and is certainly most deserving of this honor from the UConn Health Board of Directors.”

A consummate educator, Nichols’ primary academic responsibilities throughout his career have been directed to periodontology. He has served as both the director of the postdoctoral residency program in periodontology and the predoctoral education director, and has made significant contributions to the biomedical sciences curriculum, to several residency and graduate programs outside of his primary specialty, as well as to the dental hygiene programs throughout the state of Connecticut. His contributions to the teaching program have been recognized with the Kaiser Permanente Teaching Award and other honors.

“This unexpected recognition reaffirms my commitment to students, staff, colleagues, patients and the University at large. I am truly humbled and immensely grateful for this honor,” says Nichols.

Nichols is a nationally and internally recognized expert scientist in lipidomics and the role of complex bacterial lipids in inflammatory diseases that span outside of the oral cavity. His groundbreaking research has led to new understandings of the relationships between oral diseases and systemic disease, including cardiovascular diseases. A fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Nichols has an extensive history of successful funding for his research program and is the author of over sixty peer-reviewed publications and has numerous presentations to local, state, national and international organizations. More than 50 students, residents and trainees have been mentored in their research or graduate studies by Nichols.

Dr. Steven Lepowsky contributed to this post.