Neubert takes the leadership reins of biomedical sciences
Texas A&M College of Dentistry welcomed John K. Neubert Feb. 1 as the new department head of biomedical sciences.
Neubert joined the dental college after more than 20 years on the University of Florida faculty, including several years as the director of predoctoral orthodontic education. A translational researcher, his work is recognized worldwide.
“I am so pleased Dr. Neubert joined our faculty,” said Dr. Lily T. García, dean. “He comes with the expertise, academic experience and a successful track record in protocol-driven research. He is focused on engaging our faculty members in the Department of Biomedical Sciences as we work together to advance the mission of the A&M College of Dentistry.”
Neubert said moving into an administrative role is a natural step after many years as a researcher, clinician and teacher. His background is in neuroscience, pain research and therapeutics, and he pursued a leadership role at the dental college because he wanted to focus more on leading a basic science and research program.
“Even though I’m a dentist and an orthodontist, I consider myself a researcher and academic,” Neubert said. “I saw the position posted for biomedical sciences and that seemed like a more natural fit for me as far as what I want to do.”
The department’s strong neuroscience group complements his own research in finding alternatives to opioids and other drug treatments for those suffering from pain, especially in the orofacial region. This would include helping those with temporomandibular joint disorders – a group of more than 30 conditions known to cause pain and dysfunction in the jaw joint and muscles controlling jaw movement. Neubert brings with him a team of six researchers who will join the dental college over the next few months, and he intends to hire more researchers to replace those who retired or are retiring soon.
“We’re in a position where we can do clinical translational research where we can take our findings from the lab and then translate it into, hopefully, a better therapy in people,” he said.
Neubert said he will write a clinical trial protocol soon to study drug alternatives for the treatment of TMD and trigeminal neuralgia, also known as tic douloureux, an extremely painful chronic disorder that affects the main nerve in the face. The cause is unknown. Neubert said patients describe the pain as lightning bolts going off in their faces hundreds of times a day. He and his team have completed five years of preclinical trials, and clinical trials could begin before the end of the year.
Neubert earned his dental degree, doctorate and a specialty certificate in orofacial pain management and dysfunction from the University of California, Los Angeles. He has a specialty certificate in orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics from the University of Florida.