Dr. Lorri Ann Morford PhD

Dr. Lorri Ann Morford is an Assistant Professor and PhD-level scientist within the Division of Orthodontics at the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry (UKCD). She is the Director of the UKCD Hereditary Genetics/Genomics Laboratory and has extensive training in immunology, genetics, and molecular biology. Dr. Morford's laboratory focuses on studying genetic and environmental factors that influence oral and craniofacial disease, with particular emphasis on understanding the pathways and/or mechanisms that lead to (a) External Apical Root Resorption (EARR) concurrent with orthodontia, (b) Class III malocclusion growth patterns (particularly mandibular prognathism), (c) Class II Division 2 growth patterns, and (d) the genetic factors influencing specific patterns of dental agenesis (e.g., hypodontia of the lateral incisors and 2nd premolars). For more than 11 years, Dr. Morford has been serving in different leadership capacities within the Craniofacial Biology (CRAN) scientific group of International Association for Dental, Oral and Craniofacial Research (IADR) and the American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research (AADOCR); where she is currently serving as the group's Councilor (2021-2027). Dr. Morford is also a co-Investigator on a National Institutes of Health (NIH) funded U01 grant that aims to identify the host-related genetic, immune response, and bacterial-related factors that influence the development of Grade C Stage 3-4 molar-incisor pattern periodontitis in young patients (previously termed Localized Aggressive Periodontitis, LAP).