New Oral Health Research Leads to National Recognition for McMicken Alumnus

The next time you grab your toothbrush or visit the dentist, you might want to thank UC alumnus Matthew Doyle, whose research at Procter & Gamble Co. has recently been recognized for its contributions to the advancement of science. 

 Doyle was elected a 2014 Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. AAAS is the largest multidisciplinary science and engineering society in the world and publisher of the journal Science. 

The research that led to Doyle’s recognition focused on developing products for the prevention and treatment of oral diseases such as cavities and periodontal disease. Through this work, Doyle and his colleagues have been able to show that simple interventions in oral care can reduce host systemic immune and inflammatory responses, which in-turn reduce the risk of pre-term birth in women as well as improve glycemic control in diabetics. 

His election as an AAAS Fellow reflects his contributions and innovations in the field of oral health research. AAAS recognized Doyle for “distinguished contributions to the field of oral health research, particularly leadership in prevention and treatment of common oral conditions including caries and periodontal disease.” 

“I am truly humbled and honored,” Doyle said. “This award reflects genuinely on my colleagues at P&G – whose brilliant work and seminal accomplishments in the field of oral health research have really made a difference in improving the lives of so many consumers around the world.” 

Doyle’s recognition is significant as this honor is rare outside of academic circles. This year, only nine of the 401 Fellows elected were from corporate research laboratories, with the majority coming from academia or government labs. 

Doyle attended McMicken College of Arts and Sciences from 1979 to 1983 and completed his master’s and doctoral degrees in chemistry. Doyle currently serves UC as a member of McMicken College of Arts and Sciences Dean’s Advisory Board in addition to working as a scientist at P&G. In 2011, he was named a McMicken Distinguished Alumnus.

“My experience as a graduate student at UC, in the laboratories of Professors Heineman and Halsall were key in instilling the importance of working collaboratively at the interface of science disciplines,” Doyle said. “This has served me well in my career at P&G and been the basis for many breakthrough innovations which I have been proud to have been associated with.” 

AAAS has been continuously honoring scientists since 1874. Every year the AAAS council elects members who have contributed to the advancement of science and/or engineering. There are 24 AAAS sections ranging from dentistry and oral health research to linguistics and language science. In 2013, there were five faculty members from the University of Cincinnati who were elected AAAS Fellows. 

Doyle will be recognized at the 2015 AAAS Annual Meeting in San Jose, Calif.