Nicola Cirillo, PhD
From molecules to populations
I aim to bridge basic science, patient wellbeing, and population health. My experience spans the entire continuum of health science, from biomedical research to public health and policy, with an emphasis on innovation and translational applications.
MY JOURNEY
The travelling researcher
I have lived, trained and worked in 7 countries spanning 4 continents (a stylised version of my elder son's drawing is below).
I have Bachelors in Dental Medicine (DMD), Specialist training and Doctorate (PhD), 3 Masters (II livello) in Clinical Epidemiology, Oral Surgery, and Orthodontics; 3 Masters (I livello) in Paediatric Neuropsychiatry, Educational Psychology, and Health Research.
My other international qualifications include a Masters in Health Policy (Imperial), a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health (Manchester), a Graduate Certificate in University Teaching (Melbourne), and certificates in Executive coaching (Cambridge) and Strategy and Competition in Higher Education (Harvard).But this is only a small part of my journey...
2000s - LEARNING
1999-2004. I earned my high school diploma in Caposele, Southern Italy, where I received my school's "Student of the Year" award in recognition of the highest academic achievement in 1999. I went on to study Dentistry and graduated cum laude five years later (photo above). My DMD dissertation, “Verso una migliore comprensione dei meccanismi che causano l’acantolisi nel Pemfigo Volgare” (Towards a Better Understanding of the Mechanisms Causing Acantholysis in Pemphigus Vulgaris), was awarded the "Valerio Margiotta Award" by the Italian Society for Oral Pathology and Medicine (SIPMO) as the best national thesis of the year.
2004-2007. My PhD combined clinical training in Oral Medicine with laboratory-based research. Clinically, I specialised in oral immunopathology through rotations in Naples (Prof. Gombos), Palermo (Prof. Campisi), Florence (Prof. Ficarra), and San Francisco at UCSF with Prof. Francina Lozada-Nur.In parallel, I carried out experimental research at the University of Naples in the Laboratories of Experimental Medicine and Experimental Pathology, working with Prof. Claudio Napoli in close collaboration with Nobel Laureate Prof. Louis J. Ignarro. This provided extensive training in kinase signalling, high-throughput methodologies, and oxidative stress research.At UCSF I joined Prof. Randall Kramer's laboratory to investigate the role of cell–cell adhesion in oral cancer progression.
The photograph above was taken in the San Francisco Bay Area with my lab colleagues during a gathering hosted by Prof. Kramer.
2008. Early in my postdoctoral career, I was a strong advocate of oral cancer screening and early detection. This led me to participate in community-based screening programmes in rural India and, years later, in Indonesia. The photograph was taken during one of these programmes in rural Kerala and shows Prof. Gigi Thomas conducting an oral cancer screening examination.
2008-2012. As a Clinical Lecturer in Oral Medicine at the University of Bristol, I worked alongside leading figures in oral medicine and pathology, including Stephen Prime, Crispian Scully, and John Eveson. At Bristol Dental Hospital, I provided specialist care for patients with complex oral diseases, with particular responsibility for the management of oral autoimmune disorders.Alongside my clinical work, my research focused on cell–cell adhesion and its role in cancer biology. During this time, I made two key contributions: the discovery of the oral glucocorticoid system, demonstrating that oral keratinocytes can synthesise and metabolise cortisol; and the first description of the desmosomal adhesome, defining the system-level interactome underlying desmosomal adhesion.This was my first academic appointment and my introduction to British culture. The photo was taken at the final-year student dinner in 2008.
2010s - BUILDING
2012. Early in 2012 I moved to Dammam after accepting a position of Associate Professor and Consultant at the University of Dammam (now IAU). This year in Saudi Arabia was one of the most inspiring periods in my life. During my time in Dammam, I developed CREATING, a strategic framework for biomedical higher education in Saudi Arabia. The initiative emerged from a collaborative effort and has inspired subsequent reforms in academic dentistry at the university and beyond.
2012-2025. Soon afterwards, an opportunity that had been taking shape for some time finally materialised, and I relocated to Australia in late 2012. I was fortunate to spend more than a decade at the University of Melbourne—consistently ranked among the world's leading universities—and to live in Melbourne, recognised as the world's most liveable city for seven years in a row.As a senior academic, I developed a new Dental Medicine course and Research Project programme for the Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) programme, which went on to become one of its most successful components. During this time, I supervised eight PhD students to completion, all of whom received prizes and awards during their candidature. Many have since gone on to become leaders in academia and clinical practice.My research also expanded internationally. I supervised Indonesia's first oral cancer screening initiative and became a strong advocate for strengthening oral medicine competencies among general dental practitioners. Scientifically, my work led to the development of a novel therapy for the prevention of cancer treatment-induced mucositis and to the characterisation of the cancer-associated glucocorticoid system.
2015-current. This decade was arguably the most important of my life. Francesca and I got engaged and married, and travelled extensively together. Ultimately, we decided to settle in Italy, prompting me to embark on a new phase of professional development that would allow me to work more flexibly. In my hometown of Caposele, I was deeply honoured to receive the 2016 Premio Caposele (Citizen of the Year Award). This photo was taken during our beach wedding in Bora Bora, French Polynesia.
2020s - LEADING
2021-current. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I developed a strong interest in epidemiology and the study of drug-related adverse effects. This period also prompted me to reflect more broadly on the gap between clinical practice and population-level evidence, as well as on the psychological dimensions of health and disease—interests that have shaped the next stage of my career.As these interests evolved, I reduced my appointment at the University of Melbourne and increasingly took on international leadership, editorial, and advisory roles. I became a recognised reference in the field of oral and maxillofacial manifestations of COVID-19 vaccination, contributing invited commentaries and reviews, including for The Lancet Infectious Diseases. I also served as Editor and Associate Editor for several international journals, External Examiner at University College London, the International Islamic University Malaysia, and the University of Jordan, and was later appointed Honorary Professor at the University of Jordan. In the photo above, I am serving as a panellist at the 2nd Honorary Professors' Forum in Amman.At the same time, I began working more closely with industry, applying research evidence to innovation and product development. This eventually led to my appointment as Head of Research for CoTreat, an Australian MedTech company.
2025-current. More recently, I returned to Italy under the country's "Rientro dei Cervelli" (Return of Researchers) programme as Professor of Advanced Medical Sciences at the University of Foggia. There, I am leading the development of a new centre of excellence in dentistry while helping to train the next generation of clinicians and researchers. At the same time, I continue to provide strategic advice and hold academic appointments at universities around the world. This photo was taken at a recent SCALPEL/OPMDay congress where I was one of the local organisers.
Always. Amid all of this, my greatest aspiration is to be a full-time parent to my three children. While my career has taken me across countries and disciplines, family has always remained my compass. Every important decision I have made has ultimately been driven by what is best for them.
MY WORK
Education. Innovation. Impact.
Clinician-scientist and epidemiologist by training, academic strategist by vocation, I have held senior appointments at leading universities across the UK, Australia, Saudi Arabia, and Italy. I have attracted over 2mln research funding and authored more than 200 peer-reviewed publications and four specialist books, directed digital health start-ups, and developed strategic programmes for higher education. My focus is simple: translating knowledge into practical solutions with real-world impact.
ACADEMIC LEADERSHIP
RESEARCH
VENTURES
MY BOOKS
Basic science
My first books were for ultra-specialist audience. Pathophysiology of the Desmosome featured some of the word's most renowned researchers in cell-cell adhesion from the US, Japan, UK, Germany, France, and Italy. The monograph Techniques in Epidermal Biology published a collection of original research showcasing experimental techniques for the study of epithelial biology.
Clinical science
My first clinical textbook focused on cancer treatment–induced oral mucositis, and its second edition has now been published. My new textbook, Notes in Clinical Oral Pathology, is scheduled for release in late 2026 both in Italian and English.
Pop science
One of my proudest achievements has been co-authoring a children's book with my son, Gerard. To learn more, visit gerardcirillo.carrd.co. My first popular science book, Unspeakable, is inspired by the scientific method and offers a critique of the censorship imposed by the system. It will be published in late 2026.
MY CONTACT
Writing and Speaking
I am frequently invited to speak at scientific congresses, participate in interviews and seminars, and contribute op-eds and articles. While I must decline most requests due to time constraints and family commitments, I am always open to considering invitations on topics of strong mutual interest.
Australia's Dental Divide
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