Mary L. Marazita

marazita@pitt.edu
412-648-8381

Appointments at the University of Pittsburgh

• Director, Center for Craniofacial and Dental Genetics
• Associate Dean for Research, School of Dental Medicine
• Professor & Chair, Department of Oral Biology, School of Dental Medicine
• Professor, Department of Human Genetics, Graduate School of Public Health
• Professor, Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine

Founding Fellow of the American College of Medical Genetics, 1993
Ph.D. Medical Genetics Board Certification, 1987
Post-Doc, University of Southern California, 1980-1982
Ph.D., University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, 1980
B.S., Michigan State University, 1976

Research Interests

Craniofacial birth defects (primarily cleft lip and palate), statistical genetics, phenotype delineation, genetics of complex human traits (primarily oral health and preterm birth)

Research Summary

Dr. Marazita’s research focuses on the genetics of birth defects (primarily cleft lip, cleft palate and other craniofacial anomalies), of oral health, and of other complex phenotypes.  Dr. Marazita conducts statistical genetic analysis to investigate the familial patterns of such disorders, and to identify the etiologic genes in both U.S. and international populations.  A major current focus is statistical analyses and genetic mapping studies of nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate in China, India, Guatemala, Spain, Hungary, the Philippines, and various sites in the U.S.  An important aspect of these studies is expanding the phenotype of orofacial clefting to include features such as orbiculoris oris muscle anatomy, VPI, and asymmetry.  A second major focus is investigating factors contributing to oral health disparities, for example genetic, microbial, and epidemiological factors contributing to caries and other oral health phenotypes in Appalachia.  Other current collaborations include investigations of pre-term birth, epilepsy, SIDS, and other congenital anomalies.

Additional Information

School of Dental Medicine

Department of Oral Biology (SDM)

Department of Human Genetics (GSPH)

Department of Psychiatry (SOM)