Center for Craniofacial Research & Diagnosis

The mission of the Center Craniofacial Research and Diagnosis is to increase our understanding of normal and pathological craniofacial biology leading to better patient treatment of the craniofacial region. Organizationally, the CCRD represents a consortium of both internal and external related, but independent research programs that share a common interest in basic craniofacial biology with the translational goal of new treatments of the craniofacial region. The CCRD is organized specifically to facilitate integration between basic and clinical sciences that cuts across all departments and research /clinical programs within Texas A&M School of Dentistry. An important aspect of the CCRD is synergistic interactions with other Texas A&M schools and local institutions studying the basic and clinical biology of the craniofacial region leading to improved patient treatment. The CCRD also supports advanced postgraduate training in the area of craniofacial biology.

The specific goals of the CCRD are to provide the environment, resources, and a multidisciplinary-based organization that will facilitate:

• expansion of interdisciplinary approaches to research related to basic and clinical sciences
• hiring of funded clinical translational researchers and increasing the funding of current researchers
• improving techniques for diagnosis of craniofacial disorders associated with growth, function, and aging
• enhancing treatment of diseases and disorders of the craniofacial complex training of the next generation of health professionals and scientists fully engaged in translational research