Dr. Mark Ryder is a Professor of Periodontology and former Chair of the Division of Periodontology and Director of the Postgraduate program in Periodontology at the University of California, San Francisco, where he has been a faculty member for the past 42 years. He received his dental and specialty training from the Harvard School of Dental Medicine. He has lectured extensively on a variety of research and educational topics. His current research interests include connections between periodontal diseases and Alzheimer?s Disease, the links between oral and systemic health in HIV patients, and basic and clinical trials on novel periodontal therapies. He has received awards from both the University of California and from national organizations for his entertaining and informative lectures, and for his contributions to dental education.