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Peter Gakunga, D.D.S., M.S., Ph.D.

Dental School
Developmental Dentistry
210-567-3507
gakunga@uthscsa.edu

UT Health Science Center orthodontist Dr. Peter Gakunga

Dr. Peter Gakunga is an assistant professor in the Department of Orthodontics. He is a clinician/scientist with specialized training in orthodontics, as well as doctoral and postdoctoral training in oral biology and craniofacial growth and development.

Dr. Gakunga is a graduate of the Dental School, University of Nairobi, Kenya. He is also a graduate of UT Health San Antonio Orthodontic Residency Program. He obtained his basic science graduate training at the University of California, Los Angeles, and the University of California, San Francisco. He was a National Institutes of Health fellow at Baylor College of Dentistry.

Dr. Gakunga's research is focused on deciphering the molecules that control growth in the cranial base synchondroses. This work uses the mouse model, as well as a novel cranial base organ culture system. The current phase of this study is designed to decipher the role played by a potent growth factor, TGF-b1, in mediating the exquisitely controlled changes that are the hallmark of craniofacial synchondrosal growth. This work has potential for furthering our understanding of craniofacial growth and development, including the modulation of orthodontic and dentofacial orthopedic forces. It also has the potential of providing an effective screening method for some craniofacial congenital disorders.

Education

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Appointments

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12/2005 - Present Associate Professor and Director, Orthodontics Internship Program University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Developmental Dentistry, San Antonio, TX

Expertise

Publications

Teaching

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Date Description Institution # Students
9/2012 - Present Post-Doctoral Student Supervision UTHSCSA
9/2012 - Present ORT 203 Craniofacial Anomalies Team 6 students
Course Director - This is a clinical course. I provide orthodontic leadership to the craniofacial anomalies team. This consists of a 5 hour grand round once a month, and management of orthodontic preparation of the patients, for craniofacial surgery Second year orthodontic residents and interns rotate through this team and are under my direction.
9/2012 - Present Post-Doctoral Student Supervision UTHSCSA
9/2011 - Present SELC 7122 2 students
I serve as a teaching/mentor in this academic dental career mentorship course. This course is run by the dental dean`s office and is focused on introducing dental students to academic careers.
7/2011 - Present ORT 202 Hospital Orthodontics 6 students
Course Director
7/2011 - Present ORT 352 Current Literature Review 13 students
Course Director
7/2011 - Present ORT 204 Craniofacial Anomalies Review 5 students
Course Director
6/2011 - Present Post-Doctoral Student Supervision UTHSCSA
7/2010 - Present Post-Doctoral Student Supervision UTHSCSA
7/2010 - Present Post-Doctoral Student Supervision UTHSCSA
9/2009 - Present Membership on Supervising Committee Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences UTHSCSA/UTSA
4/2008 - Present Membership on Supervising Committee UTHSCSA
8/2007 - Present Dental Biomed Core II The University of Texas Health Science Center 30 students
Course Director - The Biomedical Core Course provides a multidisciplinary approach to basic science instruction as it relates to the clinical practice of dentistry. Both basic science and clinical science faculty participate.
8/2007 - Present Dental Biomed Core I The University of Texas Health Science Center 30 students
Course Director - As the director of this course, I manage 6 section leaders, and 31 faculty drawn from the dental school, medical school, graduate division, and the Veteran`s Administration hospital. This course is required for all UTHSCSA 1st year residents/graduate students in orthodontics, prosthodontics, periodontics, radiology and endodontics. The course also serves the military residents from the dental residency programs at Lackland Airbase. The Biomedical Core Course provides a multidisciplinary approach to basic science instruction as it relates to the clinical practice of dentistry. Both basic science and clinical science faculty participate.
10/2005 - Present High School/Junior High School Student Supervision Northside Independent School Disctrict
8/2005 - Present Craniofacial Growth and Development-Biomedical Core Course INTD 5021 30 students
Course Director - As the director of this course, I manage 6 faculty from the dental school.
This course is required for all UTHSCSA 1st year residents in orthodontics, prosthodontics, periodontics, radiology and endodontics. The course also serves the military residents from the dental residency programs at Lackland Airbase.
8/2005 - Present Growth and Development The University of Texas Health Science Center 98 students
Course Director
6/2005 - Present ORT105 5 students
8/2004 - Present Orthodontics I The University of Texas Health Science Center
This lecture is designed to introduce pediatric dentistry, orthodontics and radiology residents to advanced craniofacial growth and development.
1/2004 - Present ORT111 5 students
Course Director
5/2003 - Present Introduction to Orthodontics for Dental Hygiene Students 14 students
Lecture and interactive course to the first year dental hygiene class. This course was designed to introduce the dental hygiene student to the orthodontic environment.
9/2002 - Present Preclin Orthodontic Techniques The University of Texas Health Science Center
8/2002 - Present Orthodontics The University of Texas Health Science Center
Small group problem-based orthodontic case analysis for third year dental students
1/2002 - Present Orthodontics Lecture The University of Texas Health Science Center 98 students