Preethi Chander, Ph.D.

Dr. Preethi Chander is the Director of the NIDCR Immunomodulatory Oral Science Program within the Division of Extramural Research. She administers research and small business grants on saliva, salivary gland biology, and immune aspects of oral diseases such as caries and periodontal diseases.

Dr. Chander comes to NIDCR from the National Eye Institute (NEI), where she was program coordinator for the NIH Common Fund Nanomedicine Program. At the NEI Office of Program Planning and Analysis, she was also involved with NEI reporting activities and the NEI Audacious Goals Initiative. Dr. Chander earned her Ph.D. in biochemistry and molecular biology from Purdue University in Indiana and did her postdoctoral studies in eye and vision sciences at the NEI’s Intramural Research Program.