# Delaying solutions to chronic oral diseases ![Dr. Silva in a white coat leaning on a lab bench](/sites/g/files/omnuum6001/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/2025-07/Silva-headshot%20in%20lab.jpg?itok=gnCADDR_) [Dr. Lakmali M. Silva](https://www.hsdm.harvard.edu/people/munasinghage-lakmali-silva) studies how bleeding and inflammation responses interact at the body’s barrier sites, specifically at the inner lining of the mouth. Her work focuses on periodontitis, a chronic inflammatory disease that damages the gums, ligaments, and bone supporting the teeth. As the most severe form of gum disease, it can lead to tooth loss if left untreated. Her research centers on gaining a better understanding of how fibrin, platelets, and other blood clotting factors contribute to the development of periodontitis, with the goal of identifying molecules that could be targeted for treatment. As a young investigator, Silva is navigating a critical point in her career and is deeply concerned about losing federal research funding. In a recent conversation with HSDM, she shared how she found her calling in research and how cuts to federal research funding would jeopardize efforts to better understand and treat gum disease. ## Can you share what inspired your path into your current field of study? I pursued my Bachelor of Science and Honors degrees at the University of Peradeniya in Sri Lanka. Curiosity to understand how proteases—a type of enzyme—can influence or affect how a disease develops over time led me to pursue a PhD on serine proteases in ovarian cancer at the Queensland University of Technology in Australia, and eventually to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the United States for my post-doctoral studies. At the NIH, I further delved into how the deficiency of a serine protease, plasminogen, weakens the protective barrier of the mouth and identified a new way that proteins (fibrin) and immune cells (neutrophils) play a role in gum disease and bone loss around the teeth. This work resulted in a breakthrough in understanding the cause of periodontal disease. At Harvard School of Dental Medicine, as a principal investigator, I’m now building on these experiences to explore how our immune and clotting systems interact in the oral mucosa, with the hope of uncovering new ways to promote oral health. This path has been shaped by mentors, challenges, and a deep commitment to making a difference in people’s lives. ## Why does this research matter for the broader community? Untreated oral diseases like periodontitis cost the U.S. billions annually in lost productivity and medical expenses, and they disproportionately affect marginalized populations. By reducing inflammation-related complications, our research could improve overall health while alleviating strain on the broader healthcare system which the government is focused on doing. Our work sheds light on the delicate balance between healing and inflammation in the mouth—an area that often goes overlooked but is vital to our well-being. By understanding these underlying processes, we open the door to new treatments that could prevent or even reverse oral diseases like periodontitis. Ultimately, the impact reaches far beyond the dental chair, offering hope for healthier lives and communities. ## What federally funded research are you currently leading? With support from the NIH’s K99/R00 Pathway to Independence Award, which is now halted halfway through, my team and I were investigating how clotting factors and immune cells interact in the progression of gum disease. Periodontitis affects millions and has ripple effects on overall health, yet treatment options remain limited. By learning how certain proteins (fibrin) and immune cells (neutrophils) work together, we aim to lay the groundwork for innovative therapies that could transform care for patients everywhere. Having grown up in Sri Lanka and trained across three continents, I’ve seen how oral health disparities affect lives. My mission is not just to publish papers, but to build a global framework for prevention and care that reaches every community. For this, we need stable federal funds. ## Who is most affected by setbacks to this research due to a lack of funding? The consequences will be felt most by patients waiting for new solutions to chronic oral diseases. Progress will slow, delaying discoveries that have the potential to improve—and even save lives. Continued support ensures that we can keep moving forward, translating scientific insights into real-world impact for those who need it most. Without stable funding, critical experiments will pause, early-career researchers in my lab may have to leave science, and the slow crawl of discovery will become a standstill. We risk losing not just research, but researchers. --- *Dr. Lakmali M. Silva is an assistant professor of Oral Medicine, Infection, and Immunity at Harvard School of Dental Medicine.* Filed under:- [ researchers ](/resource-categories/researchers)