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The Development of an early detection tool for oral-dental radiation induced injury

Award Number: F31DE035777
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF DENTAL AND CRANIOFACIAL RESEARCH
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: FELLOWSHIP/SCHOLARSHIP/STUDENT LOANS
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 02/01/2026
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 01/31/2029

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The Development of an early detection tool for oral-dental radiation induced injury - Osteoradionecrosis (ORN) of the jaw is a severe complication of radiotherapy (RT) in head and neck cancer patients, leading to significant oral dysfunction and compromised quality of life. Early detection is critical for timely intervention, yet current clinical methods often fail to identify ORN before irreversible damage occurs. This F31 project leverages Al-powered radiographic analysis to enhance ORN detection and management by developing predictive models and automated tools to assist clinicians. In Specific Aim 1, I will establish a clinical benchmark by evaluating the consistency of clinician assessments of radiographic ORN. This benchmark will provide a gold standard for comparison with Al-based models. Specific Aim 2 will focus on developing an automated segmentation tool to segment ORN on radiographic images, using physician-generated contours as the ground truth. Specific Aim 3 involves building a predictive model based on radiographic density changes {delta-HU) to identify patients at higher risk of ORN early in the treatment process. The training goals of this award will provide me with essential sills in Al model development, medical imaging techniques, and clinical decision support tools, all within the specialized field of radiation oncology. Through mentorship at MD Anderson Cancer Center, an internationally recognized leader in cancer treatment and research, I will gain the expertise necessary to translate these innovations into clinical practice. This research aligns with the mission of NIDCR by advancing technology that reduces radiation induced oral morbidities, ultimately improving patient outcomes in dental and oral health related to radiotherapy.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2026 ( Subtotal = $38,325 )
2026	2026	THE UNIVERISTY OF TEXAS M.D. ANDERSON CANCER CENTER	1515 HOLCOMBE BLVD	HOUSTON	TX	77030	HARRIS	USA	Oral Diseases and Disorders Research	000	1	1/21/2026	NEW	$38,325
2026	2026	THE UNIVERISTY OF TEXAS M.D. ANDERSON CANCER CENTER	1515 HOLCOMBE BLVD	HOUSTON	TX	77030	HARRIS	USA	Oral Diseases and Disorders Research	001	1	1/21/2026	NEW	$0
														Subtotal = $38,325

Grand Total All Awards = $38,325

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The Development of an early detection tool for oral-dental radiation induced injury

Award Number: F31DE035777

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF DENTAL AND CRANIOFACIAL RESEARCH

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: FELLOWSHIP/SCHOLARSHIP/STUDENT LOANS

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 02/01/2026

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 01/31/2029

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