Dr. Richard Crout serves as the Associate Dean for Research, Professor in the Department of Periodontics, and Professor of Biochemistry in the School of Medicine. He has been employed by the SOD for 26 years. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology, Master of Science and Doctorate degrees in Pharmacology, and a Doctorate of Dental Medicine from the University of Pittsburgh. He has been awarded a certificate from the General Practice Residency Program at Montefiore Hospital in Pittsburgh and a certificate in Periodontics from the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Crout directs WV efforts on a seven year, 7.6 million dollar collaborative NIH study with the University of Pittsburgh entitled "Genetic Factors Contributing to Oral Health Disparities in Appalachia". He finds great satisfaction working with multiple faculty and student research projects and was the recipient of the Student Research Development Award (as selected by the Student Research Group of the WV Section of the American Association for Dental Research) in October 2003.