Manish Arora BDS, MPH, PhD, FICD

Manish Arora, BDS, MPH, PhD, FICD, is the Edith J. Baerwald Professor and Vice Chairman of the Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Dr. Arora is an environmental epidemiologist and exposure biologist. He graduated with a Ph.D. from the University of Sydney in 2006, and undertook postgraduate fellowship training at the Harvard School of Public Health. Dr. Arora’s research focuses on effects of prenatal and early childhood chemical exposures on life-long health trajectories.
He is known for his work on biomarkers that utilize human deciduous and permanent teeth to reconstruct the timing of exposure to various harmful chemicals and essential nutrients, and biological response to those environmental factors. His methods are being applied to the study of outcomes that are national health priorities, including autism, schizophrenia, and Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS).
Dr. Arora has also undertaken research on the intersection of oral and systemic health with the environment. His work supports shared genetic risk factors between periodontal disease and various cancers (pancreatic, colorectal, and prostate cancers). He has also reported increased risk of periodontal disease and dental caries in those exposed to environmental metal toxicants. In recognition of his research, he was awarded the PECASE medal by the office of President Obama.