Walter J. Loesche, DMD, PhD, is a professor of Dentistry, School of Dentistry, and Professor of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Michigan. He was the director for research from 1987-1989 and is a past president of the American Association for Dental Research. Loesche’s research has focused on the specific role of certain bacteria in dental caries and periodontal disease.