An oral health researcher, Dr. Thomas Diekwisch serves the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) College of Dentistry in his roles as head of the Department of Oral Biology and professor. Before accepting his present position, Dr. Diekwisch joined UIC as the Allan G. Brodie Endowed Chair and the first Brodie Laboratory for Craniofacial Genetics director. Through the laboratory, Dr. Thomas Diekwisch helped carry out molecular research focusing on the scientific development of stem cells, craniofacial tissue engineering, and other areas.
Earlier in his career, Dr. Thomas Diekwisch worked at Philipps-University of Marburg in the Departments of Anatomy and Periodontics as research associate and clinical instructor. After completing his post-doctoral education in the United States, he accepted a teaching position at the Baylor College of Dentistry. While there, Dr. Diekwisch created Habitat for Science, a renowned science education outreach initiative.
Prior to pursuing academics, Dr. Diekwisch grew up in what was then West Germany. Members of his family risked death by remaining social democrats and by opposing Nazi rule in the lead-up to and during World War II.