November 2008
Dr. Lawrence A. Tabak was appointed as the seventh director of the NIDCR in September 2000. As Director, he provides leadership for a team of ~500 scientists, administrators and support staff with an approximate annual budget of ~$389 million.
In November 2008, Dr. Tabak was appointed as acting principal deputy director of the NIH. While serving in this capacity, Dr. Tabak continues as NIDCR director.
Prior to joining NIH, Dr. Tabak was the senior associate dean for research and professor of dentistry and biochemistry & biophysics in the School of Medicine and Dentistry at the University of Rochester in New York. A former NIH MERIT recipient, Dr. Tabak’s major research focus has been on the structure, biosynthesis, and function of mucin-glycoproteins. He continues work in this area, maintaining an active research laboratory (within NIDDK) in addition to his administrative duties.
Dr. Tabak has received several honors and awards for his work, including being elected a fellow of the AAAS and a member of the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies. Dr. Tabak received his undergraduate degree from City College of the City University of New York, his D.D.S. from Columbia University, and a Ph.D. from the State University of New York at Buffalo.