Dr. Marquis is Professor of Microbiology and Immunology, and also Professor in the Center for Oral Biology at the University of Rochester, NY. He has a long and distinguished career investigating numerous aspects of the bacteria that cause dental caries. He was one of the pioneers in the study of the basic effects of fluoride on microbial metabolism. He has long been a leader in this field and has clearly demonstrated that fluoride at low concentrations has profound effects on bacterial metabolism in dental plaque. He has also been a leader in research into acid-base metabolism in dental plaque, and the importance of ATPase in the acid tolerance of oral bacteria. This is a phenomenon critical in the pathogenesis of dental caries. His work on the physiology of oral biofilms has elucidated several phenomena, including the mechanisms of acid tolerance. He has also contributed significantly in the study of antibacterial agents, and also the role of oxidative stress on oral bacteria.
The IADR Research in Dental Caries Award, supported by Pfizer Consumer Healthcare, consists of a cash prize and a plaque. It is one of 15 Distinguished Scientist Awards conferred annually by the IADR, representing the highest honor the IADR can bestow.