Dr. David S. Carlson received his doctoral degree in biological anthropology from the University of Massachusetts and completed postdoctoral training at the University of Michigan. He joined the faculty of the University of Michigan in 1978. He moved to Baylor College of Dentistry in 1993 as chairman of the Department of Biomedical Sciences and also became the inaugural Robert E. Gaylord Endowed Chair of Orthodontics. In 1999 he also assumed the role of Associate Dean for Research and Advanced Education. In 2002 he received the Regents Professor Award from Texas A&M, and in 2003 became Vice President for Research and Graduate Studies of the Texas A&M Health Science Center. He is now Vice President for Research for the Health Science Center and Dean of the School of Graduate Studies. Dr. Carlson has served on several regular and Special Study Sections for the National Institutes of Health. His research interests on the development, growth, and adaptation of the craniofacial complex have resulted in over 200 scientific publications, including approximately 100 peer-reviewed papers and 13 edited books bridging basic biology and clinical treatment of craniofacial deformities.