Karol Apaza Alccayhuaman
Karol Apaza Alccayhuaman is a clinician–scientist currently based in Basel, Switzerland, where she works as a Research Assistant in the Laboratory of Biomaterials and Technology. Her research focuses on epithelial–bone interactions, periodontal regeneration, and bone biology, with particular emphasis on collagen biomaterials, autophagy, apoptotic signaling, and translational models of periodontal and peri-implant tissue healing.
She has over a decade of clinical experience and completed her specialization in Periodontics and Implant Dentistry at the Peruvian University Cayetano Heredia in Lima, where she also served as an Assistant Professor while maintaining private clinical practice. Motivated by a strong interest in research, she pursued advanced academic training in Europe, earning a Laurea Magistrale from D’Annunzio University of Chieti–Pescara and conducting histological and translational research at ARDEC Academy in Rimini.
In 2019, Karol joined the Medical University of Vienna as a doctoral researcher and Osteology Research Scholar, where she pursued her PhD under the supervision of Prof. Reinhard Gruber. Her doctoral work investigates the role of Fas Ligand (FasL) in osteogenesis and periodontal disease, integrating undecalcified histology, micro-CT, and experimental periodontitis models. In parallel, her research has contributed to advances in maxillary sinus augmentation, biomaterial consolidation, and the biofunctionalization of collagen membranes as osteoconductive scaffolds.
Through Osteology Advanced Traineeships and ITI-supported training, she further developed expertise in undecalcified histology, immunohistochemistry analysis at the Universities of Bern and Stanford, while continuing her research activities with the Medical University of Vienna. Her work has been recognized with multiple international awards, including the Robert Frank Award at the CED-IADR and the IADR Implantology Research Group Young Investigator Prize. Karol maintains active international collaborations and is committed to advancing translational periodontal research and supporting the visibility and mentorship of women in dental and biomedical sciences.