Dr. Socorro is a Research Assistant Professor in Dr. Almarza's lab. She earned her DDS and PhD degrees in Venezuela. She joined the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine in 2018, where she gained postdoctoral research experience working on determining the role of mineralization-regulating transcription factors in susceptibility to dental caries and on defining novel protein-protein interactions between transcription factors, crucial for skeletal and dental tissue mineralization. Her research interests involve advancing our understanding of the fundamental molecular mechanisms involved in formation of skeletal and dental tissues as well as understanding the development of temporomandibular joint disorders.
- Socorro M, Hoskere P, Roberts C, Lukashova L, Verdelis K, Beniash E, Napierala D. Deficiency of Mineralization-Regulating Transcription Factor Trps1 Compromises Quality of Dental Tissues and Increases Susceptibility to Dental Caries. Front Dent Med. 2022;3:875987. doi: 10.3389/fdmed.2022.875987. Epub 2022 Apr 11. PMID: 35573139; PMCID: PMC9106314.
- Rodriguez UA, Socorro M, Criscimanna A, Martins CP, Mohamed N, Hu J, Prasadan K, Gittes GK, Esni F. Alpha to beta cell conversion in the postpartum mouse pancreas involves lgr5 progeny. Diabetes. 2021 Apr 27:db201059. doi: 10.2337/db20-1059. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 33906911.
- Khalid S, Yamazaki H, Socorro M, Monier D, Beniash E, Napierala D. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation as an underlying mechanism of inorganic phosphate (Pi)-induced mineralization of osteogenic cells. Free Radic Biol Med. 2020 Jun;153:103-111. doi: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2020.04.008. Epub 2020 Apr 21. PMID: 32330587; PMCID: PMC7262875.
- Socorro M, Shinde A, Yamazaki H, Khalid S, Monier D, Beniash E, Napierala D. Trps1 transcription factor represses phosphate-induced expression of SerpinB2 in osteogenic cells. Bone. 2020 Dec;141:115673. doi: 10.1016/j.bone.2020.115673. Epub 2020 Oct 3. PMID: 33022456; PMCID: PMC7680451.
- Tandon M, Coudriet GM, Criscimanna A, Socorro M, Eliliwi M, Singhi AD, Cruz-Monserrate Z, Bailey P, Lotze MT, Zeh H, Hu J, Goffin V, Gittes GK, Biankin AV, Esni F. Prolactin Promotes Fibrosis and Pancreatic Cancer Progression. Cancer Res. 2019 Oct 15;79(20):5316-5327. doi: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-18-3064. Epub 2019 Aug 8. PMID: 31395607; PMCID: PMC6801092.
- Goss M*, Socorro M*, Monier D, Verdelis K, Napierala D (2019). Trps1 transcription factor regulates mineralization of dental tissues and proliferation of tooth organ cells. Mol Genet Metab. 2019 Jan 23. pii: S1096-7192(18)30506-7. doi:10.1016/j.ymgme.2019.01.014.
- Socorro M, Criscimanna A, Riva P, Tandon M, Prasadan K, Guo P, Humar A, Husain S, Leach S, Gittes G, Esni F. Identification of Newly Committed Pancreatic Cells in the Adult Mouse Pancreas. Sci Rep. 2017 Dec 13;7(1):17539. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-17884-z.
- Socorro, M and Esni, Farzad (2017). Pancreatic Regeneration: Models, Mechanisms, and Inconsistencies. Pancreapedia: Exocrine Pancreas Knowledge Base, doi: 10.3998/panc.2017.03
- Lefils-Lacourtablaise J, Socorro M, Géloën A, Daira P, Debard C, et al. (2013) The Eicosapentaenoic Acid Metabolite 15-Deoxy-δ12,14-Prostaglandin J3 Increases Adiponectin Secretion by Adipocytes Partly via a PPARγ-Dependent Mechanism. PLoS ONE, 2013 8(5):e63997. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0063997.
- Rojas-Sanchez F, Socorro M, Gómez D, Bentolila R, Santos M, Torres J, Rivera H (2012). Prevalence of Dental Caries and Fluorosis in endemic Fluorosis areas in Portuguesa state, Venezuela. Acta Odontológica Venezolana. Vol. 50 Nº 1.
- Rivera H, Bentolila R, Santos M, Socorro M, Gómez D, Torres J, Hernández MF, Mujica V, Rojas- Sanchez F (2010). Smokeless Tobacco “Chimo” Use among Children and Adolescents in Portuguesa State. Acta Odontológica Venezolana. Vol. 48 N° 3.
- Acevedo AM, Ray MV, Socorro M, Rojas-Sánchez F (2009).Frequency and distribution of Mutans Streptococci in dental plaque from caries-free and caries-affected Venezuelan children. Acta Odontol Latinoam. 2009;22(1):15-20.
- Montero M, Rojas-Sánchez F, Socorro M, Gómez D, Torres J, Acevedo AM (2007). Dental caries and fluorosis in children consuming water with different fluoride concentrations in Maiquetía, Vargas State, Venezuela. Investigación Clínica. Volume 48 N° 1 .
- Socorro M, Gómez D, Torres J, Acevedo AM, Rojas-Sánchez F (2007). Oral hygiene and socioeconomic status of children between 15 and 20 months of age. Acta Odontológica Venezolana. Volume 45 N°2.
- Socorro M, Rojas-Sánchez F, Torres J, Gómez D, Acevedo AM (2004). Chemical monitoring of table salt in Venezuela. Revista Venezuela Odontológica. Volume 57 N° 1.
Dr. Socorro’s scientific interest is to determine how genetic factors, specifically those regulating formation of dental tissues, contribute to individual susceptibility and a higher dental caries incidence. A fundamental understanding of the transcriptional regulation of the mineralization process will result in opportunities to develop better options for effective prevention of dental caries and for the identification of high-risk groups, by providing possible targets for dental and oral diseases caused by developmental defects in mineralization.