Executive Team

Dr. Wenyuan Shi was appointed Chief Executive Officer and Chief Scientific Officer of the Forsyth Insitute on September 1, 2017. Before his appointment, Shi was a chairman and professor of Oral Biology at UCLA Schools of Dentistry. Shi's laboratory has been usingmultidisciplinary approaches to study oral microbial pathogenesis with a specific focus on microbial biofilm, inter-species interaction and signal transduction. In addition, Shi's laboratory is actively involved in the development of next generation diagnostic and therapeutic tools against oral microbial infections, including instant chairside detection of oral pathogens and peptide-based targeted antimicrobial therapeutics. These translational research efforts have resulted in novel technologies that are licensed and developed by major pharmaceutical, dental and biotech companies. Shi is also the founding scientist, chief scientific officer and chairman of the scientific advisory board of C3J Therapeutics Inc.

Shi obtained his BS degree from Fudan University in Shanghai in 1984, acquired his PhD degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1991 and fulfilled his postdoctoral training at the University of California-Berkeley from 1992-1995. He is the co-author of over 200 scientific articles and is credited as co-inventor of 45 patents.

Wanda Cordova is Chief Financial Officer of the Forsyth Institute. Cordova joined Forsyth from the Broad Institute where she served as Controller.

As CFO, Cordova is responsible for leading the financial planning for the institute. In this role, she oversees the financial planning and budgeting, cost accounting, cash management, procurement, investments and the contracts/grants administration for Forsyth. Cordova has solid experience in research budgets and a strong understanding of the intricacies of an independent academic research organization.

Cordova has more than 12 years accounting and financial management experience. In her role at the Broad, she was responsible for ensuring proper internal controls, safeguarding of assets, and compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and policies. Cordova worked closely with senior leadership to develop strong financial reporting in support of strategic management. Prior to joining the Broad, Wanda worked at the PricewaterhouseCoopers, one of the four largest accounting firms in the country.

Cordova received her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Suffolk University in 2002 and has been a Certified Public Accountant since 2006.  

Thomas Van Dyke is Vice President for Clinical and Translational Research and Chair of the Department of Applied Oral Sciences. He provides leadership for Forsyth’s clinical research team and is responsible for expanding Forsyth’s clinical presence in the research community. Dr. Van Dyke drives the Institute’s efforts to expand Forsyth’s connections to industry and corporate partners.

Dr. Van Dyke is a world renowned leader in translational research. His clinical research team has focused largely on drug treatment for periodontitis and issues related to systematic diseases such as diabetes.  He has broad connections with corporations and universities worldwide. Dr. Van Dyke joined Forsyth from Boston University were he  was  Professor, Department of Periodontology and Oral Biology, Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine; Program Director, Postdoctoral Periodontology; Director, Clinical Research Center, and Associate Director Boston University School of Medicine General Clinical Research Center.   

Thomas E. Van Dyke received his dental degree in 1973 from Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA and a PhD in Oral Biology from State University of New York at Buffalo, NY in 1982. Dr. Van Dyke has published more than 250 papers in basic immunology related to inflammatory periodontal infections. Since 1995, Dr. Van Dyke's research has focused on the regulation of the innate immune response by active endogenous pathways.

He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology and he received the IADR Award for Basic Research in Periodontology in 2001 and the Norton Ross Award for Excellence in Clinical Research in 2002.  He serves, or has served,  on the editorial boards of Infection and Immunity, Journal of Periodontology, Journal of Periodontal Research, Journal of Clinical Periodontology, Journal of Dental Research, Journal of the International Academy of Periodontology, Oral Microbiology and Immunology, Journal of Public Health Dentistry, Current Opinions in Periodontology , Magazyn Stomatologiczy Dental Magazine, and he edited Periodontology 2000 Vols. 6 (1994) and 27 (2001).   He served as President of the Periodontal Diseases Research Group of the IADR from 1991-1992.  His other IADR/AADR service includes Membership Committee, 1983-1986, Science Information Committee, 1990-1993, and Scientific Awards Committee, 2001-2006.  Dr. Van Dyke has also served as President of the International Academy of Periodontology (1997-1999).  

Dr. Van Dyke has authored/co-authored 250+ original articles, and numerous abstracts and book chapters.  He is a member of the American/International Association of Dental Research, American Academy of Periodontology, American Association for the Advancement of Science, American Association of Immunologists, American Dental Association, American Society of Microbiology, International Academy of Periodontology, IADR Periodontal Research Group, International Endotoxin and Innate Immunity Society, Northeast Periodontal Society, and Society for Leukocyte Biology.  His research interests are the structural and functional relationship of abnormalities of the inflammatory process with focus on regulation of phagocytic cells, in the etiology and pathogenesis of periodontal diseases.  He is best known for his work on the pathways of resolution of inflammation and pathogenesis of periodontal diseases, neutrophil biology, and clinical research.

Genevieve Holmes joined Forsyth in 2015 and is responsible for leading projects and events that are critical to the health and growth of the institute. 

Genevieve Holmes joined Forsyth in 2015 and is responsible for leading projects and events that are critical to the health and growth of the institute. As Chief Project Officer, she works with the Executive Team to plan, implement, deliver and report on strategic planning. Additionally, she serves as the primary point-of-contact to the Board of Directors.

Holmes has a history of working for non-profits: she co-founded and ran a music non-profit in Munich, Germany for six years and, since moving to Boston in 2015, stepped into the role of Executive Director with Make Music Boston, a free, global music festival. After gaining project management experience in Germany with Dimension Data AG & Co. KG, an IT consulting firm, she continues to pursue her passion for projects and new initiatives at Forsyth.

In her free time, Holmes enjoys rowing on the Charles River with the Women’s Competitive Team at Community Rowing, Inc.

Kerry Maguire’s work links The Forsyth Institute’s past with its future. As the Program Director of ForsythKids, Maguire is on the front line delivering dental care to underserved children. The program is a two-way street, with ForsythKids delivering community-based prevention based on research, and gathering data to improve overall knowledge of children’s oral health.

“ForsythKids helps build a healthier community by improving children’s oral health where they live and learn,” said Maguire. “There are a lot of great dental public health programs out there, but we differ in that ForsythKids is aligned with The Forsyth Institute, a world leader in dental research. Increasing access to oral health care is just the beginning of our goal to eliminate dental disease.”

The program brings preventive dental care to Massachusetts children of all ages at schools, day care centers, neighborhood facilities, summer camps and public events. The ForsythKids team of specialized dentists, dental hygienists and certified dental assistants set up care facilities in the schools, using portable equipment. Children receive dental examinations, tooth cleaning, sealants, fluoride and temporary fillings if needed.  Maguire and her team are expanding services beyond elementary school to reach toddlers and teens. For more than a decade, ForsythKids has helped tens of thousands of children throughout Massachusetts receive critical dental care.

Maguire holds adjunct faculty positions at the University of Washington Center for Pediatric Dentistry and Tufts University School of Dental Medicine.  She is co-founder and chair of the non-profit Options for Children in Zambia (www.optionsforchildren.org).  Options for Children in Zambia partners with rural African communities to develop sustainable oral health initiatives and enhance the quality of life for children and families affected by HIV/AIDS.

Maguire is active in the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the American Association of Public Health Dentistry and the American Dental Association, among other national and international organizations dedicated to oral health and health access.

Paula LaPalme joined Forsyth in 2016 and leads Human Resources for the Institute, as well as provides leadership to a host of key operational areas from information technology to facilities. She is an ardent collaborator and contributor throughout Forsyth, working with others to create solutions and new paths. Paula serves on numerous committees and work teams ensuring Forsyth’s culture, people practices, and programs are continuously innovating and advancing.  

She has built an accomplished career as an HR executive, consultant and business leader. She has worked with both non-profit and for-profit organizations regionally, nationally and globally. Past associations include: The Boston Stock Exchange; Home Owners Savings Bank, F.S.B.; Tufts Health Plan; CGI; Logica; Philips/Color Kinetics; AMS; as well as her own consulting firm. The wealth of experience Paula brings from helping organizations successfully scale and evolve, to guiding them through the labyrinth of change is invaluable to Forsyth.

Paula holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business from Southern New Hampshire University, as well as HR certifications: SPHR, SHRM-SCP, and an HR Management Certification from Bentley University.