Foster’s research in the dental-oral-craniofacial field focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms driving tooth root formation and bringing that insight to novel approaches for regenerating tissues and restoring function. Specific areas of inquiry have included phosphate/pyrophosphate metabolism and dentoalveolar development and regeneration, developmental regulators of cementum, functions of extracellular matrix proteins in dental development and mineralization, and manifestations of skeletal and endocrine diseases in the craniofacial and dental tissues. He holds a BS in biology and MS in microbiology from Central Michigan University. He earned a PhD in oral biology at the University of Washington.