Dr. Fábio Leite is a professor of Population Health at the University of Utah School of Dentistry. His research integrates epidemiologic and mechanistic approaches to examine factors influencing oral health outcomes and access to care. He has authored more than 120 peer-reviewed publications and is among the most cited researchers in dentistry. His academic experience spans Australia, Brazil, Denmark, Singapore and the United States, where he has contributed to curriculum design and institutional initiatives focused on strengthening educational quality, clinical preparedness and learning environments in dental education.

Dr. Tamanna Tiwari is chair and associate professor in the Department of Primary Dental Care at the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry. Her research focuses on prevention, oral health behavior change, quality improvement and medical-dental integration. Her work examines patient-related, behavioral and systemic factors influencing oral health outcomes, with an emphasis on improving population oral health. She is a nationally recognized leader in oral health research and a recipient of the ADA Mid-Career Faculty Award for Evidence-Based Dentistry and the IADR Centennial Emerging Leaders Award.

Sophia Alam is the Program Manager for Faculty Engagement and Success at the American Dental Education Association (ADEA). In this role, Sophia supports ADEA initiatives that enhance belonging and uphold an inclusive, equitable culture in academic dentistry.

Sophia holds a Master of Public Health in Community Health from Baylor University and a B.I.S. in Healthcare Management from Virginia Commonwealth University. She is passionate about advancing health equity, strengthening professional pipelines, and creating learning environments where people and organizations can thrive.

Abrielle Lamphere, RDH, MS, is a Clinical Assistant Professor and Program Director of the Indiana University School of Dentistry Fort Wayne Dental Hygiene Program. She earned an Associate of Applied Science in Dental Hygiene (2017) and a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene (2020) from Ferris State University, followed by a Master of Science in Dental Hygiene from the University of Michigan (2022). In addition to her role at Indiana University, she serves as an adjunct instructor in the University of Michigan Master of Science in Dental Hygiene program. Abrielle also served as Chair of the ADEA Interprofessional Education and Collaborative Care Special Interest Group for the 2025–2026 term. 

Mark Mintline, D.D.S. is an Associate Professor at the Western University of Health Sciences (WesternU) College of Dental Medicine in Pomona, California. He is the founding Laboratory Director of WesternU Health Oral Pathology Laboratory and the Co-Coordinator of the Advanced Oral Diagnosis Workgroup. Dr. Mintline is committed to increasing access to oral healthcare services at WesternU and serves as the director of the Biopsies Save Lives, Oral Biopsies Save Lives, and Ryan White Part F programs. His research interests include health equity, interprofessional care, and lesions of the oral cavity.

Dr. Mintline’s is a recipient of the International Pemphigus and Pemphigoid Foundation Doctor of the Year Award and the California Dental Association Dr. Arthur A. Dugoni Award for his contributions to clinical care and dental education.

Dr. Mintline received his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the UCLA School of Dentistry and completed his residency in Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology at the University of Florida College of Dentistry. Dr. Mintline is a Diplomate of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology and a Fellow of the American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology.

Rachel C. Kearney, B.S.D.H., Ph.D., is Associate Dean for Pre‑doctoral Education and Student Life and an Associate Professor in the Division of Dental Hygiene at The Ohio State University College of Dentistry. Since joining the faculty in 2009, Dr. Kearney has held several key academic leadership roles, including Chair of the Division of Dental Hygiene and Director of the Dental Hygiene Graduate Program.

Dr. Kearney’s scholarly contributions encompass educational innovation, learning technologies, social media professionalism, and workforce issues in dental hygiene. She has published extensively in leading journals and has served as a research mentor for numerous undergraduate and graduate students.

At the national level, Dr. Kearney has been an active member of the American Dental Education Association, where she has served in multiple leadership positions within the Council of Allied Dental Program Directors, including Chair. She is a frequent presenter at national and international meetings, speaking on leadership, faculty development, curriculum design, and emerging issues in dental education.

Dr. Kearney earned her BSDH, MS in Allied Medical Education, and PhD in Learning Technologies from The Ohio State University. Her contributions to the profession have been recognized with honors including the ADEA/Colgate‑Palmolive Allied Dental Educators Fellowship and the College of Dentistry Distinguished Alumni Award.

Rebecca Henderson, B.S.D.H., M.S. - Associate Professor - Clinical & Chair, Division of Dental Hygiene at The Ohio State University College of Dentistry.  Prof. Henderson began a full-time faculty appointment in 2016, but joined The College of Dentistry faculty part-time in 2006 as an assistant professor. In addition to her time as an educator, from 2001-2016 she practiced clinical dental hygiene and facilitated the marketing and continuing education programs in a private specialty Periodontics and Dental Implant practice. She previously served as the interim Director of the MS DH graduate program and Division Chair, before appointment as Chair in January 2026.

She serves as the College of Dentistry Interprofessional Education Champion, the college liaison to the Wexner Medical Center Office of Interprofessional Practice and Education. Her research focus is interprofessional education and practice, including faculty development, peer review of teaching and faculty on-boarding, AI and the use of other technology in allied dental education.

Prof. Henderson earned her BSDH and MS in Allied Medical Education from The Ohio State University. Her professional contributions have been recognized with honors including the ADEA/Colgate‑Palmolive Allied Dental Educators Fellowship, College of Dentistry Student Government and Postle Teaching Awards, and recipient of the Dental Alumni Society’s Dental Hygiene Alumni Award, where she is also past-president.

Dr. Salma Elwazeer, BDS, MDS, MPH, FRSPH, FICD, FACD, is an Assistant Professor and Director of Public Health Education and Interprofessional Education (IPE) at Hunt School of Dental Medicine, Texas Tech Health El Paso, with a secondary Faculty appointment at Foster School of Medicine. She earned her dental degree from Ain-Shams University in Cairo, Egypt, completed a pediatric dentistry residency and master’s degree, earned her MPH at Purdue University, and completed a Dental Public Health residency at UT Health San Antonio. At Texas Tech, Dr. Elwazeer directs the Community Health Certificate Curriculum, a required four-year program that integrates public health, IPE, and Spanish-language into dental education. Her scholarly record includes over 50 peer-reviewed publications, presentations, seminars, and workshops. Her efforts have been recognized at the institutional, state, and national levels with various awards, including the Chancellor’s Council Distinguished Teaching Award, the highest faculty honor in the Texas Tech University System, and the ADA Foundation Whiston Leadership Award. Dr. Elwazeer is a fellow of the 2026-2027 ADEA Leadership Institute, and she holds leadership roles at ADEA, AAPHD, and APHA. She is a Diplomate of the American Board of Dental Public Health and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Public Health, the International College of Dentists, and the American College of Dentists.

Dr. Precious Ettah is the Director of Faculty Engagement and Research Analytics at ADEA, where she works within the Office of Access, Success and Impact. In this role, she leads initiatives that support faculty engagement, professional development, and data-informed strategies that strengthen the academic oral health community. Her work includes designing workshops, training programs and collaborative initiatives that strengthen institutional capacity, support workforce development and promote supportive learning environments in oral health education.

Dr. Ettah brings a background in clinical dentistry, dental public health and program management. She has experience practicing as a general dentist and working in public and community health settings, with a focus on improving access to oral health care and addressing population-level health disparities. Her interests include the use of data analytics, public health frameworks and cross-sector collaboration to inform academic programming, research and strategic initiatives in dental education.

Dr. Ettah earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from Howard University College of Dentistry. She completed a General Practice Residency at Saint Elizabeths Hospital in Washington, DC, and later completed a Dental Public Health Residency at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine, where she also earned a Master of Medical Science in Dental Education and a Certificate in Dental Public Health.

Dr. Quadri is a PhD-qualified, internationally trained dentist and public health scholar with over 17 years of global experience spanning education, research and community engagement. He serves as Assistant Professor and Director of Research at the Woody L. Hunt School of Dental Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso, where he advances evidence-based dental public health education and fosters a strong culture of scholarship.

He directs three core courses—Fundamentals in Biostatistics, the Dental Scholarly Activities and Research Program (DSARP) and Grand Rounds—forming a progressive curriculum that develops students’ competencies in evidence appraisal, research design and clinical application of scientific evidence. He developed DSARP to engage all dental students in structured, team-based research with individualized learning objectives.

As Chair of the Interprofessional Education Evaluation Council, he leads institutional assessment of interprofessional learning and collaborates with senior leadership to align initiatives with accreditation and quality improvement standards. As Director of Research, he mentors students and faculty in study design, data analysis and IRB processes while overseeing research productivity and scholarly recognition.

Dr. Quadri has authored over 50 peer-reviewed publications including in The Lancet Oncology and has received multiple honors including recognition from IADR and Elsevier for research aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. His work emphasizes translational science, health equity and improving oral health outcomes in the Hispanic Borderplex region of El Paso.

Dr. Julie Reynolds is Associate Professor at the University of Iowa College of Dentistry, board-certified specialist in Dental Public Health and current President of the American Association of Public Health Dentistry. In her academic role she teaches and mentors predoctoral dental students and Dental Public Health residents in coursework and in research. Her research focuses on aspects of dental care access and quality including access and utilization for people with Medicaid as well as dental quality measurement and improvement in the context of a patient-centered dental home.

Dr. Hiroe Ohyama is an Associate Professor and Predoctoral Director of Operative Dentistry at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine (HSDM). She earned her DDS from Tohoku University, her MMSc and DMD from Harvard School of Dental Medicine, and her PhD in Oral Biology from the University of Tokyo.

Dr. Ohyama joined the faculty in Restorative Dentistry and Biomaterials Sciences at HSDM where she developed a strong passion for teaching alongside her research activities. Dr. Ohyama’s work focuses on student-centered learning and evidence-based operative dentistry. She has authored more than 60 peer-reviewed publications and has received numerous awards recognizing excellence in teaching, research, and patient care, including the ADEA/Colgate-Palmolive Excellence in Teaching Award, the HSDM Distinguished Faculty Award, the Excellence in Cosmetic Dentistry Award, , and the Omicron Kappa Upsilon Stephen H. Leeper Teaching Award. Dr. Ohyama also serves as an Associate Editor of the Journal of Dental Education and is a graduate of the American Dental Education Association Leadership Institute.

Dr. Tatiyana Trowbridge, D.D.S., M.Ed., is an Associate Professor and Director of Preclinical Faculty at the Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine-Arizona. She earned her DDS from the University of Washington School of Dentistry and a Master of Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University. Dr. Trowbridge provides academic leadership for preclinical faculty and curriculum, overseeing simulation-based education and the development of foundational clinical competencies for dental students. She teaches extensively in the simulation clinic and didactic curriculum and serves as course director for Dental Anesthesia, where she developed integrated didactic, simulation and clinical training experiences. Dr. Trowbridge has led multiple curricular innovations, including OSCE and competency assessment improvements, implant and anesthesia training initiatives, and expanded function dental auxiliary education programs. She is an active contributor to dental education scholarship with peer-reviewed publications in the Journal of Dental Education and regularly presents continuing education programs. Her leadership and commitment to teaching excellence have been recognized with multiple institutional awards and fellowship in the American College of Dentists.

Dr. Panagakos received his DMD from UMDNJ-New Jersey Dental School (now Rutgers University School of Dental Medicine) and his Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from UMDNJ-Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (now the Rutgers University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences) in 1992. He received his Master’s in Education from Seton Hall University in 1999 and his Master’s in Business Administration from Lehigh University in 2007.

Dr. Panagakos was a full-time faculty member at New Jersey Dental School for 13 years, holding several administrative positions, including Group Practice Administrator, Director of Environmental Safety, and Associate Dean of Academic Affairs. He also maintained a private dental practice in Westfield and Newark, NJ during this time.

In June 2005, He joined the Colgate Palmolive Oral Care Clinical Research Department as an Associate Director. He worked at Colgate until September 2017 as the Global Director of Scientific Affairs.

In August 2018, Dr. Panagakos joined the West Virginia University School of Dentistry as the Associate Dean for Research, where he led the institution’s research efforts. He served as interim dean from July 2020 until May 2021.

Since May 2022, Dr. Panagakos has been the Founding Dean of the School of Dental Medicine at Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences in Yakima, WA.

Dr. Margrit Maggio is the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs at the Workman School of Dental Medicine. She is a Clinical Professor and also serves as the Director of Simulation Learning. She joined High Point University in 2024 before their first cohort of students began. Prior to that, Dr. Maggio had been a dental educator at the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine for 28 years where she served as Director of Preclinical Education, Director of Operative Dentistry, a Clinical Primary Care Unit Leader, and a Faculty Practice clinician. Dr. Maggio has over 20 years of experience in the use of advanced simulation technology as well as haptics technology in dental education for psychomotor skill training. 

Dr. Frank W. Licari has been dean and professor of the Roseman University College of Dental Medicine since 2013. He has over 30 years of experience as an educator, administrator and clinician. From 2019-2021, he simultaneously served as the interim chancellor of the Roseman University Utah campus. He previously served as associate dean for academic affairs and professor at Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine in Downers Grove, Illinois, and has also held several leadership positions at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) College of Dentistry, Marquette University School of Dentistry and the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). He is an internationally known speaker, author and consultant. Dr. Licari has worked with over 80 dental schools on curriculum development, student competency assessment, accreditation, and faculty development in the United States, Canada, Chile, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. He formerly served as the chair of the Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations and as chair of the Commission on Dental Accreditation. Dr. Licari holds three advanced degrees from the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), including Doctor of Dental Surgery, Master of Public Health, and Master of Business Administration. He has been recognized with the International Association of Top Professionals as Top Academic Leader of the Decade, Utah Business Health Care Hero Award for Innovation, UIC Distinguished Dental Alumnus Award, Pierre Fauchard Certificate of Merit, memberships in Delta Omega, Omicron Kappa Upsilon and Sigma Xi honor societies, and fellowships with the Pierre Fauchard Academy, American College of Dentists and the International College of Dentists. 

Ms. Riley is a 1998 graduate of Sinclair College in Dayton, Ohio. She completed her baccalaureate with Wright State University and master of science with Boston University. Amber is a forensic dental consultant for the San Diego County Office of the Medical Examiner, to the California Office of Emergency Services and the California Dental Identification Team. She is a federal safety and occupational health specialist and member of the forensic dental unit of the U.S. government disaster mortuary operational response team (DMORT).

Ms. Riley is a professional risk and liability consultant specializing in the dental sciences to national medical and dental liability insurance brokerages. She is a certified life care planner and certified medical cost projection specialist. Amber is a team partner and educator to multidisciplinary healthcare providers for awareness, recognition, documentation and reporting standards for patient harm, abuse and human trafficking in the United States.

Ms. Riley is past-president of the American Society of Forensic Odontology, fellow of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, member of the International Association of Coroners & Medical Examiners, member of the California Dental Hygienists’ Association and an associate member of the American Academy for Oral Systemic Health. She is an internationally recognized speaker providing continuing education programs for dental and medical professionals.

Dr. Manish Bhagania is an oral and maxillofacial surgeon and educator whose work bridges clinical care, public health, and academic leadership. He currently serves as Chair of the Section on Addiction Education of the American Dental Education Association (ADEA) and is Clinical Associate Professor in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine.

His teaching and scholarship emphasize preparing future dental professionals to manage substance use and its implications in dental practice, particularly through simulation-based medical emergency training and curriculum innovation. Dr. Bhagania has published on topics related to access to care, perioperative management, and addiction education, and he has contributed to national and international dialogues on advancing dental education.

He has presented at recent ADEA Annual Meetings, including short talks in 2024 and 2025, and has an accepted proposal for the 2026 ADEA Annual Session in Montreal. His public presentations have included Management of Pain in Dentistry and Medical Emergencies in Dental Settings.

Dr. Bhagania is leading this three-part ADEA webinar series and is currently working with JADA on supplementary article series exploring cannabis use and dentistry — with the goal of equipping dental educators and clinicians with evidence-based strategies for patient care, ethical decision-making, and educational policy development.

He is deeply committed to service, interdisciplinary collaboration, and supporting the profession in addressing the intersection of oral health, addiction, and public health.

Jennifer Cullen, RDH, M.P.H. is a Clinical Assistant Professor and Director of the Dental Hygiene Division in the Department of Periodontics and Oral Medicine at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry. She lectures in and directs several didactic and clinical courses in the undergraduate, degree completion, and graduate DH programs. Ms. Cullen has presented or published on a range of topics including dental hygiene care in alternative settings, care for special patients, cannabis and oral health, oral-behavioral health integration, strengths-based teaching, and leadership. She is current president of the U-M Nu Chapter of the Sigma Phi-Alpha Dental Hygiene Honor Society. Ms. Cullen serves as the Chair of the ADEA ADPDC Planning Committee and is a Fellow in the Class of 2026 ADEA Leadership Institute.

Dr. Brendan Young, Ph.D., M.B.A., is the Director of Behavioral Science and Associate Professor of Preventive and Community Dentistry at the University of Iowa College of Dentistry. He holds degrees from Duke University, Tulane University, The University of West Florida, and a Ph.D. in Communication from the University of Iowa. He completed a postdoctoral research fellowship with the Veterans Health Administration’s Office of Rural Health.

Dr. Young is co-author of Communication Skills for Dental Health Care Providers, published by Quintessence. At the University of Iowa he serves as course director for all predoctoral courses in interprofessional communication and patient-provider communication.

Dr. Young has researched substance use disorders for more than 20 years, publishing his work in Addiction Research & Theory, Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly, Addictive Disorders & Their Treatment, and Substance Use & Misuse. Dr. Young serves on the editorial board of the Journal of Dental Education and is currently the secretary of ADEA’s Section on Behavioral Sciences. 

Lauren Erickson is the NICHE-Dental Director at the American Academy of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry (AADMD). Lauren brings more than 13 years of industry experience in the healthcare and disability fields, working with payers such as Anthem, Inc., and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and serving as a consultant at Berkeley Research Group. Her experience in the disability field includes previously serving at the Director of Policy and Programs at Institute for Exceptional Care (IEC), for Senator Tom Harkin in the United States Senate and with the Iowa Department of Human Services, Division of Mental Health and Disability Services. Lauren received her MPH from the University of Iowa and her BA from the University of Northern Iowa. She has the lived experience of supporting a sibling with IDD.

Dr. David Fray, a graduate of The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, (DDS 1979) and Oklahoma City University (MBA 1997) serves as Professor in the Department of General Practice and Dental Public Health at the University of Texas School of Dentistry at Houston. He completed a geriatric long-term care administrator preceptorship at the Arkansas Health Center in 1998 and a certificate in Advanced Training in Developmental Dentistry at the Underwood and Lee Specialty Clinic in Louisville, KY affiliated with the University of Louisville School of Dentistry (2012). As a full-time professor at the University of Texas School of Dentistry at Houston (UTSD), his current educational initiatives and research are focused on interprofessional curriculum for health professionals to serve persons with disabilities in a person-centered approach. He leads the Interdisciplinary Education rotations in geriatric and intellectual disability electives with UTSD at the Baylor College of Medicine, Adult Transition Medicine Clinic and in the UTSD Fondren Special Patient Clinic.

He is a past President of the American Academy of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry (AADMD) and past President of the Academy of Dentistry for Persons with Disabilities, affiliated with the Board of the Special Care Dentistry Association (SCDA). Dr. Fray was an owner in private dental practice with an emphasis on adult special needs for 15 years, served as Dental Director in a Federally Qualified Health Center in Rochester NY, and has served an additional 18 years as a public health administrator for State Geriatric and Developmental Disability programs in Arkansas and Hawai’i. His public service consists of: Director of the Arkansas Health Center, Assistant Director of Mental Health Services, Director of theDevelopmental Disabilities Division of the Arkansas Department of Human Services supervising the Arkansas Children’s Medical Services, Arkansas First Steps Early Intervention Program. In the Hawai'i Department of Health for 14 years he led as Chief of the Division of Developmental Disabilities supervising the Hawaii Neurotrauma Services, Medical and Dental Clinical Services, Hospital and Community Dentistry, Home and Community Services and served on State Committees and Boards. He holds board certification from the National Association of Boards in Long-Term Care Administration, holds a master’s level Certified Healthcare Emergency Planner (CHEP certification) and is a licensed nursing home administrator for twenty-six years. He is core faculty of the Leadership Education in Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LoneStar LEND) program at the UT McGovern School of Medicine and holds a faculty appointment of Clinical Professor at the University of Houston Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine in the Department of Clinical Sciences. He serves as a board member of the Alliance for Oral Health Across Borders.

Dr. Allen Wong has taught postdoctoral general dentistry for over 35 years in AEGD programs (Pacific and University California San Francisco) and was the director of Pacific's Hospital Dentistry Program.  He has lectured nationally and internationally in the areas of special care dentistry, rotary endodontics, implant restorations, and minimally invasive dentistry.  He was active with Special Olympics Special Smiles program (ret. Global Clinical Advisor), Immediate Past President American Academy of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry (AADMD) and Past President Special Care Dentistry Association (SCDA). Past President CAMBRA Coalition (Caries Management By Risk Assessment), Omicron Kappa Upsilon Honor Fraternity (Delta Delta Chapter) Past president. California Dental Association Foundation Board of Director, Secretary.  San Francisco Dental Society Dental Health Committee Chairman. Santa Fe Group, Fellow for IDD. 

Retired from 38 years of teaching with the University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry as a Professor in the Department of Diagnostic Sciences.  He directed a postdoctoral residency program (Advanced Education in General Dentistry) where he taught dentists to incorporate minimally invasive, science-based dentistry strategies to patients with healthcare needs as well as those needing treatment in hospital settings.

Recently inducted as a Professor emeritus from the University of the Pacific and honored with Pacific’s Order of the Pacific and the Medallion of Distinction. Recently recruited to be the Dental Department Head for Kramer Davis Health (a transdisciplinary medical/dental center exclusively for adults with IDD) in Nashville, Tennessee and now the IDD Dental Director for Renaissance Dental Insurance, TN

Dr. Katherine Velasco is a Colombian-born dental professional with over 25 years of experience in clinical practice, education, and leadership. She earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree

in 1998 and spent a decade in private practice, including three years serving underprivileged communities.

Her passion for dentistry led her to join Roseman University School of Dental Medicine, where she instructed more than 900 students and was recognized as Outstanding Faculty and HDA Faculty of the Year.

Currently, Dr. Velasco works as an Assistant Professor and Clinical Team Leader in the International Dental Graduated Program at Nova Southeastern University. In addition to her mentoring and clinical responsibilities, she serves in the Student Progress Committee and continues to practice dentistry one day a week.

Dr. Velasco is a distinguished fellow of the International College of Dentists (ICD), American College of Dentists (ACD), and Pierre Fauchard Academy (PFA). She remains as an active leader in organized dentistry through her involvement with the Hispanic Dental Association, American Dental Association, and American Dental Education Association, where she has held leadership roles at institutional, state, and national levels.

Her professional achievements have also been recognized in the bibliographical compendium of Who’s Who in America for her contributions to dental education and the advancement of the profession.

Beyond her professional life, Dr. Velasco finds her greatest fulfillment in seeing others grow and succeed with her guidance. She values balance in work and family life and enjoys spending time at the beach, hiking, painting, engaging in creative projects, and exploring new places.

Dr. Hanan Omar is a Professor and the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs and Research at A.T. Still University’s Missouri School of Dentistry & Oral Health (ATSU-MOSDOH). She also serves as the Assistant Dean for Research and Course Director for Professionalism, Ethical Practice, and Behavioral Sciences.

With over two decades of experience in dental education and leadership, Dr. Omar has held multiple senior academic roles, including Associate Dean, Faculty of Dentistry at the International Medical University (IMU) in Malaysia. Her expertise spans curriculum design, educational innovation, evidence-based dentistry (EBD), and technology-enhanced learning, with a strong focus on integrating AI, VR, and digital tools into preclinical and clinical education.

Dr. Omar has authored and co-authored over 30 peer-reviewed publications, several book chapters, and numerous conference presentations through ADEA, AADOCR/IADR, SEAADE, and AMEE. Her research explores AI-supported learning, virtual simulation, and case-based education models. An active leader in professional organizations, Dr. Omar serves as Councilor for the Evidence-Based Dentistry Section of the American Dental Education Association (ADEA) and as a reviewer for the Journal of Dental Education. Dr. Omar’s work exemplifies a commitment to advancing whole-person, technology-driven, and evidence-based dental education that prepares future clinicians for excellence in patient-centered care.

Lina Sharab, DDS,MS,MSc. Associate Professor and the Director of the Craniofacial-Biology-Externship Program at the University of Kentucky. Earned D.D.S. from Syria. completed a Master of Biomaterial Science and fellowship in Orthodontics/SUNY at Buffalo. Earned a Master of Science, and certificate in orthodontics from the University of Kentucky. Dr. Sharab is a recipient of multiple awards from major organizations including :AAO,AAOF,SAO,

AAL, ADEA, and UK. Practicing board-certified orthodontist, dental educator and clinical researcher. She is currently a fellow of the leadership institute.  Her research was published in prestigious journals, including the Journal of Dental-Education, the American-Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial-Orthopedics, Orthodontic Craniofacial Research, and Journal of Oral Implantology. is an invited speaker at national and international conferences.

Dr. Harrison, a native of Belleville, IL, is a general dentist and Assistant Professor at Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry, where she currently serves as Interim Chair of the Department of Endodontics.

She earned her B.S. in Chemistry from Tennessee State University in 2011 and began dental school at Meharry Medical College in 2012, graduating in 2016. During dental school, Dr. Harrison was active in leadership and service roles and received several honors and scholarships, including Who’s Who Among Students, the Dental Public Health Award, and multiple endowed scholarships.

Following graduation, Dr. Harrison completed a two-year General Practice Residency at BronxCare Hospital in New York, serving as Chief Resident in her second year. It was during this time that she developed a strong interest in endodontics, which became her area of focus.

She actively participates in professional development and continuing education through organizations such as the American Dental Education Association (ADEA), American Association of Endodontists, and the Chicago Dental Society. In recognition of her leadership, she was named a 2023 Dean’s Scholar and selected as a 2025 Fellow of the ADEA Leadership Institute. She is also pursuing a Master of Public Health with a dental emphasis at A.T. Still University.

Dr. Harrison has further honed her academic leadership skills through programs such as the ADEA’s Institute for Teaching and Learning and the Chairs and Academic Administrators Management Program.

Passionate about community service, Dr. Harrison participates in events like Spring and Fall Oral Health Days and Give Kids a Smile. She has also created outreach programs including “Dental Day at Daycare” and “Healthy Me, Healthy Smiles.” Mentorship is a key focus, and she remains closely involved in the growth of her mentees throughout and beyond dental school.

Outside of dentistry, Dr. Harrison enjoys spending time with her son, Peyton, event planning, fishing, attending sports and music events, and online shopping.

Dr. Ana Cristina Andrada is an Associate Professor and Director of Predoctoral Endodontics at Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry. She earned her dental degree and Endodontics certificate from the Federal University of Santa Catarina in Brazil, followed by advanced training at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine, where she received a certificate in Endodontics and a Doctor of Medical Sciences in Oral Biology. She later earned her U.S. DDS from the University of Detroit Mercy.

A Diplomate of the American Board of Endodontics since 2019, Dr. Andrada has published in peer-reviewed journals, contributing meaningful research to the fields of endodontics and dental education. Her dedication to scholarship and teaching was recognized by the American Association of Endodontists through the prestigious Educator Fellowship Award, which highlights the vital role of educators in shaping the future of the specialty. She is actively involved in the AAE, ADEA—serving on the Council of Faculties since 2022—and the Hispanic Dental Association, reflecting her strong commitment to advancing dental education and the endodontic profession.

Dr. Beatriz Bezerra is a Clinical Associate Professor and Predoctoral Director in the Section of Periodontics at the UCLA School of Dentistry (SOD). She also co-directs the Preceptorship Program in Periodontics at UCLA SOD. Dr. Bezerra received her DDS and PhD from Brazil. She earned her certificate in Periodontics and Implant Dentistry from the Eastman Institute for Oral Health at the University of Rochester and is a Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology. Dr. Bezerra was the recipient of the 2023 Bud and Linda Tarrson Fellowship and was also recognized by her peers and nominated for the American College of Dentists. Dr. Bezerra currently serves as the chair for both the ADEA Section of Periodontics and the AAP Education Committee.  Her current responsibilities include curriculum development for the section of Periodontics, evaluation of students’ clinical progress in Periodontics, as well as clinical teaching at the predoctoral and post-doctoral levels. She also serves as the faculty advisor for the Periodontics Study Club.

Dr. Esther Ovuworie Kuyinu is an Associate Professor in the Department of Restorative Dentistry and Prosthodontics, and Director of Predoctoral Prosthodontics Clinic at The University of Texas Health Sciences Center at Houston, School of Dentistry, Houston, TX (UTSD). She is an educator and leader with over two decades of experience in academic dentistry and clinical practice. She leads numerous outreach and mentoring initiatives, locally and globally. Dr. Kuyinu earned her B.D.S from the University of Lagos, Nigeria, followed by postgraduate training in London, England and a Master of Science in Prosthodontics from Georgetown University, Washington, DC. She later completed her D.D.S. at New York University College of Dentistry, where she held multiple faculty roles and maintained a private practice in New Jersey.  Her professional service includes leadership roles in the American College of Prosthodontics, the American Dental Education Association, and the Association of Nigerian Physicians in the Americas. She has received numerous honors, including Lifetime Achievement Awards, the UTSD Dean’s Excellence Awards for Teaching, and also Clinical Service. In recognition for her global outreach efforts, she was recently inducted as a fellow in the International College of Dentists.

Dr. Sivaraman Prakasam is Philip A. Lainson endowed Associate Professor in Periodontics and Chair of the department of Periodontics at the college of Dentistry at the University of Iowa. Dr. Prakasam holds a Bachelor of Dental Surgery degree from The T.N. Dr. M.G.R Medical University, India; a PhD in Oral Biology and Pathology from the State University of New York, Stony Brook; a Master of Science in Dentistry degree and a certificate in Periodontology from the Indiana University. Dr. Prakasam is a Diplomate of American Board of Periodontology and has been in full-time academics for 15 years, serving on the faculty at Indiana University and Oregon Health & Science University. He is a past recipient of the Balint Orban Award from the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) and finalist at the IADR Hatton competition. Other honors include AAP foundation teaching fellowship and AAP Outstanding Teaching and Mentoring Award. His educational portfolio includes all levels of dental education and has directed several courses. He has mentored 20 students in research projects including twelve master’s theses. He is a clinical-translational researcher and has been funded by the National Institutes of Health and several private industries and foundations. He has published over 40 journal articles and conference abstracts.