Dr. Theodora Danciu, an oral and maxillofacial pathologist and Clinical Professor at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry, has over 20 years of experience in academic dentistry. She completed her undergraduate studies in mathematics at UC Berkeley and obtained her DMD, DMSc, and specialty training at Harvard, followed by post-doctoral work at Children’s Hospital Boston and Harvard Medical School. Currently, she leads curriculum innovation and founded DETRA to advance dental education through evidence-based research and AI. Nationally, Theodora holds key leadership roles within the American Dental Education Association (ADEA), including chairing the committee on core competencies, helping design and pilot Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs), and serving as Chair of the ADEA Council of Faculties. Her work is guided by a commitment to clinical excellence, impactful research and scholarship, outstanding teaching, and meaningful national leadership.

Phil is a Professor of Periodontology at the OHSU School of Dentistry since 2020. He served as Faculty of Periodontics at The Ohio State University (1990-2003), Chair of Periodontics and Associate Dean for Research at the University of Illinois at Chicago (2003-2013), and Dean at OHSU School of Dentistry (2013-2020). In addition to his involvement in dental education for 35 years, he has also been an active basic/clinical researcher. Most recently, he has served as the co-chair of the ADEA Compendium EPA Workgroup.

Rocio Quinonez is a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentist and Fellow of the Royal College of Dentists of Canada. She holds joint appointments in the Division of Pediatric Dentistry/Public Health and the Department of Pediatrics at the UNC School of Medicine. She served as Predoctoral Program Director in Pediatric Dentistry from 2007-2017. In 2018, she became the Associate Dean for Educational Leadership and Innovation at UNC and was charged to lead a new dental curriculum for the Adams School of Dentistry. Her current role transitioned to Associate Dean for Curriculum to better reflect the new program’s implementation. She has authored over 100 peer reviewed manuscripts and book chapters and is the recipient of the American Academy of Pediatrics National Oral Health Service Award, the Charles Craig National Teaching Award, and the UNC Dental Alumni Outstanding Lifetime Service Award. She practices at the Adams School of Dentistry and is an active member of UNC Health medical staff.