F A C U LT Y N E W S
Dimitris Tatakis, DDS, PhD, Receives National “Outstanding Educator” Award Dr. Dimitris Tatakis, a professor in the Division of Periodontology at the College of Dentistry, was honored as the 2019 recipient of the American Academy of Periodontology’s award for Outstanding Periodontal Educator. The national award, presented during the American Academy of Periodontology’s annual meeting, is given to one recipient annually who is “an exemplary periodontal faculty member,” and whose career “demonstrates excellence in teaching and is an inspiration to students.” Dr. Tatakis serves as the Graduate Periodontics Program Director and the Director of Global Initiatives at the College of Dentistry. He is also a Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology. ■
Brian Foster, PhD, Recognized with National Leadership Award Dr. Brian Foster, an Assistant Professor in the Division of Biosciences, was recently chosen as the inaugural recipient of the 2020 International Association for Dental Research (IADR) Centennial Emerging Leaders Award. This honor recognizes his “achievements in dental research and the potential to further contribute to the IADR and the scientific community worldwide.” A faculty member in the college since 2015, Dr. Foster’s research focuses on the molecular biology of tooth root development and mineralization, with a special interest in genes, mechanisms, diseases, and novel regeneration strategies. His work has been consistently funded by grants from the National Institutes for Health - National Institute for Dental and Craniofacial Research, and his research has appeared in such publications as the Journal of Dental Research; the Journal of Proteomics; Bone; and the Journal of Periodontology. ■
25
