The Voice for Dental Education

Dr. Graham is a graduate of the Columbia University College of Dental Medicine and completed a general practice residency at Long Island Jewish Medical Center. She received her MA and PhD degrees from the Department of Mathematics, Science, and Technology at Columbia University’s Graduate School of Education, Teachers College.

She is director of the Division of Operative Dentistry and chair of the Section of Cariology and Restorative Sciences. She holds appointments as the James Winston Benfield Professor of Dental Medicine at CUMC and as an instructor at Columbia University’s Graduate School of Education. She is co-director of the DDS/MA in Science and Dental Education dual-degree program. Graduates of this unique program have gone on to post-doctoral and faculty positions throughout the country.

As part of the American Dental Education Association (ADEA), she has served as a mentor for the Academic Careers Fellowship program and is a past chair of the Section on Educational Research, Development and Curriculum. She has been the recipient of an ADEA Gies Research Grant, the Columbia University President’s Diversity Research Grant, and was named the Alpha Omega Foundation/Leonard Abrams Scholar in the ADEA Leadership Institute. From 2017-2019, she was a Columbia University Provost Leadership Fellow. She lectures regionally and nationally on topics related to teaching and learning in dental and health sciences education and her research interests include evaluation of assessment methods in dental education.

Dr. Eli Eliav joined the University of Rochester Medical Center in 2013, when he was appointed Director of Eastman Institute for Oral Health and Vice Dean for Oral Health within the School of Medicine and Dentistry.

Previously, Dr. Eliav served as Director of the Centerou for Temporomandibular Disorders and Orofacial Pain and as Chair, Dept. of Diagnostic Sciences at UMDNJ – New Jersey Dental School. He was also the University’s Carmel Endowed Chair in Algesiology since 2004.

Dr. Eliav’s current research projects involve orofacial pain, quantitative sensory testing, neuropathic pain, pain modulation and the role of inflammation in neuropathic pain.

DDS Ohio State (1974); DMedSc degree, Harvard (1979); residency in oral and maxillofacial surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, chief resident (1979-80). Teaching posts in oral and maxillofacial surgery at University of Connecticut (1980-83), and Harvard (1983-89). Appointed chair of oral and maxillofacial surgery at UCLA (1989-95), served concurrently as Chief of the Dental Service for UCLA Medical Center, and Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs (1993-95). Dean, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) School of Dentistry (1995-2007); Herman Robert Fox Dean, New York University College of Dentistry (2007-present).

President of the American Association for Dental Research (AADR)(2002-03). President of the American Dental Education Association (ADEA)(2008-09). Recipient of the Distinguished Service Award of the American Dental Association (2010); honorary fellow, Royal College of Surgeons in

Ireland; Knight (KM) of the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of St. John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and of Malta (2012). Member, Board of Trustees, New York Academy of Medicine (2015-present). Two-term member of the Overseers Visiting Committee for the Faculty of Medicine and Dental Medicine, Harvard. Distinguished Alumnus, The Ohio State University College of Dentistry (1996); Distinguished Alumnus, Harvard School of Dental Medicine (2000). Percy T. Phillips Visiting Professor, Columbia University (2002); Vincent A. Barr Visiting Professor, University of Kentucky (2003); recipient of Paul Goldhaber Award of the Harvard School of Dental Medicine (2003). Mirmelstein lecturer in ethics, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Dentistry (2007, 2008, 2009). Co-chair (with Joseph Martin) NIDCR Blue Ribbon Panel on Research Training and Career Development (2000); co-chair (with Peter Johnson) NIH Workshop on Biomimetics, Tissue Engineering, and Biomaterials (1998). Chair, American Association of Dental Schools (AADS) Committee on Future Faculty (1998-99). Member of several editorial boards, including the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. Diplomate of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, Fellow of the American College of Dentists (FACD), and Fellow of the International College of Dentists (FICD).

Research and scholarly interests: orofacial tissue repair; biochemistry of hyaluronic acid; use of sodium hyaluronate in treatment of temporomandibular disorders; professional ethics. Principal Investigator for multiple RO1-NIH research grants and Principal Investigator/Project Director of the NIH-funded UCLA/King-Drew Regional Research Center for Minority Oral Health.

Dr. Ronnie Myers graduated from Columbia University College of Dental Medicine, trained as a Pediatric Dentist and completed a fellowship at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. He was in private practice while also holding an appointment at the Bronx Developmental Center prior to coming to the Columbia School of Dental and Oral Surgery full time in 1982 as the Director of the General Practice Residency Program at New York-Presbyterian Hospital. As program director, he initiated a screening program for pre-cardiac transplant patients and helped forge an affiliation with Memorial Sloan Kettering to develop a two-year oncology program for dental residents.

In 1991, Dr. Myers was appointed as the Assistant Dean for Clinical Affairs at Columbia University College of Dental Medicine. He was promoted to Associate Dean in 2001, Vice Dean for Administrative Affairs in 2011 and served at the College as Interim Dean from July 2012-August 2013. In June of 2016 Dr. Myers assumed the position of Senior Associate Dean for Academic and Administrative Affairs at the new Touro College of Dental Medicine (TCDM), which is the first dental school to open in the state of New York in almost 50 years, accepting its inaugural class in July of 2016. In July 2017 he was appointed Dean.

Dr. Myers has been a consultant to the Commission on Dental Accreditation, former member and Chair of the New York State Board of Dentistry and is a past Chair of the American Dental Education Association Section on Clinic Administration. He is a reviewer for the Journal of the American Dental Association, the Journal of Dental Education and the American Journal of Infection Control.

In addition to his administrative duties, Dr. Myers lectures on infection prevention issues in Dentistry and the relationship between systemic disease and oral health.

Dr. Marcelo Araujo is a distinguished academic leader, esteemed Professor of Periodontology, alumnus and Dean of the University at Buffalo’s School of Dental Medicine.  As the 14th Dean of the institution, he brings over 25 years of expertise in various facets of the healthcare industry, making him a prominent figure in the field.

With a solid foundation in health sciences and extensive experience in clinical research and product development, Dean Araujo has made substantial scientific contributions to multiple therapeutic areas, including Oral Care, Cardiology, Respiratory Diseases, Nutrition, and Wound Care.  His profound understanding of these domains stems from his exceptional skills in clinical practice, academia, research, regulatory affairs, medical affairs, innovation, and team management.  Notably, he has honed his business acumen and people management skills during his tenures at Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson, where he played pivotal roles and made a significant impact in the pharmaceutical industry for a combined 12 years.

Prior to joining the University at Buffalo, Dean Araujo held prestigious positions as the Chief Science Officer for the American Dental Association and CEO of the ADA Science and Research Institute.  These influential roles allowed him to cultivate strategic insights and develop expertise in the realm of organized dentistry.  Throughout his career, he has demonstrated exceptional skills in fostering collaborative relationships with inter-professional stakeholders and external partners, earning him a remarkable track record in this regard.  His contributions extend beyond his leadership roles to the publication of numerous peer-reviewed articles, abstracts, and presentations, showcasing his commitment to sharing knowledge and advancing the field.

Drawing upon his extensive knowledge and rich experiences, Dean Araujo is dedicated to leading the School of Dental Medicine and the University at Buffalo toward continuous growth and excellence.  His unwavering dedication to clinical translational research and the development of evidence-based policies has been a defining characteristic of his career.  

With a strong emphasis on leveraging the power of science and innovation, he is applying his expertise to enhance the academic and research endeavors of the School of Dental Medicine, ensuring a bright and prosperous future for the institution and its students.  Dr. Araujo stands as an influential figure in the dental field, committed to shaping the landscape of dental education, research, and clinical practice through his leadership and unwavering commitment to excellence.

Lloyd was previously dean of the College of Dentistry at Ohio State University since 2011. Some of his accomplishments include increasing college funding support for student research, forming a college-wide workgroup to identify priorities and develop strategies to improve the school’s environment, and initiating the CARE (Commitment to Access Resources and Education) program aimed at recruiting and supporting dental students from underserved communities in Ohio. He also oversaw the planning, design and fundraising for a $95 million expansion and renovation of the college’s clinical and administrative facilities.

Lloyd is an international lecturer on a variety of issues related to geriatric dentistry and has published widely on treatment strategies for the aged dental patient. His diverse clinical experience includes private practice in prosthodontics with an emphasis on care of the older adult and educating and training students in the area of special patient care.

Lloyd is a graduate of Marquette University School of Dentistry and earned his specialty certificate in prosthodontics from the V.A. Medical Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, as well as a master of science from the Graduate School of Marquette University. After completing his specialty training, Lloyd served as chief of dental geriatrics and directed a fellowship in geriatric dentistry at the Milwaukee V.A. Medical Center.

In 1985, he was appointed to serve as national coordinator for geriatric dental programs for the Department of Veterans Affairs. In 1992, he joined the faculty at Marquette University, where he was head of the Special Patient Care Clinic. He held that position for four years before being named executive officer of the Department of Family Dentistry at the University of Iowa College of Dentistry in 1996. In 2004, Lloyd was named dean at the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry before heading to Ohio State.

Jonathan Teyan joined AMSNY in 2011 and currently serves as President and Chief Executive Officer. As Chief Operating Officer, he spearheaded the expansion of AMSNY’s biomedical research portfolio, including the development of the New York Fund for Innovation in Research and Scientific Talent (NYFIRST), which supports the recruitment and retention of global leaders in research to New York. Jonathan also led the launch of the New York State Coalition for Biomedical Research and AMSNY’s Biosciences Advisory Council, the latter of which has focused on expanding opportunities for researchers. As President of AMSNY’s sister organization, the New York State Academic Dental Centers, he led the development of the NYSADC Fellowship to Address Oral Health Disparities, which provides advanced training in special care dentistry. Jonathan has an MPA in public policy and management from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs.

Jennifer Tassler joined AMSNY in 2016 and is currently the Vice President for Government Relations and Strategic Affairs. In this role, Jennifer oversees AMSNY’s government relations and advocacy efforts. She monitors all state and federal legislation affecting AMSNY member schools and manages AMSNY Scholars in Medicine and Science programs, including the AMSNY Scholarship in Medicine program. Jennifer also works with staff to plan advocacy day activities in Albany and Washington, DC, and works with external lobbyists and is the liaison to the Government Relations Committee at AMSNY. Prior to joining AMSNY, Jennifer worked in the Office of Legislation at the Food and Drug Administration and spent several years at the American Psychiatric Association where she handled federal regulatory policy and congressional relations. Jennifer has a longstanding interest in science and medicine, graduating with a major in neuroscience from Pomona College in Claremont, CA, and then went on to law school at The Catholic University Columbus School of Law in Washington, DC, where she specialized in health law.

Dr. Brateil Badal oversees AMSNY’s medicine and science initiatives. Prior to her role as Vice President for Academic Affairs in Medicine and Research, she served as AMSNY’s Director of Academic Affairs in Medicine and Research. Brateil has more than 10 years of experience in the design, implementation and management of academic programs and support services in higher education. She is an avid advocate for STEM and her passion is in science education, research, and initiative development. Brateil graduated from the University of California, Berkeley with a major in Molecular and Cell Biology and a minor in Education, and a master’s degree in Endocrinology. She earned her PhD in Cancer Biology in 2017 from the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Her doctoral work focused on gene expression profiling of human primary and metastatic melanoma. She has taught biology courses to undergraduate, graduate, and medical students at UC Berkeley, CUNY School of Medicine/The Sophie Davis Biomedical Education Program, and Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Brateil was selected as recipient of the 2017 Miki Rifkin Outstanding Service Award, an honor that distinguishes sustained and committed service to efforts in academic recruitment, outreach, and education. 

Sudiksha Singh joined AMSNY in 2022 and currently serves as Associate Director of Health Policy. In this role, she oversees the organization of the Science Forward initiative for researchers in the basic sciences and supports the Government Relations team for all policy and advocacy efforts at state and federal levels. Prior to joining AMSNY, Sudiksha worked as a Strategy Associate for Advantage Care Physicians New York (ACPNY) where she oversaw projects researching the impacts of COVID-19 on patient care at 40 ACPNY clinics in New York City. Originally from the Greater Toronto Area, Sudiksha graduated with an Honours Specialization in Animal Behavior and a minor in Political Science from the University of Western Ontario in 2020. Having taken on public health roles in Canada and India, Sudiksha further pursued her interest in health equity and global health governance, receiving a Master of Public Health with a Certificate in Health and Human Rights from Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health in 2022.

Alyssa Alvarez assumed the position of Associate Director of Medical Education Initiatives at AMSNY in the spring of 2023 following her graduation from Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. In this role, her primary responsibilities include orchestrating the development and execution of programs within AMSNY’s portfolio, including the AMSNY Scholars in Medicine and Science programs and the AMSNY Scholarship in Medicine. Prior to Columbia, Alyssa obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Physiology with a minor in Chemistry from San Francisco State University before attending UC San Diego to pursue a Post-Baccalaureate in Pre-Medicine. During her time at UC San Diego, Alyssa worked as a research assistant in Orthopedic Surgery, where she studied the effects of cell and gene therapies in animal models. Her experience in pre-medicine and research served as a catalyst for her to decision to pursue a Master’s degree in Public Health, with the aim of addressing social determinants of health and health inequities.

Calissa McNeely joined AMSNY in July of 2023 and currently serves as Junior Chief of Staff. In this role, she oversees the Anatomical Donation Program, helps implement streamlining projects, and supports policy efforts. Calissa graduated from Manhattan College in the spring of 2023 with a degree in International Studies. While in college Calissa helped develop and implement programs for the Manhattan College community. Her participation in advocacy efforts helped cement her interest in equitable access to education and healthcare.