Following the recent appointment of Dr. Jeff Banas as associate dean for research, the University of Iowa College of Dentistry is pleased to announce two new leadership appointments that will continue to strengthen the college’s research enterprise.

Dr. Liu Hong named interim director of the Iowa Institute for Oral Health Research

Hong, Professor in the Department of Prosthodontics and a long-standing member of the Iowa Institute for Oral Health Research (IIOHR), has been appointed interim director of the IIOHR. In this role, Hong will oversee the day-to-day operations of the college’s research laboratories, including managing staff, equipment and space, coordinating scheduling, and ensuring smooth and efficient use of shared resources.

Hong earned his MD and MS in clinical medicine and neurosurgery from Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, followed by a PhD in medical science from Kyoto University. He joined the University of Iowa College of Dentistry in 2009 and was promoted to professor in 2019.

Hong’s research focuses on bone regeneration and the prevention of periodontitis, particularly in patients with systemic health challenges. His work has been supported by multiple NIH grants and he has been published in leading journals. He has mentored numerous graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. His extensive experience in biomedical research and lab management makes him well-suited to lead the IIOHR’s operational and strategic efforts.

Dr. Hongli Sun appointed director of the Graduate Program in Oral Science

Sun, professor in the IIOHR and the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, has been appointed Director of the Graduate Program in Oral Science. Sun is a nationally recognized researcher and mentor whose work centers on developing nano-biomaterials and drug delivery systems for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.

Sun is an expert in cell biology and biomedical engineering; he received a BS in biology from Changchun Normal University and an MS in cell biology from Nanjing Normal University. He continued his education at the Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, receiving a PhD in cell biology. Sun completed his postdoctoral fellowship in biomedical engineering at the University of Michigan College of Dentistry in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Prior to joining the University of Iowa in 2018, Sun was an assistant professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of South Dakota.

At Iowa, Sun has designed graduate research methodology courses to train students in research design and analysis. His research has resulted in multiple NIH grants and has been published in leading journals. The graduate program in oral science will benefit from Sun’s leadership and commitment to graduate training.

Both faculty members bring deep expertise and a strong commitment to advancing oral health research and education. Their leadership will be instrumental in guiding the next generation of researchers and expanding the impact of the college’s research programs.