Azeez Butali, Gilbert Lilly Endowed Professor of Diagnostic Sciences at the University of Iowa College of Dentistry, was recently recognized by the Nigerian Medical Association for his pioneering work in cleft lip and palate research.

The University of Iowa College of Dentistry is pleased to announce the 2026 Seed Grant Awards. These grants fund innovative projects from early-career investigators or established investigators who are developing a new line of research. The 2026 recipients are Dewey Lee, Aline Petrin, Jennifer Sukalski, and Ransome van der Hoeven.

Dr. Julie Reynolds, associate professor in the Department of Preventive and Community Dentistry at the University of Iowa College of Dentistry, will complete her term as chair of the Dental Quality Alliance (DQA) at the end of 2025. She was recently honored for her service during the DQA’s fall meeting, held at the American Dental Association headquarters in Chicago.

Members of the College of Dentistry took part in the Halloween festivities last Friday, dressing up as fun characters and more!

Dr. Sukirth Ganesan, Associate Professor and Director of the Advanced Education Program in Periodontics at the University of Iowa College of Dentistry, has been appointed as a Commissioner for the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA), representing the American Academy of Periodontology.

Dr. David Drake is retiring after more than 30 years at Iowa. A pioneering researcher, dedicated mentor, and beloved Santa Claus, Drake leaves a legacy of scientific excellence, national leadership, and personal warmth that has shaped the College of Dentistry and the oral health research profession.

The University of Iowa College of Dentistry has appointed Dr. Cris M.P. Vidal, DDS, MS, PhD, as the new Departmental Executive Officer of Operative Dentistry.

Dr. Jeremy Bobera (’22 DDS, ’25 MS) has been named a recipient of the 2025 Balint Orban Award at the Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Periodontology, held this year in Toronto.

In one of the largest gifts in the history of the University of Iowa College of Dentistry and Dental Clinics, Catherine Miller-Geroy and Gary Geroy have made a commitment to endow a chair in the Department of Prosthodontics in honor of Miller-Geroy’s father, Dr. Thaxter “Thax” Miller (’54 MS, ’54 PROS).

Robert Bowers and Anvita Maharishi, assistant professors in the Department of Family Dentistry, received a CRISP grant to study national trends in materials used for full coverage dental restorations. Their research will analyze data from 18 dental schools to assess the shift toward all-ceramic materials and inform updates to dental education and licensure standards.