Advisory Board and Editors Dentistry
Nikolaos Gkantidis
Nikolaos Gkantidis has been a full-time Senior Staff Member at the Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, University of Bern, Switzerland, since 2016. He earned the Venia Docendi (Privatdozent) title from the same institution in 2018 and the Assoc. Prof. title in 2024. Prof. Gkantidis graduated from the Dental School of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece (2006). Subsequently, he pursued a post-graduate program in Orthodontics at the University of Athens, graduating with honours (2010), and run an orthodontic practice in Thessaloniki (2010-2016). Prof. Gkantidis completed his doctoral studies in Bern (2013) and also served as a part-time staff member of the Department (2012-2016). In 2022, he obtained a Ph.D. degree from the University of Groningen, the Netherlands.
Prof. Gkantidis has published numerous original research papers and forged national and international collaborations in key research areas, which include the development and utilization of 3D imaging techniques in clinical research and practice, the study of facial attractiveness, and the investigation of craniofacial form. For his innovative work he has received various national and international grants and awards.
Melissa M Grant
Senior Lecturer in Biological Sciences, University of Birmingham, UK
Co-lead for the Periodontal Research Group (PRG)
Melissa graduated in 1997 with a BSc in Biochemistry and immediately took up a CASE Award (Du Pont) PhD in the laboratories of Dr Dennis Briggs, studying enzymes involved in the germination of wheat grain. These enzymes would ultimately be exploited in the improvement of animal feeds and in bread baking, allowing bread to rise more and yield a ‘fluffier’ loaf.
She was introduced to the field of proteomic research at the end of her PhD and subsequently went on to set up the proteomic laboratory of Prof Helen Griffiths at Aston University. Leading on from her interests in nutrition Melissa investigated the effects of vitamins C, E and folate on human health and disease, including cancer, Alzheimer’s and heart diseases. She analysed both human plasma samples and cell culture derived samples, generating a number of papers during this post doctoral research.
In 2005 she joined the School of Dentistry's Periodontal Research Group at the University of Birmingham as lead postdoctoral fellow on projects to assess how micronutrients could be used to improve oral health. She was appointed as lecturer in 2011 in Biological Sciences and has office and laboratory space in both the schools of dentistry and biosciences.
Naoto Haruyama
Associate professor, Section of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, Faculty of Dental Science, Kyushu University, Japan.
Received his D.D.S (1998) and Ph.D. (2002) in Dentistry from Tohoku University, Japan.
Postdoc at NIDCR/NIH in the U.S. from 2004-2007.
Physician Scientist for patients with cleft lip/palate and/or other congenital anomalies.
Research: biomineralization, extracellular matrix proteins in teeth, tooth movement, and congenital anomalies.
Quamarul Hassan
Dr. Quamarul Hassan is a Professor within the School of Dentistry/Cell Developmental and Integrative Biology at the University of Alabama, Birmingham.
While I was a master's student at Indian Veterinary Research Institute, I became fascinated with monoclonal antibody gene diversity theory. It was 1987 when Susumu Tonegawa won the Nobel Prize for his discovery of V(D)J recombination. I mostly credited him for inspiring my interest in molecular and cellular biology.
I have a long-standing interest in the genetic, epigenetic, and non-coding RNA mediated mechanisms regulating skeletal development and maintenance, specifically the functional role of miRNAs, lncRNAs, and chromatin regulation and their significance linked to gene regulation. During the last 20 years, I have developed highly effective ex vivo and in vivo strategies, including novel methods and genetic mouse models for studying bone tissue-specific-chromatin organization and modifications, miRNA, and LncRNA function. These models and strategies allow us to unravel the fundamental basis of tissue-specific gene activation and repression. Previously, my research has identified HOX transcription factor switching is critical for bone formation and homeostasis. The novel concept of epigenetic bookmarking of genes allows a cell to retain a “memory bank” for osteoblast lineage. In 2010, my research on the non-coding miRNA 23a-cluster revealed the microRNA-epigenetic regulatory mechanism critical for bone mass maintenance. I believe that my contribution will significantly advance the understanding of the genetic and epigenetic basis of skeletogenesis. Further, these conceptual understandings will likely inform novel therapeutics for bone regeneration, skeletal disorders, consumptive hypothyroidism, and osteosarcoma.
Fenglei He
I am a developmental biologist interested in craniofacial morphogenesis and malformation. Our current research focuses on understanding cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying midfacial and calvarial development.
Adam Husein
Adam Husein is Professor of Prosthodontics at the College of Dental Medicine, University of Sharjah. He is a Fellow with the International College of Dentist and member of the International College of Prosthodontist. Prof. Husein's specialized interest is in maxillofacial prosthodontics, laser, biomaterials, implantology and stem cells.
Georgios Kanavakis
Dr. George Kanavakis is an Assistant Professor of Orthodontics in the School of Dentistry of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece. He is also a Senior Lecturer (Privat Dozent) at the University of Basel, Switzerland and a Visiting Assistant Professor in the Department of Orthodontics at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine in Boston, Massachusetts. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics and a full member of the Edward H. Angle Society of Orthodontists.
Dr. Kanavakis is a graduate of the School of Dentistry at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. He holds a postgraduate certificate in Temporomandibular Disorders and Orofacial Pain, a Master of Science and a postgraduate certificate in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics from Tufts University, School of Dental Medicine in Boston, MA. He also holds a doctorate degree from the University of Bern, Switzerland and a PhD from the University of Oulu in Finland.
Dr. Kanavakis has published more than 45 articles in peer-reviewed orthodontic journals, has co-authored three book chapters and is a reviewer for more than 15 orthodontic publications. His main research interests focus on Factors affecting the Perception of Facial Appearance, Three-Dimensional Facial Analysis, 3D Imaging, as well as the use of skeletal anchorage in orthodontic clinical practice.
Mohd Fadhli Khamis
Senior lecturer of Oral Biology and Forensic Odontology, Universiti Sains Malaysia.
Despina Koletsi
Despina Koletsi is currently Senior Teaching & Research Staff (Oberassistentin) at the University of Zurich. She qualified from the School of Dentistry, University of Athens and received her orthodontic training from the same University, where she completed a Master of Science in Orthodontics. She earned a Doctorate from the University of Bonn and a second Master’s Degree in Epidemiology from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, University of London. She also completed the postgraduate programme in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education of the University of London and obtained the University of London Worldwide Recognised Tutor Status. She has been in private orthodontic practice in Athens, Greece, since 2012.
Dr Koletsi has published more than 80 scientific and methodological papers in international peer- reviewed journals and has given more than 40 lectures and presentations. Her research interests and areas of expertise focus on orthodontics, epidemiology, research methodology and meta- epidemiology. She serves as Academic Editor/ member of the Editorial Board in 6 peer- reviewed journals and as an Independent Reviewer for 35 international journals in Orthodontics, Paediatric Dentistry, Dentistry, Medicine, Epidemiology and Evidence- based research, including the prestigious British Medical Journal.
Anne Marie Kuijpers-Jagtman
My expertise is in the field of orthodontics, cleft lip and palate, and craniofacial anomalies, in particular clinical and translational research. I have a long-standing interest in the biological mechanisms of orthodontic tooth movement. In recent years, my research interests have also been in 3D-imaging and evidence based orthodontics. I am an experienced editor and author. I (co)authored over 375 publications in Medline.
At present I work as Senior Faculty & Educator at the University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Orthodontics, in Groningen, The Netherlands. I serve as Adjunct Professor at the University of Bern, Department of Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopedics in Switzerland, and at Universitas Indonesia Faculty of Dentistry in Jakarta in Indonesia. From 2014-2018 I was Confidential Adviser on scientific integrity for the Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands, dealing with suspicions or concerns related to plagiarism, scientific deceit or fraud.
Liran Levin
Professor and Head, Division of Periodontology at University of Alberta, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry. Visiting Professor of Periodontology at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA. Published more than 180 articles and book chapters in the international professional literature and is involved in research mainly in periodontology, dental implants and dental trauma. Lecturing extensively both nationally and internationally.
Prof. Levin serves as an Associate Editor for the International Dental Journal, Scientific Associate Editor for the Quintessence International, Associate Editor for the Dental Traumatology and as an Editorial Board Member and a manuscript reviewer for some of the leading international professional Journals in the fields of periodontology, dental implants, dental trauma and general dentistry.
Prof. Levin has served as The Chairman of the Ethics in Dental Research Committee of the International Association for Dental Research (IADR). He is currently the secretary of the International Association for Dental Traumatology (IADT).
Shivam Mehta
Dr. Mehta has expertise in the biology of orthodontic tooth movement, mini-screw assisted rapid palatal expansion, Artificial Intelligence in dentistry and a passion for improving the health and wellbeing of Osteogenesis Imperfecta. Dr. Mehta is thankful to the American Association of Orthodontists Foundation (AAOF), Northeastern Society of Orthodontists (NESO), National Science Foundation (NSF) Innovation Corps (I-Corps) for supporting his research with more than 4 grants. He works as an Assistant Professor at Marquette University School of Dentistry, American Dental Association (ADA) Standard’s Committee - Represents the interests of United States regarding dental and orthodontic materials as an active member of ADA Standards Committee on Dental Products (SCDP)/Standards Committee on Dental Informatics (SCDI); Secretary American Dental Education Association (ADEA) Postgraduate Application Support Service Advisory Council; Northeastern Society of Orthodontists (NESO) Annual Planning Committee and moderator for scientific sessions; Past core-member of President’s Council on Race and Diversity.