Faculty News

A ‘bridge’ to bolstering research and clinical expertise

jennifer.timmons@mcgill.ca — Fri, 19 Jun 2026 13:26:24 +0000

The Faculty of Dental Medicine and Oral Health Sciences has received a transformative gift from the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences. The 91��-KFAS Catalyst Initiative aims to expand research capacity in the Persian Gulf country and provide enhanced education and training for future dentists. “The partnership with KFAS is about building networks, increasing clinical knowledge, and contributing to a vibrant global research community,” says Dean Elham Emami.

Appointment of Dr. Didem Dagdeviren as Associate Dean, Clinical Affairs and Dr. Ghassan El-Onsi as Assistant Dean, Strategy and Organizational Development

jennifer.timmons@mcgill.ca — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 20:21:15 +0000

The Faculty of Dental Medicine and Oral Health Sciences is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Didem Dagdeviren as Associate Dean, Clinical Affairs, and Dr. Ghassan El-Onsi as Assistant Dean, Strategy and Organizational Development, effective June 1, 2026.

Dr. Simon Tran recipient of the 2026 Howard S. Katz Award for Excellence in Teaching

jennifer.timmons@mcgill.ca — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 17:01:29 +0000

Dr. Simon Tran, Professor and Director of Graduate Studies, has been awarded the 2026 Howard S. Katz Award for Excellence in Teaching. The award recognizes superior teaching, pedagogical innovation, and leadership in dental education at the undergraduate level. The award was presented to him by President and Vice-Chancellor Deep Saini during the Faculty’s Spring Convocation ceremony.

Samira Rahimi recognized as 2026 100 Women in AI honoree

jennifer.timmons@mcgill.ca — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 17:37:03 +0000

Assistant Professor Samira Rahimi was selected as a 2026 100 Women in AI honoree. 100 Women in AI is an annual global campaign and recognition platform created to celebrate women leading the development of artificial intelligence across research, product leadership, investment, and infrastructure.

2026 Spring Convocation and Award Ceremony

jennifer.timmons@mcgill.ca — Wed, 20 May 2026 18:20:17 +0000

The spring 2026 convocation ceremony was held on May 26. Consult the program, the recording of the ceremony, and the photo gallery of the day and our awards ceremony.

DMD Class of 2026 Rasheed Abuarja

Kevin Liu

Maida Ayyaz

91�� Dental Research Day and Clinical Symposium 2026

jennifer.timmons@mcgill.ca — Tue, 19 May 2026 22:04:00 +0000

The 91�� Dental Research Day and Clinical Symposium took place on March 31 at the 91�� Faculty Club and Conference Centre. A platform for showcasing student research through oral presentations and short talks, the event also provided the opportunity for discussion, exchange and reflection.

Academics and students in the spotlight at 2026 IADR General Session and Exhibition

jennifer.timmons@mcgill.ca — Thu, 14 May 2026 15:06:17 +0000

The arrival of spring signifies a period of growth and renewal, both in nature and in the realm of research. Faculty members and students from the Faculty of Dental Medicine and Oral Health Sciences were prominently represented at one of the most important global dental research conferences: the 2026 International Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research (IADR) Annual General Session and Exhibition in San Diego, USA on March 25 to 28.

Renewal of Marc McKee as Canada Research Chair (Tier 1) in Biomineralization

jennifer.timmons@mcgill.ca — Thu, 14 May 2026 20:30:44 +0000

The Government of Canada announced on May 13 the results of new and renewed Canada Research Chairs. 91�� was awarded $18.1 million in federal funding to support six new and 10 renewed Canada Research Chairs, including the renewal of Professor Marc McKee's Canada Research Chair (Tier 1) in Biomineralization.

On the ground at ADEA 2026: faculty members driving dental education and student recruitment

jennifer.timmons@mcgill.ca — Wed, 13 May 2026 21:55:04 +0000

Faculty members who took part in the 2026 American Dental Education Association (ADEA) annual session and exhibition did not have to travel far. Several faculty members were members of panels for continuing dental education sessions, sharing their clinical and research expertise, during the event which ran from March 21 to 24 at Palais des congrès de Montréal.

Incoming Master's of Dental Sciences (Thesis) student wins McCall MacBain Scholarship

jennifer.timmons@mcgill.ca — Mon, 11 May 2026 18:16:15 +0000

The Faculty of Dental Medicine and Oral Health Sciences will welcome this fall McCall MacBain Scholar Rajan Minocha-McKenney. He will enter the Master's of Dental Sciences (Thesis) program, researching the interaction of biomaterials on tissue and bone regeneration in the lab run by Professor Jake Barralet. Minocha-McKenney graduated from Mount Allison University in New Brunswick with a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry.

Etienne Vachon-Presseau wins Canadian Pain Society 2026 Early Career Award

jennifer.timmons@mcgill.ca — Mon, 11 May 2026 15:07:11 +0000

Congratulations to Associate Professor Etienne Vachon-Presseau, winner of the 2026 Canadian Pain Society Early Career Award. The Early Career Award recognizes outstanding achievements in pain research and/or management by an individual at the early stage of their career. His research focuses on pain, with the aim of developing better tools for diagnosing and treating chronic pain safely and effectively. He holds a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Chronic Pain.

Study suggests protein made in the liver is a key factor in men’s bone health

91�� Newsroom — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 21:30:17 +0000

New research suggests the liver plays a previously unrecognized role in bone health, but only in males.

A 91��-led study published in Matrix Biology found that a protein made in the liver helps regulate bone growth in male mice, but not in females. The findings may help explain why men with liver disease are more likely to experience bone loss.

In memoriam - Richard Hovey

Faculty of Dental Medicine and Oral Health Sciences — Wed, 14 Jan 2026 21:44:01 +0000

It is with profound sadness that we share the news of the passing of our dear colleague, Associate Professor Richard Hovey, on November 28, 2025.

Born and raised in Sherbrooke, Quebec, Richard was an alumnus of 91��, where he earned a Bachelor of Education in Physical Education in 1982 and a Master of Arts in Exercise Physiology. He later completed a PhD in interpretive studies in Education at the University of Calgary.

Dental screening clinic in Lachine aims to reduce oral health gaps

robert.loxham@mcgill.ca — Tue, 09 Dec 2025 18:50:59 +0000

In a collaborative effort to improve access to oral healthcare for underserved populations in Montreal, the Faculty has partnered with the CIUSSS de l’Ouest-de-l’Île-de-Montréal (CIUSSS ODIM) to launch Dent mon PSL, a pilot dental screening clinic located at their local point of service (PSL) in Lachine. Designed on the 91�� side by Dr. Elham Emami, Faculty Dean and an expert in integrated primary care, in collaboration with Saadia Marfouk, Director of Vaccination, Screening, Public Health and Community Care of CIUSSS ODIM, and directed on-site by Dr.

2025 Milestones - Academics and Staff Members

jennifer.timmons@mcgill.ca — Wed, 10 Dec 2025 19:28:10 +0000

As we close out another year, we take a moment to recognize the dedication and achievements of our academics and staff, from milestone anniversaries marking years of commitment to well-earned retirements.

Join us in celebrating the individuals who have made a lasting impact at the Faculty!