Several faculty were recently recognized by faculty and students for their contributions to the School of Dental Medicine.

Dr. Ivo Kalajzic, professor in the Center for Regenerative Medicine and Skeletal Development, was the recipient of the Outstanding Faculty Mentor Award. Dr. Easwar Natarajan, professor of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, and Dr. Aadarsh Gopalakrishna, associate professor and chair in the department of General Dentistry, both received First Year Teaching Awards.

“We congratulate the individuals who have been honored by their peers and by our learners. The school is indeed fortunate to be able to celebrate the contributions and achievements of its faculty,” said Dr. Steven Lepowsky, dean of the School of Dental Medicine.

Kalajzic received the Outstanding Faculty Mentor Award from the Faculty Development Advisory Committee in the School of Dental Medicine—a seven-member committee comprised of senior and junior faculty from both basic and clinical sciences. The award, in its second year, recognizes a senior faculty member for their exceptional junior faculty mentoring activities.

The First Year Teaching Award is given by second-year dental and medical students to honor faculty who exemplify excellence in advancing the education of students during the first-year curriculum. The students select professors that create a positive learning environment, instill a love of learning, and go above and beyond for students navigating their first year of dental or medical school. Along with Gopalakrishna and Natarajan, Drs. Dharamainder Choudhary, Claire Stoudemire and James Watras of the School of Medicine were honored.