Ann Arbor, MI — May 25, 2012 — Six members of the University of Michigan School of Dentistry faculty were promoted by U-M Regents during their May meeting. 

The six, whose promotions are effective on September 1, are:

TENURE TRACK

Nisha D’Silva, BDS, MSD, PhD was promoted to professor of dentistry from associate professor of dentistry in the Department of Periodontics and Oral Medicine.  D’Silva, the Donald Kerr Endowed Collegiate Professor of Oral Pathology at the School of Dentistry, is also a researcher and teacher at both the U-M School of Dentistry and the Medical School.

D’Silva was the first director of the Tissue Core of the Head and Neck Cancer Specialized Programs for Research Excellence (SPORE).  In 2004, she was selected by the American Dental Education Association to participate in the 12-month Leadership Institute, which helps develop the nation’s most promising faculty to become future leaders in dentistry and dental education.  In 2010, she was one of 54 women from across the country selected to participate in the Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine, a program designed to increase the number of women in senior academic leadership positions.

CLINICAL TRACK

Renee Duff, DDS, MS, was promoted to clinical associate professor of dentistry from clinical assistant professor in the Department of Biologic and Materials Sciences. 

Duff, coordinator of predoctoral prosthodontics, has taught clinical prosthodontics at U-M since 1997.  She directs the complete denture course and also presents guest lectures in the predoctoral and dental hygiene programs. 

Paul Edwards, BSc, MSc, DDS, was promoted to clinical professor of dentistry from clinical associate professor of dentistry in the Department of Periodontics and Oral Medicine.

Edwards teaches in classrooms and clinics, directs the School’s three-year oral pathology residency program, is director of the School’s oral pathology biopsy service, and treats patients in the Dental Faculty Associates clinic.  He is also a member of the Executive Council of the American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology and is editor of the oral pathology section of the Journal of Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology and Oral Radiology, the official journal of AAOMP.

Sean Edwards, DDS, MD, was promoted to clinical associate professor of dentistry from clinical assistant professor of dentistry in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Hospital Dentistry.

Edwards is the director of the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Residency Program and chief of pediatric maxillofacial surgery at the C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital.  His clinical interests include reconstruction of congenital facial deformities, cleft lip and palate, pediatric sleep apnea, pediatric trauma and oncologic defects.  His clinical interests have also focused on using microsurgery and advanced imaging, computer based planning, and rapid prototyping to improve outcomes in reconstructive surgery.

Tae-Ju Oh, DDS, MS, was promoted to clinical professor of dentistry from clinical associate professor of dentistry in the Department of Periodontics and Oral Medicine. 

Recently appointed associate chair of POM, Oh is the co-director of the predoctoral implant program.  Last year he participated in the ADEA’s Leadership Institute which helps develop the nation’s most promising dental faculty to become future leaders in dental and higher education.

Bill Piskorowski, DDS, was promoted to clinical associate professor of dentistry from clinical assistant professor of dentistry in the Department of Cariology, Restorative Sciences, and Endodontics. 

Piskorowski directs the School’s Community Outreach Program and is the co-director of four courses for the Department of Cariology, Restorative Sciences, and Endodontics focusing on practice management and clinical foundations curriculum.  He is also a consultant for the Michigan Dental Association’s Special Committee on Access to Care, American Academy of Pediatric Dentists Head Start Dental Home Leadership Group, The Dental Advisor, and a lecturer for Captek (Precious Metals Inc.).