Announcement: New leadership structure for Schulich Dentistry

I am pleased to announce a new leadership structure for Schulich Dentistry and the incumbents who will be forming the leadership team. This new structure replaces the previous one in Dentistry effective as of today.

The structure includes four roles: Associate Dean, Undergraduate Dental Education; Associate Dean, Graduate and Postgraduate Dental Education; Associate Dean, Faculty Affairs - Dentistry; and Assistant Dean, Dentistry Research. Each with a five-year term.

These positions are in addition to the Vice-Dean and Director, and Assistant Director roles within Dentistry. As was previously announced in November, Dr. Harvey Goldberg, PhD, is serving in the role as Assistant Director. In this role, Dr. Goldberg is managing the day-to-day operations of Schulich Dentistry. I am continuing in my role as the acting Vice-Dean and Director. We look forward to working together with all faculty, staff and students to advance the mission of Schulich Dentistry and achieve the goals of the School’s strategic plan.

Associate Dean, Undergraduate Dental Education
Dr. Gildo Santos, DDS, PhD, has been appointed Associate Dean, Undergraduate Dental Education. Dr. Santos earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery in 1986, and his Master of Science in Dental Clinics in 1999 from Federal University of Bahia in Brazil. He also earned his PhD in Oral Rehabilitation in 2003 from the University of Sao Paulo.

In addition to his role as an Associate Professor, Dr. Santos has served in many administrative capacities in Schulich Dentistry including Assistant Director, Clinical Affairs; Chair, Continuing Dental Education; and Chair, Division of Restorative Dentistry. He currently also serves as an Assistant Professor with the Faculty of Dentistry at the University of Toronto. He is a member of many Schulich Dentistry committees and holds membership with numerous associations including the London & District Dental Society, Canadian Dental Association, Ontario Dental Association, American Dental Education Association, and the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario, just to name a few.

Dr. Santos’ research focus is on dental material and prosthodontics with a specific interest in computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing.

Throughout the past few years, Dr. Santos has been recognized with a number of awards including the W. W. Wood Award for Excellence in Dental Education from the Association of Canadian Faculties of Dentistry, a Fellowship from the Coordination of Improvement of Higher Education Personnel, and a medal of commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Brazilian Dental Association. He is also an honorary member of the Brazilian Dental Association.

Associate Dean, Graduate and Postgraduate Dental Education
Dr. Walter Siqueira, DDS, PhD, has been appointed Associate Dean, Graduate and Postgraduate Dental Education. Dr. Siqueira earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery in 1999 at the University of Santo Amaro in Brazil, and his PhD in Oral Biology/Biochemistry in 2005 at the University of Sao Paulo. He completed his postdoctoral work in Oral Biology at Boston University in 2007, and served as a Diplomat in Internationalization of Higher Education at the College of the Americas/Inter-American Organization for Higher Education from 2014 to 2015. Dr. Siqueira is an Associate Professor and has served as Assistant Director for Faculty Affairs from 2015 to 2017.

Dr. Siqueira has a prolific research program that is focused on oral biology, oral biochemistry, acquired enable pellicle, saliva and salivary gland, cariology and dental erosion and proteomics. He enjoys strong relationships with several departments at Schulich Medicine & Dentistry and faculties across Western University. He has received CIHR and NSERC funding, as well as funding through several other granting agencies. He serves as a scientific and grant reviewer, as well as a journal referee.

Dr. Siqueira is an educator who has been serving as a lecturer, course director, and clinic instructor for many years. He was recognized with the W. W. Wood Award of Excellence in Dental Education from the Association of Canadian Faculties of Dentistry in 2012, and was named to the Honor Roll for Western University’s Student Council Excellence in Teaching in 2013 and 2016, and with the Vanguard Award from WorldDiscoveries in 2016.

Associate Dean, Faculty Affairs - Dentistry
Dr. Hiran Perinpanayagam, DDS, PhD, has been appointed Associate Dean, Faculty Affairs - Dentistry. Dr. Perinpanayagam is an Associate Professor and has served as Assistant Director overseeing the undergraduate dental curriculum for the Doctor of Dental Surgery and Internationally Trained Dentists programs within Schulich Dentistry. He earned his Bachelor of Dental Surgery in 1989 at the University of Otago, New Zealand, a Master of Science in Biochemistry in 1995 and a Certificate in Advanced Education in 1997 both from the University of Rochester, New York. He also earned his PhD in Oral Science in 2003 and Certificate for Specialty Training in Endodontics in 2001, both from the University of Iowa.

Prior to joining the faculty at Schulich Medicine & Dentistry, Dr. Perinpanayagam served as Assistant Professor and researcher at the School of Dental Medicine, University of Buffalo and a Clinical Instructor at the University of Rochester.

Dr. Perinpanayagam holds several patents and his research is focused on skeletal biology and biomaterials.

Throughout his career, Dr. Perinpanayagam has received several awards. He has been named to the Honor Roll for Western University’s Student Council Excellence in Teaching from 2007 to 2009 and from 2012 to 2017.

Assistant Dean, Dentistry Research
Douglas Hamilton, PhD, has been appointed Assistant Dean, Dentistry Research. He is an Associate Professor in Oral Biology and Anatomy and Cell Biology, Schulich Medicine & Dentistry. He earned his Bachelor of Science in 1996 at the University of St. Andrews, and his PhD in Cellular Engineering from the University of Glasgow in 2000. After working as a research associate at the McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, he completed his postdoctoral studies at the University of British Columbia in 2007. He has served as the Chair of the Division of Oral Biology, Chair of the Nominating Committee and the Graduate Affairs Committee in Anatomy and Cell Biology. He is a member of several School and University committees including Animal Care, Promotion and Tenure, Academic Affairs, Admissions and served on the Vice-Dean and Director Search Committee.

Dr. Hamilton has received tri-council funding, as well as funding through several major granting agencies. His research is focused on the molecular biology underlying wound repair and regeneration in connective tissues including bone, skin and the periodontium. In addition to his teaching responsibilities, Dr. Hamilton has supervised 15 graduate trainees and 28 undergraduate students.

In the past few years, Dr. Hamilton has been recognized with a Quintessence-ACFD Visiting Professorship and Ambassadors Knowledge Translation Award.

Please join me in congratulating Drs. Santos, Siqueira, Perinpanayagam, and Hamilton on their appointments to these leadership roles at a critical time in the implementation of the strategic plan for Schulich Dentistry.


Dr. Michael J. Strong
Dean, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry
Distinguished University Professor
Arthur J. Hudson Chair in ALS Research
Scientist, Robarts Research Institute