Tufts University School of Dental Medicine – Featured Speakers
Dr. Aruna Ramesh, D04, is the associate dean for academic affairs and a professor in the department of diagnostic sciences at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine. The department houses the divisions of oral medicine, craniofacial pain, oral pathology, oral and maxillofacial radiology, and cancer biology/tissue engineering. She has been a faculty member at TUSDM since 2001. In addition to her degree from TUSDM, she received an M.S. in oral and maxillofacial radiology from University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, School of Dentistry in 2000. She is a diplomate of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology. She serves as the elected Councilor of Scientific Affairs and Public Policy for the American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology. She is involved with educational, research, patient care and administrative responsibilities. She has a private practice limited to oral and maxillofacial radiology.
Dr. Nadeem Karimbux was appointed dean of Tufts University School of Dental Medicine in July 2019. He also serves as professor in the department of periodontology. Before joining TUSDM in 2012, Dr. Karimbux served in numerous positions at Harvard School of Dental Medicine (HSDM), including director of predoctoral periodontology, program director of the Advanced Graduate Education Program in Periodontology, and in 1998, assistant dean for dental education. Dr. Karimbux has served on the board of editors for the Journal of Dental Education and as an associate editor for the Journal of Periodontology and MedEdPORTAL. He is the editor for the Journal of Dental Education and the online editor for Carranza’s Clinical Periodontology textbook. Dr. Karimbux has received numerous honors during his academic career, including the G.W. Teuscher Award from the American Society of Dentistry for Children, the Periodontal Educator Award from the American Academy of Periodontology, and Distinguished Faculty Awards from Harvard School of Dental Medicine. In 2010, he received the Presidential Citation from the American Dental Education Association. He has published more than 100 papers, authored textbooks, and lectured worldwide. In 2015, he received the Provost’s Award for Outstanding Teaching and Service from the university. Dr. Karimbux received his D.M.D. in 1991 and his M.M.Sc. and graduate certificate in periodontology in 1993, both from HSDM.
Yannis Koroneos, D20, Class President
Yanni was born and raised in Astoria, New York. He earned a B.A. in international relations at Boston University, concentrating in Middle East foreign policy. After graduation, Yanni worked as a research technician at the Forsyth Institute, where he discovered his love for dentistry through periodontal research. He then completed a post-baccalaureate program at Tufts and matriculated to TUSDM through the early assurance program. As class president, he served as the conduit between the administration and the student body. Yanni was also a recipient of the Dean’s Research Scholarship for all four years while at TUSDM, where he focused on implant survival and complications in the department of periodontology. After graduation, Yanni will be starting a general practice residency at Bellevue Hospital in New York City.
Nadine Bedair, IS20, Class President
Nadine Amr Bedair was born and raised in Cairo, Egypt. She earned her bachelor of dental surgery degree with honors from MSA University in Egypt in 2014. After graduation, Nadine worked as an oral biology teacher at MSA University as well as an associate dentist at a private practice in Egypt. When she moved to the U.S. in 2016, she became an active volunteer working in homeless shelters and hospitals in Portland, Oregon. While at Tufts, Nadine had the honor to serve as the IS20 class president each year. Nadine actively worked with Dr. Ronald Perry on developing the IS curriculum and was also assigned as the head student teaching assistant for the operative and IS prosthodontics courses. Additionally, Nadine served as the chair of Community Service in the African Diaspora.
Mary Jane Hanlon, D97, is the associate dean for clinical affairs at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine. Dr. Hanlon is a member and the president-elect of the Massachusetts Dental Society and a member of the Academy of General Dentistry. She has served the Massachusetts Dental Society as chair of the Council of Public Affairs and chair of the Council of Dental Education, and currently serves as trustee for the Middlesex district. In addition to her trustee duties, she was scientific co-chair for the Yankee Dental Congress in 2011, 2012, and 2015, scientific chair for 2014, and general chair for 2017. She has remained involved with Tufts as a reunion class co-chair and is currently co-chair of the Dental M Club. In addition to her degree from TUSDM, Dr. Hanlon has a B.S. in biology from Worcester State College, an associate degree in dental hygiene from Forsyth School for Dental Hygienists, and an MBA from Suffolk University.