Researchers
Dr. Daniel Graf
dgraf@ualberta.ca
Dr. Daniel Graf joined the Departments of Dentistry and Medical Genetics at the University of Alberta as Associate Professor in 2014. His lab investigates how Bone Morphogenetic Protein (Bmp) signaling regulates the coordinated development of the craniofacial complex. For his research, he combines mouse genome engineering tools (alleles for reporting Bmp expression and signaling, lineage tracing, conditional gene ablation) with 2D and 3D imaging technologies (histology, immunohistochemistry, fluorescent microscopy, µCT) and in-depth molecular analysis.
Dr. Graf has over 60 peer-reviewed publications with over 5000 citations. He has trained over 30 MSc/PhD students, post-doctoral fellows and technicians. He has co-organized two international BMP conferences and organized the 2017 Craniofacial Biology Research Symposium at the University of Alberta as part of the 100-year celebration of the School of Dentistry.
Dr. Maria Febbraio
febbraio@ualberta.ca
Dr. Maria Febbraio is a Professor in the Department of Dentistry and also serves as the Program Director for the Oral Biology graduate division. Dr. Febbraio’s research focuses on CD36 functions in metabolism and disease using tissue-specific knockout mice, and projects related to inflammation, aggressive periodontal disease, and the impact of epigenetics in long-term risk, using periodontal and cardiovascular disease as a model.
Dr. Febbraio has published more than 100 papers and mentored students from all levels. She is funded by the Department of Dentistry, NSERC, the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada and the National Institutes of Health (USA).
Dr. Shokrollah Elahi
elahi@ualberta.ca
Dr. Shokrollah Elahi is an Associate Professor of Immunology in the School of Dentistry, adjunct Associate Professor in the Department of Oncology, and the Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry at the University of Alberta.
Dr. Elahi is an internationally recognized scientist with expertise in HIV Pathogenesis, Neonatal Immunology, Immunoregulation and Cancer. His diverse background and knowledge allow him to merge different fields to discover new treatments to control HIV infection, enhance cancer immunotherapy and prevent infectious/autoimmune diseases in newborns.
Dr. Khaled Altabtbaei
altabtba@ualberta.ca
Dr. Tarek El-Bialy
telbialy@ualberta.ca
Dr. Tarek El-Bialy joined the orthodontic team at the University of Alberta as an Associate professor in July 2005. Previously, he was an Assistant Professor of Orthodontics and Bioengineering and the Director of the Orthodontic Clinic at the King Abdul-Aziz University in Saudi Arabia. He was a lecturer in orthodontics at Tanta University in Egypt prior to his appointment at the King Abdul-Aziz University.
He obtained his BDS and MSc in Orthodontics in 1987 and 1993 respectively, and his License of Law degree in 1994, all from the University of Tanta. In 2001, he received his PhD in Bioengineering from the University of Illinois where he studied the effect of therapeutic ultrasound on bone formation during mandibular osteodistraction. He also received his Certificate of Specialty in Orthodontics in 2001 and his MSc in Oral Sciences in 2000 from the University of Illinois. In 2012, he received an Executive Masters of Business and Administration degree from the University of Alberta. In 2016, he became a full Professor.
Dr. Daniel Romanyk
dromanyk@ualberta.ca
Dr. Dan Romanyk is an Assistant Professor in Mechanical Engineering and an Adjunct Professor in the School of Dentistry. He completed his BSc and PhD in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Alberta then completed his Postdoctoral Fellowship in the School of Dentistry in 2016.
His primary research interests include fundamental mechanical characterization and modeling of the response of natural dental biomaterials to applied loading, namely the periodontal ligament and cranial suture tissues; in-vitro biomechanical simulation and design of orthodontic appliances and treatment methods (link to Orthodontic Biomechanics Testing and Development Group); and characterization of synthetic dental biomaterials such as resin-based composites and restorative ceramics.
Dr. Ava Chow
akchow@ualberta.ca
Dr. Ava Chow is an Associate Professor in Dentistry in the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry at the University of Alberta.
Dr. Chow’s research program is divided into three different themes. The foundational (basic science) aspect explores the mechanisms that regulate transcellular movement by caveolin proteins as it relates to oral and systemic health. The translational component uses fundamental research to address clinical questions and this stream of research intersects with her role as an educator, as she introduces undergraduate students to the research process in these clinically relevant projects. Finally, Dr. Chow’s educational research focuses on student educational experience as they train to become oral health professionals.
Dr. Monica Prasad Gibson
mgibson@ualberta.ca
Dr. Monica Gibson is an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry at the University of Alberta. Dr. Gibson is also the co-director of Periodontology graduate program. Dr. Gibson’s research is focused on a member of non-collagenous proteins, dentin sialophosphoprotein (DSPP). DSPP is an extracellular matrix protein that plays a vital role in the formation and mineralization of dentin and supporting periodontal tissues. Her clinical research is focused on bone biology and regeneration in Periodontal procedures. She also has done clinical studies examining the association of systemic conditions and periodontitis.
Dr. Liran Levin
liran@ualberta.ca
Liran Levin is a professor of periodontology at the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry at the University of Alberta. He is also a visiting professor at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Boston (Massachussetts).
Prof. Levin was the Head of Research at the School of Dentistry, Rambam Health Care Campus, and Faculty of Medicine - Technion IIT Haifa (Israel). He received his DMD degree with distinction at Tel Aviv University and completed his Post Graduate Periodontology Program at the Department of Periodontology, Rambam Health Care Campus. He also received his Periodontology Specialist Certificate from the European Federation of Periodontology as well as a Fellow of the Royal College of Dentists of Canada in Periodontology.
Dr. Paul Major
major@ualberta.ca
Dr. Paul Major is the Chair, School of Dentistry and Senior Associate Dean of Dental Affairs in the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry at the University of Alberta.
Dr. Major is also a Professor of Orthodontics. He leads an orthodontic biomechanics research group, which is a collaboration between mechanical engineering and dentistry. This group investigates complex force systems associated with orthodontic treatment modalities. He also investigates craniofacial morphology with advanced imaging with particular focus on understanding skeletal and dental changes due to growth and orthodontic treatment.