Russell Taichman, DMD, DMSc, will be the ninth dean of the School of Dentistry.Russell Taichman, DMD, DMSc, has been named dean of the UAB School of Dentistry following a national search. His appointment will begin in July 2019, and Taichman will be the school’s ninth dean.
Taichman joins UAB from the University of Michigan School of Dentistry where he was associate dean for research and the Major Ash Collegiate Professor in the Department of Periodontics and Oral Medicine. He received his doctoral degree in dental medicine from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, his doctor of medical science degree and a certificate in periodontology from the Harvard School of Dental Medicine, and he engaged in post-doctoral studies at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine.
“I very much look forward to joining a university with such a highly ranked academic medical center at its core with a shared vision for continued excellence,” Taichman said. “I foresee many possible collaborations for the UAB School of Dentistry with other parts of the university and its medical center, and I am eager to serve our students, faculty, staff and alumni in the years to come.”
UAB President Ray Watts credits the search committee led by UAB Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Pam Benoit for identifying Taichman as the next leader of the School of Dentistry.
“I applaud Dr. Benoit and the committee for leading this nationwide search that yielded a strong candidate pool,” Watts said. “As the only dental school in the state of Alabama, I am confident that Dr. Taichman will help propel continued growth and visibility of UAB’s School of Dentistry, furthering the school’s distinct history in its research, education and clinical arms that make a tremendous difference in our community.”
Taichman’s research has focused on identifying the molecular mechanisms that regulate how bone marrow functions in both health and disease and how marrow relates to tissue regeneration and cancer stem cells. He has authored more than 120 peer-reviewed publications in the fields of bone biology and hematology.
Taichman has also published scholarly articles in leadership training for oral health professionals. He developed and for nearly 10 years directed the University of Michigan School of Dentistry Scholars Program in Dental Leadership, a program focused on the leadership development of dental and dental hygiene students.
Taichman succeeds Michelle Robinson, DMD, who has served as interim dean.
“We are very grateful for the leadership of Dr. Robinson during the transition period,” Benoit said. “She has vigorously continued the forward progress of the school throughout her time as interim dean.”
