School of Dentistry faculty recognized at 2026 ADEA Annual Session & Exhibition
Esther Kuyinu, DDS, MS, holds her ADEA Dr. Jeanne C. Sinkford Faculty Leadership Award. Photo by Kyle Rogers.
UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry faculty were recognized with multiple honors at the American Dental Education Association 2026 Annual Session and Exhibition, held March 21-24 in Montreal.
The awards and recognitions highlight leadership, teaching excellence, and professional development across the School of Dentistry community.
Micro-credentialing Program
Michelle Aguilos Thompson, DDS, associate professor in the Department of General Dentistry and Dental Public Health and director for digital dentistry; and Khairunisa Hashmani, RDH, MA, EdD, associate professor in the Department of Periodontics and Dental Hygiene, earned ADEA micro-credentials.
The ADEA Micro-credentialing Program uses portfolio-based assessment to verify that professional development has been implemented in practice. Upon completion, recipients earn secure digital badges to display on their CVs or professional platforms.
ADEA/Crest Oral-B Scholarship
Lejini Roy, RDH, dental hygienist in the Department of Periodontics and Dental Hygiene, received an ADEA/Crest Oral-B Scholarship for Dental Hygiene Students Pursuing Academic Careers.
The scholarship supports dental hygiene students or recent graduates pursuing education beyond an associate degree who are interested in academic careers. Roy received $3,000.
ADEA Dr. Jeanne C. Sinkford Faculty Leadership Award
Esther Kuyinu, DDS, MS, associate professor in the Department of Restorative Dentistry and Prosthodontics, received the ADEA Dr. Jeanne C. Sinkford Faculty Leadership Award.
The award recognizes faculty members dedicated to academia, diversity, and social justice who demonstrate compassion, integrity, and humanism, while inspiring future leaders in oral health education. The honor included a $10,000 monetary award.
ADEA Bell Leadership Institute Achievers Program
Nikola Angelov, DDS, MS, PhD, professor and chair of the Department of Periodontics and Dental Hygiene, was selected for the Bell Leadership Institute Achievers Program.
The three-day immersive program prepares promising mid-career dental faculty for future leadership roles, including deanships, through intensive leadership development and self-assessment.
ADEA Leadership Institute Graduates
Kuyinu and Maria Gonzalez, DDS, MS, associate professor and program director for Advanced Education in Prosthodontics in the Department of Restorative Dentistry and Prosthodontics, graduated as members of the 2026 ADEA Leadership Institute class.
The yearlong program prepares emerging leaders in academic dentistry and higher education. Graduates often move into leadership roles such as department chairs, program directors, and deans.
ADEA Emerging Leaders Program Graduates
Vuvi Nguyen, MS, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Diagnostic and Biomedical Sciences, and Hamid Nurrohman, DDS, PhD, associate professor and vice chair of the Department of Restorative Dentistry and Prosthodontics, graduated from the ADEA Emerging Leaders Program.
The yearlong program supports early-career faculty in developing leadership skills, conducting research projects, and engaging with national leaders in dental education.
ADEA Best Performance by a Special Interest Group
Thompson received recognition for Best Performance by a Special Interest Group in her role as chair of the ADEA Special Interest Group on CAD/CAM Technology.
The group provides a forum for faculty to share strategies for integrating CAD/CAM technology into dental curricula.
ADEA Thomas P. Nowlin III Award for Outstanding Performance by a Section
Anita Joy-Thomas, BDS, PhD, professor and chair of the Department of Diagnostic and Biomedical Sciences, was recognized through the ADEA Section on Integrated Clinical and Applied Biomedical Sciences, which received the ADEA Council of Sections Thomas P. Nowlin III Award for Outstanding Performance by a Section.
The award recognizes sections demonstrating exceptional accomplishments and engagement throughout the year.
ADEA Section on Women in Leadership Recognition
Lisa Cain, PhD, professor and associate dean for professional development and faculty affairs, and UTHealth Houston associate vice president for faculty affairs and development, received a plaque recognition for outstanding leadership as chair of the ADEA Section on Women in Leadership.
The section provides a forum for advancing women in dental education and promoting gender equity.