Four College of Dentistry faculty members were recognized with named professorships and fellowships at the UNMC Circle of Distinction event held on Oct. 26.
A named professorship or fellowship is one of the highest honors a faculty member can receive; these awards recognize leadership, tenacity and hard work. Every day, these talented faculty members make a profound difference in the oral health field through education, research and patient care.
James F. Jenkins, DDS
Dr. Harold (Ted) Maude and Marilyn Pedersen Maude Faculty Fellow
Generously given by Susan M. Christensen, DDS, and Michael J. Christensen, DVM
Dr. Jenkins is an associate professor in the department of adult restorative dentistry. He graduated from the UNMC College of Dentistry in 1984 and practiced in Lincoln for 18 years before becoming a part-time faculty member in 1997 and a full-time faculty member in 2002. One of the many ways Dr. Jenkins influences students is through his service work, including helping start the Nebraska Mission of Mercy program which provides care to the underserved. He received the Lighthouse Woody Varner Leadership Award, the UNMC Faculty Senate’s Spirit of Community Service Award, and multiple outstanding faculty awards from dental classes.
Aimin Peng, PhD
Byron H. and Mary V. Weeth Professor of Dental Research
Generously given by Dr. Byron H. and Mrs. Mary V. Weeth
Dr. Peng is earned his PhD in molecular medicine at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio and completed postdoctoral training at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. He joined the UNMC College of Dentistry in 2010 as an assistant professor. Dr. Peng’s research interest lies in oral cancer, particularly related to how cells respond to DNA damage induced by radiation and chemotherapy. His ongoing research efforts are directed to characterize new mechanisms that confer oral cancer resistance to radiation, chemotherapy and immunotherapy, and to develop new therapeutic strategies to potentially improve the treatment outcome of oral cancer. Dr. Peng’s research program has been highly productive and well-funded by the National Cancer Institute, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research and other agencies.
Renato Roperto, DDS, MSc, PhD
Norman C. Carlson Professor of Dentistry
Generously given by Dr. G. William Ferguson and friends of Dr. Carlson
Dr. Roperto joined the UNMC College of Dentistry in 2021 as chair of the department of adult restorative dentistry. Previously, he was the interim chair of the comprehensive care department, an associate professor and director of CAD/CAM and operative dentistry at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, from 2013-2021. He also served as an assistant professor in the departments of restorative dentistry at the University of Manitoba – Canada and the University of Ribeirao Preto – Brazil. An accomplished researcher, Dr. Roperto has published over 30 journal articles, two book chapters, and over 40 International Association for Dental Research and American Association for Dental Research abstracts.
Shayla D. Yoachim, PhD
Dr. F. Gene and Rosemary Dixon Faculty Fellow in Excellence in Teaching
Generously given by Mrs. Rosemary Dixon and Floyd G. Dixon, DDS
Dr. Yoachim is an anatomist and associate professor in the department of oral biology. She earned her PhD in genetics, cell biology and anatomy, and completed an anatomy teaching track program at UNMC. She is currently pursuing an EdD in teaching, curriculum and learning. Dr. Yoachim is the director of the college’s Human Anatomy Laboratory. She has been teaching gross anatomy, head & neck anatomy and neuroanatomy to health professional students for the past ten years. Dr. Yoachim is active in both biomedical and educational research with ongoing grant support. She is on the Nebraska Anatomical Board and is the immediate past-chair of ADEA’s Anatomical Sciences section.