2023-24 STEER Fellows

Ashish Gurav is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Orthodontics, University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine (UBSDM). He received PhD in biochemistry and molecular biology at the Augusta University and DMD at the University of Pennsylvania. He completed the advanced education in orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics at the BronxCare Health System in Bronx, NY. He is a diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics. At UBSDM, Dr. Gurav is a co-director for pre-doctoral orthodontic courses and director of advanced orthodontic education courses on orthodontic techniques and craniofacial growth and development. His research interests include digital orthodontics, the role of technology in orthodontic research and education, and craniofacial growth and development.

Robert Schifferle, Professor, Department of Periodontics and Endodontics, UB School of Dental Medicine and Jennifer A. Meka, Director, Medical Education & Educational Research Institute (MEERI); Associate Dean for Medical Education, Jacobs School of Medicine will mentor Dr. Gurav.

Nicole Hinchy is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Oral Diagnostic Sciences at the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine (UBSDM). At UBSDM, she also serves as the Director of Radiology. Her career has included providing care to medically complex and oncologic patients in the hospital setting time in addition to a role as an Attending Dentist in a hospital-based General Practice Residency at Erie County Medical Center.

To help in improving the foundational knowledge in Radiology of students and residents of UBSDM, Dr. Hinchy created a new course in the introduction of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) for the post-graduate programs of several dental disciplines in 2022. She also strives to find new ways to better incorporate Radiologic technologic advancements into the pre-doctorate education to ensure UBSDM graduates have a solid foundation for the rest of their careers.

Dr. Hinchy will be mentored by Dr. Robert E. Cohen, DDS, MS, PhD, Professor and Interim Chair of the Department of Periodontics and Endodontics at the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine and Dr. Jennifer A. Meka, PhD, Associate Dean for Medical Education and Director of Education and Educational Research Institute (MEERI) at the Jacobs School of Medicine at the State University of New York SUNY at Buffalo (UB).

Rubelisa Oliveira is a full time Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Periodontics and Endodontics, School of Dental Medicine, at the University at Buffalo. She holds doctoral degrees in dental medicine and epidemiology, and has clinical specialty training in periodontics. She currently teaches in didactic and clinical courses in periodontics to UB predoctoral and graduate students, and currently is engaged in independent research in the area of health disparities among underserved individuals. She has recently been awarded by Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and will develop a project on barriers to dental care access among adolescents in the Western New York region.

Dr. Yoly Gonzalez-Stucker, Associate Professor and Chair at the Department of Oral Diagnostic Sciences, and Dr. Ekaterina Noyes, Professor & Assoc Dean Translational & Team Science at the Department of Epidemiology and Environmental Health, will mentor Dr. Oliveira.

Isolde Gina Rojas-Rudolph is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Periodontics and Endodontics and a Research Associate Professor in the Department of Oral Biology at the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine. She has a Ph.D. in Oral Biology from The Ohio State University, a DDS from the University of Concepcion, Chile, and is completing a Certificate in Advanced Education in Periodontics from the University at Buffalo.  She is a predoctoral course director and is actively engaged in the improvement of the predoctoral curriculum in Periodontics at UB SDM. Her research interests are in the study of the pathogenesis and innate immune response to Candida albicans infection in the oral cavity using preclinical models.

Dr. Ashu Sharma, PhD, Professor, Oral Biology Department, UB SDM, and Dr. Neal Fleisher, DMD and periodontist, Clinical Professor, Boston University, will mentor her.

Alyssa Tzetzo is a General Dentist in private practice and Clinical Associate Professor of Restorative Dentistry at the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine. During her Advanced Education in General Dentistry Residency, she independently obtained her Masters of Public Health, strengthening her interest in oral healthcare awareness. Dr. Tzetzo serves as a New York State Department of Education approved course provider for Infection Control continuing education at UBSDM as well as for local dental organizations. Additionally, Dr. Tzetzo is an executive board member of the University at Buffalo Dental Alumni Association and Councilor at Large for the NYS Eighth District Dental Society.

Dr. Joseph Gambacorta, DDS, MPH, Associate Dean for Community Engagement and Global Initiatives, University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine and Dr. Stacey Watt, MD, MBA, MHPE, FASA, Interim Chair and Clinical Professor of Anesthesiology, Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences will mentor Dr. Tzetzo.