Dr. Ana Bedran-Russo named Chicago Dental Society Clinical Professor
Introduction
Dr. Ana Bedran-Russo, DDS, MS, PhD, associate dean for research and head of oral biology, has been named to the Chicago Dental Society (CDS) Clinical Professorship in Dentistry, in recognition of her exceptional contributions to education, research, scholarship, clinical practice, and professional service.
Throughout more than 20 years of dedicated service to our college, university, and the dental profession, Dr. Bedran Russo has distinguished herself as an outstanding educator, internationally recognized researcher, accomplished clinician-scientist, and visionary leader. She previously served as Professor and Chair at the Marquette University College of Dentistry, where she also led strategic initiatives in technological innovation and developed a new predoctoral clinical competency assessment model.
As an educator and mentor, Dr. Bedran Russo has had a profound impact on generations of students and trainees, teaching in both predoctoral and graduate programs, directing the T32 MOST Program, mentoring dozens of graduate students, residents, postdoctoral fellows, visiting scholars, and predoctoral students. Her scholarly accomplishments include more than 165 peer-reviewed publications, four book chapters, a patent application, and sustained interdisciplinary collaborations. Her internationally recognized research on dental biomaterials and the biomechanics of dental tissues has been supported continuously by the National Institutes of Health, foundations, and industry partners, advancing both scientific discovery and patient care.
Dr. Bedran-Russo's influence extends well beyond the classroom and laboratory through her distinguished leadership and service to the profession. She currently serves as President of the Academy of Operative Dentistry, and is past Treasurer of the American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research, and past President of the Chicago Association for Dental Research, and holds editorial leadership roles with several premier dental journals, including JADA and JADAFS.
During the past 5 years she received several awards, including the Alan Davis SCADA Achievement Award (2026), Crain’s Chicago Business’ Notable Women in STEM (2023), Dr. Stephen Bayne Mid-Career Research Award, Dental Materials Group, International Association for Dental Research (DMG-IADR) (2023), Distinguished Female Mentor Award, Women in Sciences Network, International Association for Dental Research (WISN-IADR) (2023) and the Way Klingler Senior Research Award – Marquette University (2021).
This named professorship is a fitting recognition of her extraordinary career and enduring commitment to advancing the science and practice of dentistry.