Effie Ioannidou, DMD, MDSc, will become the next chair of the Department of Orofacial Sciences on July 31. She succeeds Caroline Shiboski, who announced last year that she would step down from the role.
Effie joins UCSF after more than two decades at University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine. During her tenure, her roles included professor and interim chair of the Division of Periodontology, director of the Dental Clinical Research Center. Effie served as the associate editor of JDR Clinical and Translational Research until June 2023. Currently, she is the editor-in-chief of the Journal of Periodontology and Clinical Advances in Periodontics, journals of the American Academy of Periodontology. She is also president-elect of the American Association of Dental, Oral and Craniofacial Research (AADOCR) for 2023 – 24.
“I am excited to become a member of the UCSF Dentistry community. I have tremendous respect for the leadership and faculty of the school and the university. I am thrilled to be part of a top-tier research school with exceptional educational and clinical programs and emphasis on diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. Dean Reddy, his team, as well as the faculty, have been very welcoming and supportive, which I anticipate will make for a smooth transition,” Effie said.
Effie’s research centers on the anti-inflammatory effect of periodontal treatment in systemically healthy and medically compromised populations, including those with chronic kidney disease and end-stage renal disease. She has also conducted considerable scholarly work on the diversity and equity issues present in health sciences research and academia. Effie serves as one of the co-PIs in the NIDCR-funded AADOCR Mind the Future with focus on increasing diversity the oral and craniofacial research workforce.
A former Bay Area resident, she is excited to return to San Francisco.
“What can I say about San Francisco? It is one of the most beautiful cities in the world! I am so happy to be back! Also, I am happy to move from the Connecticut suburban to the Californian urban lifestyle. I grew up in a city in Greece, so I have missed the city vibe and the walk to a restaurant or a café. I’m looking forward to enjoying this again,” she said. “And of course, I am looking forward to getting to know all of my new colleagues at UCSF and building the strong relationships that will form the basis of our success as a team,” she added.
