Dr. Lillie Cholakis has joined the Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry as a faculty member. She is a Canadian board-certified and U.S. board-eligible pediatric dentist with a strong interdisciplinary background in behavioural science and clinical care. She holds a bachelor of arts in psychology from the University of Winnipeg and earned her doctor of dental surgery from the New York University College of Dentistry.
Following dental school, Dr. Cholakis completed a one-year general practice residency at the Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg, where she received advanced training in hospital-based dentistry and the care of medically complex patients.
She went on to complete her specialty training in pediatric dentistry at Boston University, developing expertise in comprehensive oral health care for infants, children and adolescents, including those with special health-care needs and developmental disabilities.
Dr. Nalia Gurgel joined the Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry in September and is a full-time faculty member in the restorative dentistry department. She graduated from dental school in 2003 and completed a master’s degree in prosthodontics in 2010 in Brazil.
Dr. Gurgel earned her PhD in rehabilitation sciences in 2023 from the University of Ottawa and is a licensed general practitioner in Manitoba. Dr. Gurgel is pleased to support students in didactic teaching, laboratory activities and undergraduate clinics.
Dr. Tamiris Souza has been hired as a research associate in the lab of Dr. Ayesha Saleem, associate professor of oral biology. Souza previously held a Res MB funded post-doctoral fellowship position in Saleem’s lab.
NEW CLINICAL SUPPORT STAFF
Angelika Ballesteros, dental assistant, Clinical Support Services (Nov. 12)
Andrew Dimaapi, dental assistant, Clinical Support Services (Aug. 11)
Anthony Dimaapi, dental assistant, Clinical Support Services (Sept. 15)
Marysuzzeth Macalintal, dental assistant, Clinical Support Services (Oct. 14)
Connor Mark, OHAF patient care coordinator, Clinical Support Services (Sept. 24)
Athena Monayo, patient care coordinator, Clinical Support Services (Sept. 8)
Ann Monzon, patient care coordinator, Dr. Sam Bordern Periodontology Clinic (Dec. 15)
Shyam Pankhania, finance assistant, Clinical Support Services (Sept. 22)
Nipa Thanki, office administrator, Clinical Support Services (Oct. 1)
STAFFING UPDATES FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF DENTAL DIAGNOSTIC AND SURGICAL SCIENCES
Dr. Adnan Shah, department head and graduate program director of oral and maxillofacial surgery, will be on administrative leave from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026.
During Dr. Shah’s absence:
- Dr. Vimi Mutalik will serve as acting department head for the department of dental diagnostic and surgical sciences.
- The graduate program director role will be shared as follows:
- Dr. R. Elgazzar will serve from July 1, 2025, to December 31, 2025.
- Dr. C. Dale will serve from January 1, 2026, to June 30, 2026.
Dr. Chrysi Stavropoulou, program director, graduate periodontic program will be on maternity leave from August 18, 2025, to July 1, 2026.
During Dr. Stavropoulou’s absence, Dr. C. Sgarbanti will serve as acting program director of the graduate periodontic program.