Dr. Anastasia Kelekis-Cholakis, dean of Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry, is pleased to announce the following changes to her leadership team, effective Jan. 1, 2025. Dean Cholakis wishes to thank Dr. John Perry, associate dean (academic), and Dr. Raj Bhullar, associate dean (research), for their exceptional service and contributions to the college.
Dr. Vanessa Swain appointed associate dean (academic)
Dr. Vanessa Swain, associate professor of restorative dentistry at the Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry, obtained her doctor of dental medicine and bachelor of science in dentistry from UM in 1999. She received her certificate in prosthodontics and her master of science from the University of Minnesota in 2003. Dr. Swain has been the department head for restorative dentistry at UM since 2017. She has served on numerous college and university committees, including as chair of the Committee for Selection of Dentistry and the Ad Hoc Curriculum Committee. She has received more than 10 teaching awards, including two UM Students’ Teacher Recognition Reception awards. She was also awarded the 2003 Stanley D. Tylman Memorial Research Award from the American Academy of Fixed Prosthodontics. In addition to her work at the college, Dr. Swain is a consultant with the Manitoba Center for Craniofacial Differences.
Dr. Prashen Chelikani appointed associate dean (research)
Dr. Prashen Chelikani, professor of oral biology at the Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry and director of grants development at Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, leads the Manitoba Chemosensory Biology Research Group. He is also a scientist at the Children’s Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba. Dr. Chelikani is a UM alum, earning his PhD in microbiology in 2004 and completing his postdoctoral training as an American Heart Association postdoctoral fellow at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. His research interests are taste biology, host-microbe interactions and associated pathophysiology in oral, autoimmune and airway health and disease. As an independent researcher, he has obtained $10 million in peer-reviewed research funding from local, national and international agencies.
Dr. Trenna Reeve continues role as associate dean (clinics)
Dr. Trenna Reeve, assistant professor of restorative dentistry at the Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry, obtained her doctor of dental medicine degree from the University of Saskatchewan and went on to complete a two-year advanced general dentistry residency with the United States Army at Fort Bragg North Carolina. Dr. Reeve received her American Board of General Dentistry certification in 2007 and has been awarded the United States Army Commendation Medal, Canadian Meritorious Service Medal, Canadian Forces Joint Operations Command – Commanders Commendation, as well as the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. She has served as an associate department head in the restorative department at UM from 2017 to 2019 and as associate dean (clinical) from 2019 to 2024. Nationally, she is the Chair of the Associate Deans Clinical Committee of ACFD, and she serves as a forensic odontology consultant for the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner of Manitoba and the Canadian Armed Forces Royal Canadian Dental Corps.
Dr. Aaron Kim appointed department head of restorative dentistry on an interim basis
Dr. Aaron Kim, associate professor of restorative dentistry at the Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry, received his bachelor of science in 1982 and doctor of dental medicine in 1987 from UM. He started his teaching career in 1988 as a part-time instructor in the restorative department, transitioning to serve as full-time faculty. Dr. Kim was appointed director of clinics and served as the associate dean (clinics), a position he held until 2019. Over the years, Dr. Kim has supervised and assisted numerous undergraduate students with the bachelor of science research program. He is a member of the American Academy of Fixed Prosthodontics, and his service to the Academy includes serving as a Credential Committee member, a Publicity and Communications Committee member and a board of director. Dr. Kim serves on several committees, including the Manitoba Dental Association’s (MDA) Dental Student Mentorship program and the MDA Registration and Licensing Bylaw Review Ad Hoc Committee.
Dr. Raj Bhullar appointed director of graduate programs
Dr. Raj Bhullar, professor of oral biology at the Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry, has been the associate dean (research) since 2012 and will finish his term in Dec. 2024. Previously he served as the head of the department of oral biology from 2001 to 2011. During his tenure as the associate dean (research) and a complement of excellent researchers, the college saw a significant increase in tri-council funding support. He also helped guide renovations of several labs in the college. Nationally, Dr. Bhullar chaired the Research Affairs Committee of the Association of Canadian Faculties of Dentistry since 2020, is a member of the steering committee of the Network for Canadian Oral Health and Research since 2012 and was a member of the committee that developed the National Oral Health Research Strategy in 2024. Dr. Bhullar’s research interests are in signal transduction, with a focus on the link between G protein-coupled receptors and G protein function.