Satheesh Elangovan

"Apart from helping me financially, this award has strengthened my commitment to dental education. I will be in academics for life," says Satheesh Elangovan, BDS, ScD, DMSc, a 2011 Abram and Sylvia Chasens Teaching and Research Fellow. Dr. Elangovan is currently an Assistant Professor at the University of Iowa College of Dentistry. He is also the AAP Foundation's 2008 Tarrson Regeneration Scholar.

Dr. Elangovan's research is currently focused on developing novel biomaterials for bone and periodontal regeneration. He is also working on a few clinical research projects including prospective trials and retrospective studies. Apart from research, Dr. Elangovan directs a course for second year dental students and a seminar type course for residents, and also lectures in multiple other courses for first and third year dental students. "Teaching is awesome," says Dr. Elangovan, "every day of the week I'm doing different things that excite me."

Through his academic work, Dr. Elangovan hopes to enhance evidence-based periodontics and contribute to periodontology through tissue engineering research. He is grateful to the Chasens family for the help this award has provided. He says, "Dr. Chasens is one of my role models, and it is very meaningful for me to receive this award the year we lost Dr. Chasens. I will do my best to honor his legacy through my work."