University of Florida College of Dentistry faculty members, Roger Fillingim, Ph.D., and Marcio Guelmann, D.D.S., were promoted by the university effective July 1, 2014, and James Pettigrew, D.M.D., who retires on June 30, 2014, was appointed an associate professor emeritus.
Roger Fillingim, who joined the college in 2000, was promoted to distinguished professor. Fillingim is a tenured professor in the Department of Community Dentistry and Behavioral Science where the research mission is primarily focused on public health, health disparities, and basic science pain research.
“Roger is the lead pain researcher in the department and college and probably within the university. He is considered among the world leaders in pain research and many of the other pain faculty at UF were recruited through his efforts. In addition to his highly productive and scholarly commitment to research, he also makes significant contributions to our teaching programs and is a model of service to the community at large,” said Boyd Robinson, D.D.S., M.Ed, interim dean.
Marcio Guelmann, chair of the UF Department of Pediatric Dentistry, was promoted to professor with tenure. He played an integral role in establishing the college’s NCEF Pediatric Dental Center in Naples which substantially changed access-to-care opportunities for under-served children in the area. The center, a state-of-the-art facility, also serves as a site for a new pediatric residency program with an extensive educational component.
“Marcio’s service to pediatric dental patients and his teaching skills are both beyond excellent; he consistently receives compliments on his skills, leadership and dedication to the profession and is also an active researcher,” Robinson said. “He is an outstanding academician and a great leader with a stellar national and international reputation. The college is fortunate to have him on our faculty and leadership team.”
An associate professor in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Diagnostic Sciences, James Pettigrew, has been with the college since 1987 and also currently holds a dual appointment with the UF College of Medicine. During his tenure with UF, Jim has had a major impact in all three of the colleges missions – teaching, research and service. He enjoys working with the college’s DMD students and residents and, in retirement, plans to continue to work with the college as an advisor for research projects and curriculum changes, and will continue to support the teleradiology program.
“We are honored and privileged that he will continue his service with us post-retirement and his emeritus status appointment is certainly a well-deserved token of recognition for his years of service, loyalty and dedication to the college and university,” Robinson said.