Keynote Speakers

Keynote Speakers:

Hai Yao, PhD, is the Ernest R. Norville Endowed Chair and Professor of Bioengineering at Clemson University and Professor of Oral Health Sciences at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC). He serves as the associate department chair for the Clemson-MUSC Joint Bioengineering Program. He is also the PI and director of the NIH Center of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) for Translational Research Improving Musculoskeletal Health (TRIMH) at Clemson and the NIH Dental T32 Research Training Program at MUSC. His research focuses on the biomechanical function, degeneration, and regeneration of musculoskeletal systems, including the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). His lab has established multiscale TMJ models, which integrate joint morphology and kinematics, tissue mechanics, cell metabolism, and genetics, to facilitate earlier diagnosis and management of temporomandibular disorders (TMDs). He served on the committee for the most recent TMD study report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (March 2020, PMID: 32200600). Hai received his PhD in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Miami and his postdoctoral training in Musculoskeletal Bioengineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology.

 

Laura Iwasaki, DDS, MSc, PhD, is Professor and Chair of the Department of Orthodontics at Oregon Health & Science University School of Dentistry. Her research focus is the biomechanics of the human craniomandibular complex with special interests in the TMJ, jaw muscles, and tooth movement. Her responsibilities include clinical and didactic teaching and research supervision in the advanced education, dental and graduate programs. Dr. Iwasaki received her formal education in Canada at the Universities of British Columbia, Alberta and Manitoba. She is a Diplomate of the ABO and has been involved in the clinical practice of orthodontics for several decades.