Planning Committee

2023-2024 Continuing Education Committee
Each year, the Continuing Education Committee meets in Chicago to plan the program for the Insight Track meeting. The CEC reviews feedback and suggestions from past meeting attendees to begin developing the various courses, all centered around one main topic or theme.

		Matthew Malek, D.D.S., CEC Chair Dr. Matthew Malek received his certificate in the specialty of endodontics from NYU Dentistry in 2011. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Endodontics and currently the Director of the Advanced Education Program in Endodontics at NYU and practices endodontics in private practice in Manhattan, New York. He is involved with several research projects which focus on pain, Regenerative Endodontics, and External Invasive Resorption of the root which he has the most interest. He lectures frequently to local, national, and international communities on the topic of resorption. Dr. Malek is the faculty winner of the Foundation of Endodontics Spring 2022 Competitive Research Proposal for his research on External Invasive Resorption. Dr. Malek is the author/co-author of several peer-review articles and chapters in prominent endodontic journals and textbooks.
		Omar Abusteit, B.D.S., M.S.D., Distance Learning Representative  Dr. Omar Abusteit was born and raised in Egypt where he earned his dental degree from Cairo University and practiced general dentistry for a few years before moving to the United States to pursue postgraduate studies in endodontics. He received fellowships in endodontics from UCLA School of Dentistry and Medical University of South Carolina College of Dental Medicine. Later, he completed his endodontic specialty training and earned a Master of Science in Dentistry from the Medical University of South Carolina where he also served as the chief endodontic resident. Dr. Abusteit is a Diplomate of the American Board of Endodontics, and he is currently serving as an Assistant Professor in the Division of Endodontics at the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry. He maintains a private practice limited to endodontics in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Dr. Abusteit has published several papers in international journals, and has also lectured and presented on various endodontic topics in conferences, meetings, and study clubs nationally and internationally.
		Amber Ather, D.D.S. Dr. Amber Ather earned his B.D.S and M.D.S (Conservative Dentistry & Endodontics) from Manipal University, India, in 2007 and 2011 respectively. Thereafter, he served as a full time Assistant Professor (Endodontics) at his alma mater in India. Dr. Ather then moved to Colorado, wherein he received his D.D.S in 2015, following which he worked as a general dentist at non-profit community health centers in Texas. He received his Certificate in Endodontics from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio in 2020 and M.S. degree in 2021 with research focused on pulp biology for which he received a grant from the Foundation for Endodontics. Dr. Ather currently serves as an Assistant Professor and Director of Research at the Department of Endodontics, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry. His areas of research include pulp biology, pain and surgical endodontics. He is on the Scientific Advisory Board for Journal of Endodontics and is an Associate Editor for BMC Oral Health journal. Dr. Ather is committed to a long-term career as a clinician-scientist. In his free time, he likes to travel with family and enjoys hiking and photography.
		Bettina Basrani, D.D.S., M.S.D, Ph.D. Dr. Bettina Basrani is Tenured Associate Professor and Director, MSc Program in Endodontics at the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Dr Basrani received her DDS degree from the University of Buenos Aires in 1989 and a Specialty Diploma in Endodontics and PhD from Maimonides University in Buenos Aires, Argentina. A long-time educator and researcher, she began her teaching career at the University of Buenos Aires. In 2000, she moved to Canada to serve as Chair of the Endodontic Program at Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia. In 2004, she moved to Toronto, where she has continued her academic and clinical work. Internationally recognized as a leading authority in endodontics and as an excellent lecturer, effectively combining clinical and scientific information, Dr. Basrani has received many teacher awards throughout her career and has international courses and lectures, over 35 peer-reviewed scientific publications, two textbooks and several textbook chapters, and abstracts to her credit. She serves as reviewer for several endodontic journals. Dr. Basrani is a member of many endodontics societies around the world.
		Lorel Burns, D.D.S., Board Liaison Dr. Lorel Burns is a clinician-investigator and assistant professor at New York University College of Dentistry. She is a Diplomate of the American Board of Endodontics. Dr. Burns earned her DDS degree at NYU College of Dentistry, completed her specialty training in Endodontics at the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine and was awarded her master’s degree by NYU School of Medicine. In 2019, she was selected as the American Association of Endodontists (AAE) Foundation’s Endodontic Educator Fellow. In 2022, she recognized with the American Dental Education Association (ADEA) Junior Faculty Award. Dr. Burns’ research interests include endodontic treatment outcomes, access to dental care, clinician decision-making, and dental education. Her research on social media use in dentistry has been published in the Journal of Dental Education and the Journal of Medical Internet Research, Formative Research. Dr. Burns maintains part-time private practice limited to Endodontics in New York, USA.
		Carolina Cucco, D.D.S. Dr. Carolina Cucco was born and raised in Brazil. She got her D.D.S degree from the University of Passo Fundo in 2009 and an MS (2011) and PhD (2015) in Endodontics from the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul. During her PhD studies, she had the opportunity to develop her research in pulp regeneration at the Angiogenesis Lab at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, under the supervision of Dr. Jacques Nör. After concluding her PhD, she returned to Ann Arbor and joined the Advanced Specialty Education Program in Endodontics at the University of Michigan, where she got a MS degree in 2018. Dr. Cucco worked as a full time professor at the University of Iowa (2018-2022) and University of Detroit Mercy (2022-2023), teaching Endodontics at both the predoctoral and post-graduate levels. Dr. Cucco currently practices as an endodontist at the Root Canal Specialty Associates in southeastern Michigan. In her free time, Dr. Cucco enjoys cooking and spending time with family.
		Nadia Chugal, D.D.S., M.S. Dr. Nadia Chugal is Clinical Professor and Director of Postgraduate Residency Program in Endodontics at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA). She received her DDS degree as well as MS in Oral Biology and MPH in Public Health from UCLA. Subsequently, she completed hospital-based General Practice Residency at IMMC in Chicago and received Certificate in Endodontics from the University of Connecticut. She was a research fellow and faculty at University of Connecticut until she joined UCLA as faculty in 1997. Dr. Chugal is Diplomate of the American Board of Endodontics and currently maintains practice limited to endodontics at the UCLA Faculty Group Dental Practice (FGDP). Dr. Chugal is known for her expertise in program administration, innovation and excellence in education, leadership and professionalism. She has held leadership positions in local, national and international professional organizations. Dr. Chugal is the past president of the Southern California Academy of Endodontics, (SCAE) and has been Secretary and Treasurer for the Pulp Biology Group (PBRG) of the International Association for Dental Research (IADR) since 2005.She also serves on the advisory board of the Journal of Endodontics. Her research interests are endodontic treatment outcomes and improved prognosis for our patients.
		Courtney Jackson, D.D.S., Resident Member Dr. Courtney Jackson was born and raised in New Orleans, La and attended college at Xavier University of Louisiana. Dr. Jackson completed her DDS degree in 2014 at Howard University College of Dentistry. In 2015, she completed a one-year Advanced Education General Dentistry (AEGD) residency at Chase Brexton Healthcare in Baltimore, MD an affiliate of NYU Langone. Dr. Jackson practiced as a General Dentist in the DC area for five years. In 2021, Dr. Jackson completed a second-year General Practice Residency (GPR) with a concentration in endodontics at Montefiore Hospital in the Bronx, NY. Dr. Jackson is currently in her third and final year at University of Maryland School of Dentistry post-graduate endodontic program. While in residency she has received the AAE/ Endo1 Partners’ Resident Award at AAE’22 (Phoenix) and AAE’23 (Chicago) for placing top ten in table clinic presentations. Dr. Jackson was awarded the inaugural Mohammad Behnia Scholarship for outstanding academic achievement in endodontics. Recently, Dr. Jackson has been nominated to speak during the Applying to PG Endodontics: Experiences and Lessons Learned session for the New Voices Track at AAE24 in Los Angeles, California as a panelist. Dr. Jackson is excited to be a part of the best specialty and CEC committee, but she is most excited about her future as a practicing endodontist.
		Katie Kickertz, D.D.S., M.S.   Dr. Katie Kickertz grew up outside of Chicago in Rockford, Ill.. She graduated with a B.S. in Health Sciences from Purdue University and completed her D.D.S. degree from Indiana University School of Dentistry in 2012. After working as a general dentist for four years, she completed her specialty certificate in endodontics and M.S. in 2018 from the University of Minnesota. She previously worked as an endodontist in the Minneapolis metropolitan area and in Frederick, Md., prior to relocating to Charlotte, N.C. She is the owner of Premier Endodontics of SouthPark in Charlotte. She is a Board-certified endodontist and Diplomate to the American Board of Endodontics. Outside of dentistry, Dr. Kickertz volunteers as an official with U.S. Figure Skating. She was a competitive figure skater growing up in the Midwest. She enjoys cooking, traveling and spending time exercising at Pure Barre, as well as spending time with her husband, Dan, and dog, Yuri.
		Roberta Pileggi, D.D.S., M.S., ADA CERP Representative Dr. Roberta Pileggi received a D.D.S. degree at the University of Paulista in Brazil. She completed both a Master’s degree and a Certificate in Endodontics at the University of Maryland College of Dental Surgery. In 2005, Dr. Pileggi completed a fellowship in education at Baylor College of Medicine and the University of Texas at Houston. She received numerous faculty awards including the Edward Osetek Award given by the American Association of Endodontists. She was officially appointed Director of the Graduate Endodontic Program on July 1, 2009, and was appointed Chair of the Endodontics department effective January 1, 2010. Dr. Pileggi am a Diplomate of the American Board of Endodontics.
		Mansoor Safder, D.D.S. Dr. Mansoor Safder is a Kansas City native and attended the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) for his undergraduate studies where he triple majored in Biology, Chemistry, and Spanish. He stayed at UMKC for dental school where he served as the director for the university affiliated free health clinic leading efforts in providing free dental care to an underserved population. In recognition of his efforts, he was the recipient of the American Association of Public Health Dentistry Award. Additionally, Dr. Safder was one of 10 dental students nationally to receive an award from the National Institute of Dental Craniofacial Research to conduct an independent research study in Bethesda. Dr. Safder is currently in his second year of his endodontic residency at the University of Texas at Houston and will be graduating in August of 2023. After graduation, Dr. Safder will be returning to Kansas City to practice and to cheer on his favorite sports team. Go Chiefs!
		Mark Schachman, D.M.D., Distance Learning Representative Dr. Mark Schachman earned his degree from Rutgers School of Dental Medicine. His fellowship in endodontics is from New York University, College of Dentistry. He is a member of the American Board of Endodontics.
		Kedy Shen, D.D.S., Distance Learning Representative   Dr. Kedy Shen is a private practice endodontist in Portland, Oregon. He attended Oregon State University in Corvallis, Oregon, earning a bachelor’s degree in Microbiology. Dr. Shen received his Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from Roseman University of Health Sciences in South Jordan, Utah, and his certificate in Endodontics from Temple University. He is a board eligible endodontist who serves on the Continuing Education Committee. In his spare time, Dr. Shen is an avid tennis player and enjoys rooting for the Oregon State Beavers, traveling and spending time with his Golden Retriever Ed.
		Anne Williamson, D.M.D., Distance Learning Representative  Dr. Anne Williamson joined the faculty at the University of Iowa in 2003. Prior to her specialty training, she was a private practicing general dentist in Nebraska for 13 years. From 2006 to 2001, Dr. Williamson served as the Director of Advanced Education in Endodontics at the University of Iowa. Since July of 2001, she has been the Director, of the Advanced Education in Endodontics program at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, College of Dentistry.