Dr. Wang trained at Creighton University and completed a 2-year AEGD residency at the University of Missouri Kansas City. She transitioned from private practice and public health into academia prior to LMU, joining LMU from its inception. At LMU, she has held roles including Implant Center Director, Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, Associate Dean of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), overseeing preclinical sciences, and currently serves as the Dean & Chief Academic Officer, the College of Dental Medicine.
Dr. Ammaar Abidi graduated with a dual degree (D.D.S./Ph.D.) from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, College of Dentistry and Pharmacy in Memphis, TN. He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Memphis, earning a BSc in Biology with a minor in Chemistry. Dr. Abidi worked at the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry for several years in the Department of Biosciences and General Dentistry. In January 2023, Dr. Abidi joined Lincoln Memorial University College of Dental Medicine (LMU-CDM).
Dr. Karima Ait-Aissa earned her degree in Biological Engineering from the University of Bejaia, Algeria, followed by a Master's and PhD in Life Sciences in Nancy, France. She then completed postdoctoral training at the Medical College of Wisconsin, where her research focused on mitochondrial dysfunction in microvascular disease, uncovering novel pathways involved in this condition. In 2018, Dr. Ait-Aissa joined the University of Iowa as a faculty member, where she pioneered research on innovative targeted drug delivery systems using nanotechnology during radiation therapy.
Susan J Baker, DMD, D-ABFO, attended dental school at the Medical College of Georgia School of Dentistry. Following graduation, she completed a residency, specializing in Periodontics, also at MCG. Following a successful career in north Atlanta with her own periodontal practice, Dr. Baker pursued her interest in Forensic Odontology, completing a Fellowship in Forensic Dentistry at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. In 2022, she joined the faculty of LMU CDM full-time and also serves the residents of East Tennessee by doing forensic dentistry work at the Knox County Regional Forensic Center. Dr. Baker also serves as a consultant to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Fulton County Morgue, consulting on NCIC coding for the FBI. Her volunteer efforts in the area have been with Miles for Smiles and RAM clinics.
Professor Simran Kapur Flagg has more than 30 years of experience in dentistry, with over two decades dedicated to dental hygiene, clinical practice, education, and leadership. She began her career in dentistry in 1992 as a dental assistant before earning her Associate of Science and Bachelor of Applied Science in Dental Hygiene. Her commitment to lifelong learning led her to earn a Master of Science in Management with a focus on organizational leadership and a Doctor of Education (EdD), with her doctoral research focusing on how dental hygiene educators learn and integrate technology into their teaching.
Throughout her career, Professor Flagg has practiced as a dental hygienist and held leadership roles in both clinical and academic settings. She previously served as Director of Clinical Services at Citrus Dental Sleep Center, where she coordinated oral appliance therapy for obstructive sleep apnea and supported interdisciplinary patient care. Before joining Lincoln Memorial University, Professor Flagg served as an Assistant Professor at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, where she taught dental embryology, histology, anatomy, radiology, pain and anxiety control, and clinical dental hygiene. Her academic experience extends beyond the classroom and includes student mentorship, curriculum development, accreditation activities, and advising student professional organizations.
Building on her clinical, educational, and leadership experience, Professor Flagg now serves as Program Director of Dental Hygiene at Lincoln Memorial University College of Dental Medicine. In this role, she leads the program’s academic and clinical operations, supports faculty and student success, advances program development and quality improvement, and promotes community engagement. She is committed to preparing ethical, compassionate, and clinically competent dental hygienists who are equipped to serve diverse communities and contribute meaningfully to the profession.
Her professional interests include mentorship, simulation-based learning, educational technology, scholarly writing, and innovative approaches to dental education. Her work supports LMU’s mission to increase access to quality healthcare and to serve underserved populations, particularly in rural Appalachia.
Outside of academia, Professor Flagg enjoys spending time with her family and exploring the natural beauty of East Tennessee.
Dr. Kassan earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry from the Lebanese University in Lebanon, where he built a strong foundation in cellular and molecular biology. Dr. Kassan then pursued a Master's and Ph.D. in Pharmacology and Physiology at Salamanca University in Spain, exploring the intricate mechanisms of drug actions and physiological responses within the body.
Dr. Kassan's academic journey took him to renowned institutions in the USA, including Tulane University, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Iowa University, and UT Memphis, where he engaged in collaborative research projects and gained valuable insights into diverse research methodologies and scientific approaches. Dr. Kassan’s research was funded by the American Heart Association (AHA) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). In August 2022, Dr. Kassan joined Lincoln Memorial University-College of Dental Medicine.
Dr. Mark A. Lackey earned his Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from the University of Kentucky and began his professional career in Hamilton, Ohio, where he practiced general dentistry and developed a strong foundation in comprehensive patient care. He later joined the faculty at the University of Louisiana School of Dentistry in New Orleans, combining clinical practice with teaching and early academic mentorship.
Dr. Lackey subsequently served for nearly two decades as a general dentist with Saudi Aramco in Dhahran, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where he practiced in a multidisciplinary clinical environment and held leadership responsibilities in a large healthcare system.
Upon returning to the United States, he continued his academic career in Tennessee, serving on the faculty in Knoxville and later at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis. His career has also included private practice in Florida and additional service in Memphis and Knoxville, providing a diverse blend of academic, clinical, and administrative experience.
More recently, Dr. Lackey served as Associate Professor and Interim Chair of Restorative Dentistry at UTHSC for the last 6 years. His teaching focuses on advanced treatment planning, operative dentistry, and evidence-based clinical care. His scholarly interests include restorative materials, minimally invasive esthetic techniques, digital dentistry, forensic dentistry, and dental sleep medicine. He remains committed to mentoring students and advancing comprehensive, patient-centered dental education.
Shaza Mardini received her DDS degree from Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry in 2001. She began a specialty residency in Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology in 2002 and graduated with an M.S. and certification in Diagnostic Sciences and Radiology. In 2006, Dr. Mardini became board-certified by the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology (ABOMR) and served as past president, Vice President, and director of the board. Dr. Mardini joined Lincoln Memorial University-College of Dental Medicine in April of 2022 teaching the inaugural class of dental students and dental hygiene students topics in radiology.
Dr. John N. Williams is a retired (2024) professor and dean emeritus of Indiana University School of Dentistry. He served as the President of Transylvania University, Lexington, KY for 2019-20 and the Dean of the Indiana University School of Dentistry (2010-19). Before this time, he served as dean at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Dentistry (2005–2010) and the University of Louisville School of Dentistry (1999-2005). Before his deanships, he served as Associate Dean for Educational Programs at Louisville for over seven years. He has also completed a three-year term as Vice President of the American Dental Education Association Council of Deans (2009-2012) focusing on national educational policy. Most recently, he has served as a Commissioner for the Commission of Dental Accreditation (2010-2014), (Chair, 2013-14. Before his academic pursuits, he was in private dental practice in Louisville, KY. Dr. Williams received his bachelor’s degree in biology from Transylvania University (Lexington, KY) in 1974, a DMD degree in 1980 (University of Louisville), and an MBA degree in 1987 also from the University of Louisville. He maintains scholarly interests in dental practice management, oral health workforce, dental curriculum assessment, and digital dentistry/instructional technologies. He is a Fellow of the American College of Dentists, Fellow of the Pierre Fauchard Academy and Fellow of the International College of Dentists. He is currently a member of two private higher education boards of trustees. In his spare time, he is an avid boater and outdoors enthusiast. In 2021-22, he completed a 6,047-mile circumnavigation around the US inland waterways.
Since 2023, he has served as a national Coach for the ADEA Council of Deans Fellowship program. In addition, he provides comprehensive consulting services on the creating dental education programs, faculty development/recruitment, and national accreditation. He is a Senior Consultant for the Academy of Academic Leadership (AAL) in Atlanta, GA.