Evanthia Lalla is a tenured professor at the Columbia University College of Dental Medicine in New York City. Prof. Lalla received dental degrees from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece and from Columbia University. She completed her specialty training and a Master of Science in Periodontics at Columbia, has been a full-time member of its faculty for more than 25 years, and served as the College’s inaugural senior associate dean for faculty development.Prof. Lalla completed the Hedwig van Ameringen executive leadership in academic medicine fellowship and served as president and councilor of the Periodontal Research Group of the International Association for Dental Research. Her research has primarily focused on periodontitis and its link with diabetes and atherosclerosis, and has been supported by the National Institutes of Health, industry and foundations.She has published in high impact medical and dental journals, lectured internationally, and is the recipient of prestigious awards.