An accomplished educator, lecturer, and researcher in the field of dentistry for more than a decade, Dr. Shankargouda Patil has excelled as a professor at Roseman University of Health Sciences’ College of Dental Medicine in Utah since 2022. Wielding 15 years of expertise in dental education and oral oncology, he prides himself on his efforts to enhance public health through research and clinical trial work, as well as inspiring the next generation and giving back to society. He considers teaching and mentoring to be his major passions in life, and actively organizes research mentorship programs for students, fostering an environment where they can engage with him and be guided in their own research endeavors; as a testament to his leadership and impact, many of his students successfully advance into residency programs within dentistry.

Born and raised in India, Dr. Patil embarked on his professional path through determination, hard work, patience, and perseverance. He first earned a Bachelor of Science in dental surgery from the PM Nadagouda Memorial Dental College and Hospital in 2003 and then a master’s in dental surgery and oral and maxillofacial pathology from the Sree Bajali Dental College & Hospital in 2009 before becoming a senior lecturer at KLE Society’s Institute of Dental Sciences in India for three years. He subsequently served as an associate professor of dental sciences at M.S. Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences and then at Jazan University’s College of Dentistry in Saudi Arabia; in the midst of the latter role, he strives to bolster his credentials in the field and attained a PhD in medical biotechnology from the University of Siena. In 2022, equipped with three degrees and certifications in biomedical research, he launched a new career in the United States.

Over the course of his career, Dr. Patil has additionally contributed to dentistry through volunteer work across community outreach programs and numerous written works—including ”Translational Research in Oral Oncology” through Sage Publications and a National Institutes of Health grant for the use of photodynamic therapy on oral cancer—and more than 15,000 citations from researchers worldwide. In recognition of his ongoing journey to advance dental science, he was ranked among the top 2% of scientists across all disciplines and has served as a fellow for such organizations as the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, the International College of Dentists, the Royal College of Pathologists, and the American Dental Education Association. In addition, he’s been connected to the industry through longtime memberships with Sigma Xi, the Scientific Research Honor Society, the International Association of Oral Pathology, the International Association of General Dentistry, and the American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research, among others.

Looking ahead, Dr. Patil envisions a transformative journey over the next five to 10 years, recognizing the significant impact that artificial intelligence and augmented/virtual reality will have on various fields, including dental education. He is currently engaged in developing programs that would integrate these technologies and is eager to deepen his focus in these areas to enhance teaching and learning methodologies in dental education, demonstrating their advantages over traditional approaches. One of his key initiatives is the creation of a virtual reality classroom, which aims to revolutionize the way dental education is delivered. He also wants to continue mentoring students, aspiring to one day become the dean of research and innovation, with a long-term goal of serving as the vice president of research for the university.