Dr Petros Papagerakis appointed Head of the Melbourne Dental School

A widely published academic, Dr Papagerakis’s research focuses on rare dental genetic diseases, dental tissue regeneration, circadian medicine and precision oral health.

Currently living in Canada, serving as the Dean of the Faculty of Dental Medicine, Laval University, Quebec City, Dr Papagerakis brings a wealth of leadership experience to the role. Prior to this he was Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Affairs at the College of Dentistry, University of Saskatchewan.

Graduating from the School of Dentistry, Aristotle University, Thessaloniki, Greece, Dr Papagerakis completed postgraduate training at the University of Paris, in Paediatric and Preventive Dentistry, Paediatric Oral Pathology, a Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences, a Masters in Oral Biology, and his PhD in Cellular and Developmental Biology. He also completed post-doctoral training in Craniofacial Molecular Genetics at the University of Texas, USA, funded by the National Institutes of Health. He also held a Senior Research Centennial Enhancement Chair position in the field of One Health.

Dr Papagerakis enjoys travelling, reading, hiking, swimming, biking, all types of art and most of all spending time with his family. He is also a musician and graduated from the Municipal Conservatory of Music in Paris with a degree in double bass, which he still enjoys playing.

The Faculty would like to extend its gratitude to Professor Rita Hardiman, who has been acting Head of School since August 2024.

Dr Papagerakis will join the Faculty in September 2025.