Michael David Colvard

Michael David Colvard is a Professor of Oral Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences and Director of the Dental Medicine Responder Training Office (DMRT) at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) College of Dentistry. His work focuses on integrating dental professionals into emergency/disaster planning and first responder teams through policy and education research, while also advancing medical anthropology studies of ancient dental practices using imaging and spectroscopy technologies.

• Dental Degree and Periodontics Certificate from Loyola University
• Master’s in Theological Studies from Seabury-Western Episcopal Theological Seminary
• Master’s in Science from UIC
• Ph.D. in Theology and Medical Anthropology from the Graduate Theological Foundation’s Oxford program
• Diploma in Oral Medicine and Fellowship in Dental Surgery from the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh

Colvard’s research bridges two domains: (1) Emergency and Disaster Planning in dentistry, where he collaborates with federal, state, and local agencies to update policies for integrating dental responders into medical examiner teams, and (2) Medical Anthropology, applying nondestructive imaging and spectroscopy to analyze ancient/modern teeth and craniofacial tissues. His anthropology work uncovers historical uses of plant residues and geological materials in dental repairs and pain control, informing the evolution of modern oral care.

In scientific awards, Colvard has earned a

• Fellowship in Dental Surgery from the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh