Felix J. Amarista

Felix J. Amarista is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. He specializes in complex surgical procedures, including temporomandibular joint (TMJ) arthroscopy, minimally invasive orthognathic surgery, and maxillofacial trauma management. Dr. Amarista holds multiple prestigious awards, including the IAOMS NextGen Outstanding Young Surgeon Award and the Daniel M. Laskin Award for his contributions to the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.

Dr. Amarista earned his DDS from the Central University of Venezuela (UCV) in 2011, followed by an internship at Dr. Domingo Luciani Hospital and a residency in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Bogota Central Military Hospital. His research has been recognized with awards such as 'Researcher of the Year' (2016-2017) and 'Best Resident of First Specialization.' He joined UT Health San Antonio in 2018 and completed his residency there in 2021.

His research interests span TMJ pathology, surgical innovation, and patient care improvement. He has authored numerous peer-reviewed articles, focusing on topics like TMJ replacement techniques, orthognathic surgery accuracy, and minimally invasive approaches. Dr. Amarista is also committed to teaching and academic advancement within his field.

• Awards: IAOMS NextGen Award, Daniel M. Laskin Award, ALACIBU's 'Best Resident in Latin America.'
• Clinical Focus: Advanced TMJ surgery, orthognathic techniques, and maxillofacial trauma.

Outside academia, he enjoys soccer, running, and spending time with his wife, who is also an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon.