Nyla Balakrishnan

Dr. Nyla Balakrishnan is an Assistant Professor and Program Director for SCOPE II (Clinical Outreach) at the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine’s Department of Dental Public Health. She teaches predoctoral students, directs didactic courses, and advises DMD/MPH dual-degree students. Her research focuses on addressing oral health disparities in underserved populations, access to care, and workforce issues.

Dr. Balakrishnan serves on the school's ad-hoc admission committee and is faculty advisor for the South Asian Student Society. At the state level, she participates in the Pennsylvania Coalition of Oral Health’s Internal Operations Committee and has held officer positions in the American Dental Education Association.

Her recent publications primarily explore gynecological oncology and oral health in vulnerable populations, indicating interdisciplinary expertise in both surgical oncology and public health dentistry.