Renée E. Duff

Renée E. Duff is a Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry’s Department of Biologic and Materials Sciences & Prosthodontics. She will assume the role of Senior Associate Dean starting June 1, advising Dean Jacques Nör on strategic planning and overseeing HR and compliance teams. A University of Michigan alumna, Duff earned her bachelor’s (1991), DDS (1996), and master’s in prosthodontics (2005) from the same institution. She transitioned from part-time faculty (1997–2004) to full-time in 2004, teaching foundational prosthodontic courses to pre-doctoral and graduate students. Her administrative leadership includes serving as Associate Dean for Students since 2013, directing the Office of Student Services.

Duff’s research interests focus on prosthodontics, emphasizing holistic patient care, functional restoration (dentures, implants), and the intersection of art and science in dental practice. She highlights the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and lifelong learning in dentistry, noting the unique skills required: precision, critical thinking, ethical practice, and empathy. The School of Dentistry’s Pathways Program and Community-Based Collaborative Care initiatives, which she champions, allow students to tailor education to their interests and engage in meaningful patient outreach.

Duff’s career spans clinical practice, academia, and administration. After dental school, she worked in private practice with Dr. Carl Woolley before returning to the university as a part-time faculty member under mentor Dr. Andrew Koran. She values the dental school’s vibrant academic environment, interprofessional education with medicine, pharmacy, and nursing, and its commitment to student resilience and growth. Her leadership in student services reflects her dedication to supporting dental students’ complex needs, including balancing personal responsibilities with rigorous training.