Our People

Gerry Kugel, DMD, MS, PhD

Dean

Gerard “Gerry” Kugel, DMD, PhD, became dean of the UNMC College of Dentistry in 2023. Formerly, he was associate dean for research and professor of comprehensive care at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine. An expert in clinical research and esthetic dentistry, Dr. Kugel is a fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry and the Academy of Dental Materials.

Dr. Kugel earned his DMD from Tufts University in 1985 and a PhD in dental materials from the University of Siena in 2004. He also holds a master’s in anatomy and cellular biology from Tufts and an executive management certificate from MIT. With over 200 published articles, 300 abstracts, and 400 lectures worldwide, Dr. Kugel is a leading figure in restorative dentistry.

Yun Saksena, BDSc, MMSc, DMD

Associate Dean for Education and Campus Culture

Dr. Saksena works to help each student fulfill their potential and help the college community become better teachers and learners. Before joining UNMC in 2018, Dr. Saksena served as an associate professor and director of predoctoral clinical education at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine in Boston. Her research interests include student learning, teaching, classroom and clinic dynamics, student life, and admissions.

Merlyn Vogt, DDS

Associate Dean for Student Affairs and External Relations

Dr. Vogt joined the college in 1996 as a part-time clinical instructor. He became an assistant dean in 2005 and an associate dean in 2022. During his time as associate dean, Dr. Vogt has advanced the college’s admissions, student affairs, alumni relations, and government relations. He plays a key role in student affairs initiatives and serves as a government relations representative for UNMC.

Sangamesh Gurappa Kumbar, PhD

Associate Dean for Research

Dr. Kumbar’s research focuses on synthesizing and characterizing novel biomaterials for tissue engineering and drug delivery. His laboratory specializes in tissue instructive micro- and nanostructures designed to enhance tissue regeneration and control drug delivery.

As associate dean for research, Dr. Kumbar said collaboration is key to his vision to grow dentistry’s research portfolio.

Dr. Kumbar, a professor in the UNMC Department of Growth and Development, s working on collaborations with the UNMC Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Engineering. He hopes to expand UNMC College of Dentistry collaborations, as well as his own, to other departments at UNMC, UNL, the University of Nebraska at Omaha and throughout the University of Nebraska System.

Jodi Isom, MBA

Assistant Dean for Finance

Ms. Isom oversees the college’s financial and administrative affairs and serves as a member of the college’s leadership team. She joined the College of Dentistry in August 2005 as an office assistant and has since held the roles of accountant, finance administrator, and chief financial officer before being named assistant dean for finance in April 2024.