Drs. Luciano Andrada, Amirreza Ghassemi, and Rafael Siqueira attended the School of Dentistry’s first annual new faculty retreat on Aug. 19, 2021. They were greeted by Interim Dean Clara Spatafore. New faculty, across all departments, enjoyed hearing about a number of topics including the use of technology in teaching, how to get involved in clinical research and an introduction to course directorship.

Please meet the newest members of our “perio family.” We are eager to see these well-trained periodontists, experienced practitioners, and devoted educators continue to develop.

Luciano Caldeira De Andrada, D.D.S., M.S.

What is your educational background and professional experience?

Originally from Brazil, I earned my first D.D.S. from Federal University of Santa Catarina (1999) and my second D.D.S. from University of Detroit Mercy, School of Dentistry (2018). I was a research assistant at The Forsyth Institute, Department of Applied Oral Sciences (2011-2013). I received my certificate in periodontology and M.M.Sc. in oral biology from Harvard School of Dental Medicine (2016).

In Brazil, I maintained a private practice in general dentistry (2000-2008). I also practiced in Michigan as a periodontist (2018-2021). Prior to coming to VCU, I was on faculty at the University of Detroit Mercy, School of Dentistry in the Department of Clinical Dentistry (2019-2021).

What are your professional interests?

I am focused on undergraduate education. I enjoy being in the clinic with dental students to support their growth as they become independent practitioners. While a research assistant at the Forsyth Institute, I worked in the field of inflammation resolution.

What are your personal interests?

I enjoy listening to music; my favorite artists/bands include Elton John, The Who, and Queen. My family and I enjoy traveling and being outdoors. We especially like the beach on a beautiful  summer day. I live in Glen Allen, Virginia, with my wife and son, a freshman at Deep Run High School. My wife, Ana Cristina Andrada, an endodontist, is a full-time faculty member also at VCU.

What do you like about the Richmond area?

My wife and I enjoy attending football games at Deep Run High School and watching our son, Gustavo, play in the marching band. One of our favorite places in Richmond is the James River Park. We look forward to exploring Virginia’s historical sites.

What is your educational background and professional experience? 

In Iran, I received my D.D.S. from Kerman University of Medical Sciences, College of Dentistry (2010). I attended University of California, Los Angeles, School of Dentistry for a one-year program in advanced implantology (2013-2014). I earned a certificate in periodontology and M.S. in dentistry from Saint Louis University, Center for Advanced Dental Education (2015-2018).

I’ve practiced dentistry as a general practitioner (2010-2013) and as a periodontist (2018-present). I was a full-time faculty member at Southern Illinois University, School of Dental Medicine (2018-2021) until my arrival at VCU in June. I’ve been a diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology since 2019.

What are your professional interests?

My interests include both undergraduate and graduate education. I enjoy providing didactic and clinical instruction. While teaching is my passion, research has also been an inseparable part of my academic life. My main research projects are improving the clinical performance of dental implants by studying new surface modifications and novel materials in implant dentistry. 

What are your personal interests?

A perk of being married to a dentist is talking about dentistry every day, which we both enjoy! In our spare time, my wife, Ghazal, and I also enjoy watching movies, hiking, and exploring new places. We absolutely love getting to know different cultures and traditions, and of course trying different foods. 

What do you like about the Richmond area? 

Ghazal and I have enjoyed Richmond thus far with its rich history and remarkable diversity. We have visited only a handful of places, but we have a long list of places to go such as National Battlefield Park, Virginia House, Riverfront Canal Walk, Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, and Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.

Rafael Amorim Cavalcanti De Siqueira, D.D.S., M.S., Ph.D.

What is your educational background and professional experience?

The majority of my education took place in Brazil. I earned my D.D.S. from University of Pernambuco, College of Dentistry (2010), M.S. in Implantology from Latin American Institute of Dental Research and Education (2013), and Ph.D. from Federal University of Pernambuco (2018). I earned a certificate and M.S. in Periodontology from the University of Michigan, School of Dentistry (2021).

In Brazil, I maintained a part-time private practice (2011-2018). I taught at Facipe College, Department of Periodontics (2015-2018) and Tavares Vieira Institute, Specialization Course in Implantology (2014-2017). I am actively pursuing diplomate status of the American Board of Periodontology.   

What are your professional interests?

I am interested in contributing to the advancement of health through education and discovery. I love to teach at both the undergraduate and graduate levels and to conduct research. Clinical research areas such as digital dentistry, prevention, and treatment of peri-implant diseases are my focus.

What are your personal interests?

I am a food lover and a big sports fan. I enjoy new experiences and different cultures. Attending major sports events is often an opportunity to combine some of my passions. I could cite memorable moments at the Miami Open Tennis Final (2017) between Rafael Nadal versus Roger Federer (two of the greatest tennis players of all time) or the Union of European Football Association Champion League Final in Italy (2016), or the FIFA Soccer World Cup in Brazil (2014). These adventures expose one to new places, different types of people and language, and opens the mind. I am lucky that my lovely wife, Renata Siqueira, is a great partner for any new adventure. 

What do you like about the Richmond area? I’ve resumed taking tennis lessons and enjoy running. A nice place to run is along the trails of the James River and Brown’s Island. Richmond is full of options for food lovers, and so far, ZZQ bbq, Lemaire, and Sabai are the favorite among some of the many recommendations Renata and I received. The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and Maymont Park are places we love visiting. We look forward to exploring more restaurants, visiting the museums and historic buildings, and seeing the beautiful views of Virginia’s countryside and wineries in the fall. I also look forward to visiting the town of Bedford and Liberty High School where I went as an exchange student and concluded my senior year. Seventeen years later, moving back to Virginia, felt like I was coming back “home.”