“Dr. Martínez Mier’s entire career has demonstrated an integrated approach to oral health and cariology research, education, and service through global engagement,” said Dean Murdoch-Kinch. “She brings a strong vision, leadership experience, and a demonstrated commitment to globalization that will help advance the School’s mission in her new role.”

Dr. Martínez is professor and chair of the Department of Cariology, Operative Dentistry, and Dental Public Health. She earned a master’s degree in preventive dentistry at IUSD in 1995, followed by a PhD in Dental Sciences in 2000. She has become an international expert in fluoride measurement, leading several NIH-funded teams that have developed international gold standard methods to measure safe levels of fluoride exposure.

Much of Dr. Martínez Mier’s career has been devoted to improving global health. Along with Drs. Karen Yoder and Tim Carlson, she developed IUSD’s Global Service Learning program. She has conducted research studies in Mexico, Canada, Colombia, Thailand, Iran, Kenya, the Dominican Republic, and Brazil. For more than a decade, she directed the Binational Cross-Cultural Health Enhancement Center, which fostered multidisciplinary research collaborations on issues impacting the health status of Latinos in Indiana and communities in Mexico from which they emigrated.

IU has recognized Dr. Martínez Mier with numerous awards, including the John W. Ryan Award for Distinguished Contributions to International Programs and Studies and the IU Bicentennial Medal. Dr. Martínez Mier recently co-authored her 100th publication.

Dr. Martínez Mier will continue to serve as chair of the Department of Cariology, Operative Dentistry, and Dental Public Health through this alignment of her work in preventive dentistry and global health.

“I am looking forward to focusing on global health education and research and will nurture our existing partnerships, while seeking to develop new ones,” Dr. Martínez Mier said.