Paul Jardine announced as Professor of the Year

Headshot of Paul Jardine on a branded background

Paul Jardine, BSc, DUT, PhD, is the 2022 School of Dentistry Century Club Professor of the Year, the school announced Friday, March 3.

Instituted in 1967, the Professor of the Year award recognizes one faculty member each year for their outstanding contributions to the school in the areas of education, research and service. Originally presented at the Star of the North meeting, the award has been announced at Research Day for the past three years.

The award was instituted 55 years ago by Erwin Schaffer, DDS, then-Dean of the School of Dentistry, and remains one of the school’s greatest traditions and the highest honor bestowed on a faculty member.

Each year, the honoree is selected by a committee chaired by the previous year’s award recipient, with faculty representation from each department and student participation from the graduate, dental, dental therapy and dental hygiene programs.

Jardine is a professor in the Division of Basic Sciences, where he studies virus structure and assembly and teaches microbiology. He excels at interdisciplinary teaching and research, making great strides as part of a team that brings together the fields of virology, biochemistry, genetics, structural biology and biophysics.

Jardine is well-respected by students and faculty members. A faculty member on the award committee said, “Not only is Dr. Jardine a distinguished researcher—he is student-centered and well-received by the students. A tremendous example.”

His students agree. One shared, “In his microbiology course, Dr. Jardine is very open to hearing students’ needs for how best to learn. He’s approachable, easy to talk to, and I enjoy every minute I get to work with him.”

Jardine also dedicates himself to service to the school in the areas of governance, advancing health and committee work.

“As a committee member, Jardine has been a staunch advocate for students and student-centered learning,” reflected Dean Keith Mays, DDS, MS, PhD, in his announcement of the award. “Whether serving in an official capacity as leader of faculty, or simply as himself, Dr. Jardine always helps us see the faculty perspective, and the impact that any decision might have on faculty. Dr. Jardine, thank you for all that you have done and all that you continue to do for our school, our students and our community.”

“I am deeply grateful for this recognition, especially because it comes from my colleagues and students,” said Jardine. “I have been blessed throughout my career with excellent mentors, collaborators, trainees, and staff, as well as a supportive family. I take this award not as the end of something but as an important milestone of my ongoing journey to contribute new understanding of the world around us and by doing so provide an opportunity to enrich and improve the lives of those we serve.”

Congratulations to Paul Jardine, BSc, DUT, PhD, the 55th Century Club Professor of the Year.