Dr. Chris Ivanoff

Dr. Ivanoff is currently Professor and Director of Global Outreach at Lincoln Memorial University College of Dental Medicine in Knoxville, TN. He is also Honorary Professor at The Medical University of Sofia Faculty of Dental Medicine in Sofia, Bulgaria; and is conferred with the degree of Doctor Honoris Causa at the Medical University of Plovdiv. He received his B.S. degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Harvard University and his D.D.S. degree at Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine, Cleveland, OH, where he also served as Assistant Professor in the Department of Comprehensive Care soon after graduation. He continued as Associate Professor for the Department of Bioscience Research and Director of Global Outreach at the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry, until his appointment as Director of Global Initiatives at the Office of the Executive Vice Chancellor, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, and Professor and Director of Comprehensive Care at the Missouri School of Dentistry and Oral Health.

Dr. Ivanoff comes from a family of political refugees and immigrated to America in 1968 right before his 8^th birthday. He recently celebrated his 33^rd anniversary with his wife, Lisa, has three children (Athena, Ivan, and Sofiya), and loves his dog, Sasho, a Siberian Husky. Dr. Ivanoff describes himself as a “hands-on” type of guy and enjoy being down in the trenches with his students and patients.  His passions are diverse, and he loves to mentor. Dr. Ivanoff speaks six languages, plays piano accordion, and has traveled abroad extensively. When he is not doing dentistry or teaching, he enjoys landscaping and working around the yard.