Dr. No-Hee Park, Dean Emeritus and Distinguished Professor, Announces Retirement

No-Hee Park, D.M.D., Ph.D., the longest-serving dean in UCLA School of Dentistry history and the first Korean-American appointed dean of a U.S. university, will retire effective January 1, 2026.

A distinguished professor with joint appointments at the School of Dentistry and the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Dr. Park has made enduring contributions to the UCLA and global scientific communities as an educator, researcher, and administrator. His leadership from 1998 to 2016 marked a period of significant transformation that helped position UCLA Dentistry among the world’s premier dental schools.

“Serving UCLA for more than four decades has been the privilege of my life,” said Dr. Park. “As dean for 18 years, the most meaningful part of my career was helping the School of Dentistry grow into a nationally recognized leader in education, research, patient care, and community service. This transformation was made possible only through the dedication of our faculty, staff, students, alumni, and donors.”

Administrator

Dr. Park’s 18-year deanship – the second-longest among UCLA’s schools and colleges –provided the stability needed to implement long-term strategic goals. When he assumed the role in 1998, the School had no endowed chairs, modest research funding, and limited infrastructure. By the time he returned to full-time teaching and research in 2016, UCLA Dentistry had undergone a remarkable evolution:

• Annual extramural research funding increased from roughly $3 million to $25 million.
• Ten endowed chairs had been established to support and retain top faculty.
• Endowment and gift commitments grew fivefold.
• Student scholarship support increased 16-fold.

Dr. Park managed a budget approaching $90 million and a community comprising approximately 400 faculty, 450 students, 100 residents, and 200 staff. He guided the development and modernization of major research and clinical facilities – including two world-class research centers focused on head and neck oncology and reconstructive biotechnology, respectively – and strengthened interdisciplinary partnerships across UCLA Health Sciences.

He also championed innovations in the D.D.S. student experience, including the creation of the Dean’s Leadership Institute (now the Board of Counselors’ Leadership Institute) and the Apollonian Society.

Educator

Over four decades, Dr. Park distinguished himself as a dedicated educator and mentor, training more than 100 students, residents, and postdoctoral fellows; many of them now hold leadership roles across the globe.

He led a major reform of the D.D.S. curriculum, transitioning from discipline-based instruction to an integrated model emphasizing problem solving, alignment of basic and clinical sciences, early interdisciplinary exposure, and patient-centered care.

His mentorship earned national recognition, including the 2022 Irwin D. Mandel Distinguished Mentoring Award from the American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research.

“I am especially grateful to the many students and trainees who placed their trust in me; their passion and accomplishments remain my most cherished legacy,” Dr. Park said.

Researcher

An internationally recognized leader in molecular oncology, Dr. Park has authored more than 220 peer-reviewed publications cited nearly 13,000 times (per Google Scholar), including three books, and secured over $70 million in research funding. His work has:

• Defined the role of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) in oral cancer.
• Documented the combined carcinogenic effects of tobacco compounds and herpes simplex virus.
• Developed widely used in vitro models for studying oral cancer and cellular aging.
• Advanced understanding of the connections between oral health and systemic diseases.

He has received numerous honors, including the William J. Gies Award, the IADR Distinguished Scientist Award, election as a Distinguished Scientist Award from the International Association for Dental Research (2001), Award for Outstanding

 Achievement—Dental Educator by the American Dental Education Association Gies Foundation (2010); Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (2012), and selection as the 2017 Korean National Laureate in Science and Technology.

Following retirement, Dr. Park will continue contributing to grant-funded research through his branch of The Shapiro Family Laboratory of Viral Oncology and Aging Research.

“As a scientist, I have been fortunate to pursue fundamental questions that have captivated me since the start of my career,” he said. “The opportunity to mentor the next generation has brought me enduring joy and deep fulfillment.”

Looking Back, Looking Forward

Dr. Park earned two dental degrees and a periodontology certificate from Seoul National University before emigrating to the U.S. to pursue a Ph.D. in Pharmacology at the Medical College of Georgia, graduating in 1978. He later completed a certificate in Virology (1980) and a D.M.D. (1982) at Harvard University – where he also served as a faculty member – before joining UCLA in 1984.

His recently released autobiography, Turning Points: Moments That Shaped Me, reflects on his five decades in higher education and his early life in war-torn South Korea.

“As I transition into retirement, my heart is filled with gratitude,” he said. “I am deeply thankful for my colleagues and friends at UCLA who have enriched my life for so many years. Although I am stepping down from my academic roles, UCLA will forever be my home.”

Words from Dr. Park’s Peers

“Dr. Park’s visionary leadership fundamentally reshaped the trajectory of the UCLA School of Dentistry, from academic excellence to scientific discovery to community impact. We are all beneficiaries of the strong foundation he built, one defined by innovation, integrity, and an unwavering belief in the power of education to improve lives. On behalf of our entire community, I extend my deepest gratitude and warmest congratulations to Dr. Park on his extraordinary career and well-earned retirement.”
— Dr. Paul H. Krebsbach, Dean and Professor, UCLA School of Dentistry

“Dean Park elevated our School’s standing to the very top in research, academics, and clinical studies. Your pursuit of excellence, dedication to higher education, and scientific contributions are truly inspirational. Please enjoy your family, painting, golfing, and more as you transition into retirement!”
— Dr. Margaret Pan Quon, D.D.S. ’68, former Board of Counselors member

"It is an honor to recognize the extraordinary contributions of Dr. No-Hee Park, former Dean of the UCLA School of Dentistry, upon his retirement from the faculty. His visionary leadership as dean significantly elevated the school's global stature in education, research, and patient care, leaving an indelible mark. Dr. Park's groundbreaking research, particularly in oral cancer and tumor biology, has advanced the field and improved countless lives. I and his many colleagues celebrate his distinguished career and profound impact on the entire UCLA community."
— Dr. Charles N. Bertolami, Herman Robert Fox Dean, NYU College of Dentistry; former Chair of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, UCLA School of Dentistry (1989 to 1995)