Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Faculty

Dr. Felix Amarista is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and an active member of AAOMS, the American Society of Temporomandibular Joint Surgeons, IAOMS, and both the Texas and Southwest Societies of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.

Originally from Caracas, Venezuela, Dr. Amarista earned his D.D.S. with honors from the Central University of Venezuela (UCV) in 2011. He completed a one-year internship at Dr. Domingo Luciani Hospital in Caracas before pursuing his OMFS residency at the Central Military Hospital – Nueva Granada Military University in Bogotá, Colombia, graduating in 2018. During his training, he received multiple distinctions, including “Researcher of the Year” (2016, 2017), “Best Resident of First Specialization,” and “Best OMS Resident in Latin America” by ALACIBU.

Dr. Amarista joined UT Health San Antonio in 2018 to continue his education in the U.S. and completed a U.S.-based OMFS residency in 2021. He is the recipient of the IAOMS NextGen Outstanding Young Surgeon Award and the 2022 Daniel M. Laskin Award for best manuscript in the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.

His clinical interests include TMJ pathology with a focus on advanced TMJ arthroscopy, minimally invasive orthognathic surgery, maxillofacial trauma, benign pathology, and complex dentoalveolar surgery, including dental implants. He is passionate about education, research, and advancing patient care through academic surgery.

His other interests include playing soccer, running, and attending CrossFit sessions, and he enjoys spending time with his daughter and wife, who is also an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon.

Education

• 2021 - Residency - Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery - UT Health San Antonio
• 2018 - Residency - Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery - Universidad Militar Nueva Granada
• 2011 - D.D.S - Universidad Central de Venezuela

Highlights

Appointments

• 2021 - Assistant Professor/Clinical - UT Health San Antonio

Board Certifications

Dr. Andrea Bordoy was born and raised in Caracas, Venezuela. She received her dental degree at Santa María University in 2009.

After finishing dental school, she immediately began working as an oral and maxillofacial surgical assistant for a year with a renowned Oral Surgeon in her country. After this experience, she had no doubt that she wanted to pursue the specialty.

She completed an internship in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at “Dr. Domingo Luciani” Hospital in Caracas, Venezuela. In 2014 she moved to Bogota, Colombia and finished an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery residency at National University of Colombia. During her residency, Dr. Bordoy was awarded a scholarship and was selected to be a Teaching Assistant at the Oral Surgery undergraduate clinic, which allowed her to be involved in the training of dental students.

After residency, she moved to the US and has been part of the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at UT Health San Antonio since 2018.

Dr. Bordoy is passionate about training the new generations of dentists and Oral and Maxillofacial surgeons. Her clinical interests include maxillofacial trauma, dentoalveolar surgery, TMJ, orthognathic surgery among others. She is married to Dr. Felix Amarista who is also an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon.

Outside of OMS, Dr. Bordoy can be found enjoying the outdoors. She enjoys running, hiking, and time at the gym, as well as spending time with her family and friends.

Education

• 2018 - Postdoctoral Training - Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery - Universidad Nacional de Colombia
• 2009 - D.D.S - Dentistry - Universidad Santa Maria

Appointments

• 2020 - Assistant Professor/Clinical - UT Health San Antonio
• 2021-present - Physician - University Hospital System San Antonio Tx

Clinical Interests
clinical interests are in maxillofacial trauma, dentoalveolar surgery, TMJ, orthognathic surgery among others.

Col (Ret) Wendell A. Edgin, DDS, FICD, FACD.  Dr. Wendell A. Edgin is a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon with an extensive career in military, academic, and private practice settings. A native of the Texas Panhandle, he earned dual Baccalaureate degrees in Zoology and Microbiology from Texas Tech University before obtaining his Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) from The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston.

Upon entering the United States Air Force, Dr. Edgin completed his residency in oral and maxillofacial surgery at Wilford Hall USAF Medical Center. Over a distinguished 21-year military career at 6 bases, he achieved the rank of Colonel and ultimately served as Chairman of the Department and Director of the Graduate Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Program at Wilford Hall. Additionally, he was appointed Consultant in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery to the Surgeon General of the U.S. Air Force.

Following his military service, Dr. Edgin spent five years teaching graduate oral and maxillofacial surgery at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UTHSCSA). In 2006, he transitioned to private practice, joining Alamo Maxillofacial Surgical Associates in San Antonio, where he provided full-scope oral and maxillofacial surgical care in a group practice setting for 16 years. In 2022, he returned to the UTHSCSA faculty as a volunteer to continue his commitment to education and surgical excellence.

A Diplomate of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Dr. Edgin has authored and lectured extensively on a broad range of topics both nationally and internationally. He is a Life Fellow of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, the American College of Dentists, and the International College of Dentists. Additionally, he served on the Examination Committee for the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery for eight years. Dr. Edgin has also held leadership positions as Past President of the San Antonio District Dental Society, the Texas Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, and the Southwest Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.

Education

• 1990 - Residency - Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery - Wilford Hall USAF Medical Center, Lackland AFB, TX
• 1981 - Residency - General Practice - Ehrling Bergquist USAF Hospital, Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ
• 1980 - DDS - Doctor of Dental Surgery - University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston

Training

• Fellowship: Life Fellow of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, the American College of Dentists and the International College of Dentists.

Board Certifications

Dr. Nathan Jeske's lab conducts research on signaling mechanisms that mediate inflammatory pain and analgesia. Over 100 million Americans suffer from pain annually, and understanding how this sensation graduates to a chronic state, as well as how to treat it efficaciously, are the primary research goals of the Jeske lab. Research in the Jeske lab focuses on biochemical signaling molecules and pathways unique to pain-sensing neurons in the periphery that can be targeted to reduce pain, increase analgesia, and improve the quality of life for pain patients. Researchers combine molecular, biochemical, pharmacological, physiological, and behavioral studies with opportunities for human clinical expertise to provide comprehensive approaches to some of our most important issues related to pain and analgesia in our current society.

Education

• 2006 - Postdoctoral Fellowship - Pain Physiology and Signaling - UTHSCSA, Department of Endodontics
• 2003 - PhD - Pharmacology - UTHSCSA
• 1999 - BS - Molecular Biology & Chemistry, Double Major - Texas Lutheran University

Appointments

• 3/2012 - Assistant Professor - UTHSCSA, Department of PhysiologySan Antonio
• 10/2008 - Assistant Professor - UTHSCSA, Department of PharmacologySan Antonio
• 1/2007 - Institute Faculty - UTHSCSA, Sam and Ann Barshop InstituteSan Antonio
• 11/2006 - Director of Research, Assistant Professor - UTHSCSA, Department of Oral & Maxillofacial SurgerySan Antonio

Research Interests

Our research focuses on the function and regulation of sensory modalities including pain, itch, and gentle touch. Special objectives in our research are to understand the cellular and molecular mechanisms of pain by studying neural circuit activities evoked by pain in basal and disease conditions.

Inflammation and nerve injury can result in chronic pain that can seriously challenge daily activities. Pain is mainly mediated by a subset of primary sensory neurons known as nociceptors in Dorsal Root Ganglia (DRG) and Trigeminal Ganglia (TG). How DRG neurons function at a population level under physiological and pathological conditions is not known. Therefore, monitoring the activities of primary nociceptive neurons and axons is crucial to understanding pain mechanisms.

Our research projects include 1) identifying novel plasticity mechanisms underlying the transition from acute to chronic pain, 2) examining the mechanism of Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD), 3) determining the mechanism of ongoing and evoked pain, 4) characterizing the contributions of central terminal hypersensitivity of DRG neurons to chronic pain, and 5) uncovering the mechanisms by which damages in skin nerve terminals contributes to chronic pain conditions

Diseases associated with our research

Temporomandibular joint disorder, migraine, diabetic neuropathy, neuropathic pain arising from nerve injury, burns and chemotherapeutic drugs, pruritis

Field of Study

Neurobiology and Neuroscience of pain and itch

Scientific Techniques used

We routinely utilize various techniques including mouse genetics, behavioral assays, electrophysiology, biochemistry, molecular biology, pharmacology, immunohistochemistry, and cell culture models in our laboratory. Molecular biology including gene manipulation techniques such as siRNA knockdown and overexpression systems, mouse behavioral assays, mouse genetics, in vivo imaging and electrophysiological recording in primary sensory neurons, spinal cord and brain are very important aspects of the science of understanding and studying sensory biology.

In vivo imaging is one of the ways pain is depicted. Pain signal detection, transmission and modulation can be detected within the cell bodies that reside in DRG and TG. Enabling the expression of a genetically-encoded Ca2+ sensitive indicator (GCaMP) into the DRG and TG neurons has allowed us to successfully detect the primary sensory neuronal activity in the peripheral and central terminals, and their cell bodies as well. We have developed an imaging technique which allows us to simultaneously monitor the activation of >1,800 neurons in the DRG and >2,800 neurons in the TG. By combining the powerful techniques of in vivo multiphoton confocal microscopic imaging, in vivo microscopic miniscope imaging, and electrophysiological recordings in live and freely behaving animals, we have brought cutting edge technology into the pain research field.

In collaboration with many groups in the world, we have acquired and developed powerful transgenic animal tools to study pain and itch and brought those tools to UTHSCSA with us. We now can visualize specific types of primary sensory neurons in live animals.

Field of Study: Neuroscience Sub Field of Study: Pain Specific Field of Study: Chronic pain, chronic Itch Relevant Conditions: Chronic pain, neuropathic pain, inflammation and its pain, temporomandibular joint disorder and its pain, migraine, diabetic neuropathy, neuropathic pain arising from nerve injury, burns and chemotherapeutic drugs or chemotherapy-induced pain, alcohol withdrawal-induced hypersensitivity and pain, arthritis, pruritis Research Techniques: Mouse genetics, behavioral assays, electrophysiology, biochemistry, pharmacogenetics, molecular biology (including siRNA knockdown, in situ hybridization), immunohistochemistry, cell culture models, viral-mediated cell transformation and transduction, Electrophysiology (in vitro and in vivo), Imaging Confocal Microscopy (including in vitro and in vivo imaging). In vitro and in vivo Multiphoton imaging in DRG, TG, spinal cord, and brain. In vivo imaging of different types of cells in freely moving animals.

Education

• 2010 - Ph.D. - Neuroscience - Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
• 2001 - M.S. - Biochemistry - Kangwon National University, South Korea
• 1999 - B.S. - Biochemistry - Kangwon National University, South Korea

Appointments

• 04/2019- Present - Tenure-track Associate Professor - University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
• 06/2019-04/2019 - Principal Investigator of Research - Shriners Hospitals for Children-Galveston
• 06/2015-04/2019 - Tenure-track Assistant Professor - University of Texas Medical Branch, Neuroscience and Cell Biology & Anatomy, Galveston, TX

Present - Post-doctoral fellow supervision - University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio

Expertise

Mouse genetics, behavioral assays, electrophysiology, biochemistry, pharmacogenetics, molecular biology (including siRNA knockdown, in situ hybridization), immunohistochemistry, cell culture models, viral-mediated cell transformation and transduction

Electrophysiology (in vitro and in vivo)

Imaging Confocal Microscopy (including in vitro and in vivo imaging). In vitro and in vivo Multiphoton imaging in DRG, TG, spinal cord, and brain. In vivo imaging of different types of cells in freely moving animals.

Institutional

Education

• 2010 - Residency - Pontificia Javeriana University
• 2005 - Clinical Fellowship - Hospital da Penitencia
• 2004 - Internship - Hospital Dr. Luis Razetti
• 2002 - DDS - Universidad Gran Mariscal de Ayacucho

Appointments

• 1/2019 - Assistant Professor/Clinical - UT HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER, Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, SAN ANTONIO

Dr. Masri is a Board Certified Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon. He was born in Jerusalem, originally from Palestine. He relocated to the United States in 2010. He attended dental school at New York University and graduated with high honors. Dr. Masri was inducted into the Omega Kappa Upsilon Honor Society then, pursued residency in Oral and Maxillofacial surgery at Louisiana State University Health Science Center in Shreveport, where he also received a medical degree and completed an internship in general surgery. During residency, Dr. Masri developed an interest in cleft and craniofacial surgery, he went on and completed a fellowship in pediatric craniomaxillofacial surgery at Arnold Palmer Hospital in Orlando, Florida. During the fellowship, Dr. Masri received advanced education and training in all aspects of cleft and craniofacial surgery, including cleft lip and cleft palate repair, bone reconstruction, orthognathic surgery, pediatric trauma and pathology, as well as craniofacial surgery.

In his free time, Dr. Masri enjoys spending time with his family and friends. He also enjoys watching and playing soccer.

Dr. Sreenivasan Narayanan assumed the role of Director for the Pre-doctoral Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery program and holds the position of Associate Clinical Professor within the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. He joined The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio faculty in September 2023.
In the past 25 years, Dr. Narayanan has committed a substantial part of his professional life to full -time teaching as a faculty member at dental Schools worldwide, spanning across notable universities such as The University of Hong Kong in Hong Kong; King Saud University in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio; University of Detroit Mercy in Detroit, Michigan; and the University of Missouri -Kansas City in Kansas City, Missouri.
Dr. Narayanan has been actively involved in the design and advancement of innovative teaching approaches within the predoctoral Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery curriculum at various dental schools across the United States. He has introduced several innovative methodologies including simulation-based learning and video-based learning aimed at equipping the predoctoral dental students with essential skills necessary for clinical practice.
The simulation exercises are in the field of exodontia as well as in the Management of Medical emergencies in the dental office. Dr. Narayanan believes that the use of surgical simulation models will enhance the proper understanding of surgical principles and technical skills for the dental students, and thereby minimize intra-operative complications and improve surgical outcomes.
Dr. Narayanan has earned distinguished teaching accolades from dental schools throughout the United States. His most recent recognition came in 2022 when he was honored with the “Elmer F Pierson Excellence in Teaching” award at the University of Missouri Kansas City, Kansas City, Missouri.

Education

• 2022 - DDS - Dentistry - University of Missouri Kansas City
• 1998 - MDS - Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery - The University of Hong Kong
• 1994 - BDS - Dentistry - The Tamil Nadu Dr. MGR Medical University

Training

• 1998 - Residency - Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery - The University of Hong Kong

Appointments

• 09/2023 - Director of Pre-Doctoral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery - University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, School of Dentistry, San Antonio, TX
• 01/2016-08/2023 - Director of Pre-Doctoral Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery - University of Missouri - Kansas City School of Dentistry, Kansas City, MO
• 08/2010-12/2015 - Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery - University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry, Detroit, MI
• 03/2008-07/2010 - Director of Pre-Doctoral Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Assistant Professor, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery - Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine, Cleveland, OH

Dr. Stone is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio beginning in September of 2023. He is Board Certified and a Diplomate of the American Board of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery and holds a Certificate of Added Qualification in Pediatric Craniomaxillofacial Surgery.

Dr. Stone was born and raised in New Mexico. After exposure to the fields of dentistry and medicine, he pursued training at the University of Missouri-Kansas City in the field of dentistry. Here he served as class president and was subsequently selected for the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Residency. While in Kansas City, he attained a medical degree and completed a year of general surgery training. He obtained his certificate in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in 2015.

During his residency, Dr. Stone was able to train with the local Pediatric Craniomaxillofacial Surgery team. During this time, he developed a love for working with pediatric patients and the challenge that cleft and craniofacial surgeries brought on. This led to him pursuing and ultimately attaining the opportunity to train at the Pediatric Craniomaxillofacial Surgery Fellowship at the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children in Orlando, Florida under the direction of Drs. Ramon Ruiz and Brent Golden. This opportunity allowed Dr. Stone to achieve advanced training in the surgical treatment of cleft lip and palate, craniofacial anomalies including craniosynostosis, as well as pediatric oral & maxillofacial surgery and other childhood related conditions.

After completion of his training, Dr. Stone went on to work at UT Southwestern Medical Center Dallas. Here he served as director of Pediatric Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Assistant Program Director. His primary duties were as member of the CMC Cleft and Craniofacial Team and various committees throughout the hospital system.

Education

• 2016 - Fellowship - Pediatric Craniomaxillofacial Surgery - Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children, Orlando, FL
• 2015 - Residency - Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery - University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, MO
• 2013 - One Year Certificate - General Surgery - University of Missouri-Kansas City - Kansas City, MO
• 2012 - MD - School of Medicine - University of Missouri-Kansas City - Kansas City, MO
• 2009 - DDS - School of Dentistry - University of Missouri-Kansas City - Kansas City, MO

Highlights

Appointments

• 12/1/2017 - 08/31/2023 - Assistant Professor - Universtiy of Texas Southwestern
• 7/11/2016 - 10/24/2017 - Associate Professor - Southwest Oral and Maxillofacitlay Surgery

Board Certifications