Melissa Karby named Director of Research Administration at the School of Dentistry

Ann Arbor, Mich., Sept. 16, 2025 – A University of Michigan staff member who has received awards for her support of research at the university is returning to the School of Dentistry as Director of Research Administration.

Melissa Karby, a Certified Research Administrator who previously worked at the dental school from 2016 to 2020, re-joined the school’s Office of Research on August 25.

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Dr. Vesa Kaartinen, the dental school’s Associate Dean for Research, noted that Karby has more than 23 years of experience in research administration. She previously held roles in Shared Services and at the U-M Medical School before coming to the dental school as the Contracts and Grants Manager in November 2016, then as research director from 2018 to 2020. Most recently, Karby worked in the university’s Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR) as Associate Director for Research Administration.

As the dental school’s Director of Research Administration, Karby works with Kaartinen and other leadership to identify research initiatives and explore ways to improve and enhance services. The position oversees the strategic direction and operational effectiveness of the Office of Research, working with the Oral Health Sciences PhD and MS programs, the Human and Clinical Research Center, research facilities, research cores, the Grants and Contracts Service Center, and research compliance for the school.

Earlier this year Karby was one of 12 staff members from across the university who received awards for their outstanding service and leadership in advancing research, scholarship and creative practice. Karby received the OVPR’s Research Leadership Recognition Award, part of an awards program that celebrates the invaluable contributions of staff who play a crucial role in catalyzing, supporting and safeguarding U-M research activity.

It was the second such research award Karby has received. In 2019, OVPR presented her with its Research Administrator Recognition Award that honors exemplary service to the research community over a number of years.

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The University of Michigan School of Dentistry is one of the nation’s leading dental schools engaged in oral healthcare education, research, patient care and community service.  General dental care clinics and specialty clinics providing advanced treatment enable the school to offer dental services and programs to patients throughout Michigan.  Classroom and clinic instruction prepare future dentists, dental specialists and dental hygienists for practice in private offices, hospitals, academia and public agencies.  Research seeks to discover and apply new knowledge that can help patients worldwide.  For more information about the School of Dentistry, visit us on the Web at: www.dent.umich.edu.  Email: dentistry.communications@umich.edu, or (734) 615-1971.