E. Dianne Rekow, D.D.S., Ph.D.

Dr. E. Dianne Rekow was a distinguished dental scholar, academic leader, and engineer whose work helped shape modern thinking at the intersection of dentistry, technology, and systems-based health. A former Senior Scholar of the Santa Fe Group, she brought intellectual rigor, clarity, and a deep commitment to science-driven decision-making to every initiative she touched.

Dr. Rekow served as Executive Dean of the King’s College London Dental Institute and was a Fellow of King’s College London. Prior to that, she held multiple senior leadership roles at New York University, including Senior Vice Provost for Engineering and Technology and Chair of the Department of Basic Science and Craniofacial Biology. Her career also included academic appointments at the Universities of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Maryland at Baltimore, and Minnesota. Across these roles, she was known for bridging disciplines and applying engineering principles to advance dental education, research, and clinical practice.

Her research, largely supported by the National Institutes of Health, focused on integrating engineering, digital systems, and biomedical innovation to improve oral health outcomes. After her formal retirement, Dr. Rekow remained deeply engaged in professional service, dedicating her time to helping colleagues and communities better understand and apply emerging technologies in oral and systemic health.

Within the Santa Fe Group, Dr. Rekow played a critical role during the COVID-19 pandemic, helping establish the organization as a trusted source of clear, accurate, and timely scientific information. Her incisive curiosity, meticulous attention to detail, and ability to synthesize complex ideas elevated the Group’s work and challenged her peers to think more broadly and more precisely. Her legacy within the Santa Fe Group is one of intellectual generosity, fearless inquiry, and an unwavering commitment to improving lives through better oral health.