News

Ostrow School of Dentistry Mourns Dr. Robert Avakian, 84

Author

Ostrow Communications

Posted

01 Jul 13

Robert K. Avakian, an alumnus, former faculty member, and supporter of the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC, passed away July 1, 2013 at the age of 84.
Above: Robert Avakian ’50, DDS ’54 (center) receives a custom USC cane from Dean Avishai Sadan and Scott Adishian ’75, DDS ’79, PROS ’82 during the 2011 Ostrow School of Dentistry Homecoming Dinner.

Born January 24, 1929, Avakian received his Bachelor of Arts degree from USC in 1950 and his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in 1954. Shortly after graduation, he joined the Ostrow School of Dentistry faculty as an instructor in operative dentistry; many students described him as an outstanding, demanding educator and mentor. He spent over 25 years teaching at the School, and he also treated patients in his private practice in Torrance, Calif.

Outside of his duties as an instructor, Avakian remained heavily involved in supporting and advocating for the Ostrow School of Dentistry. He was a member of the committee that assembled and edited an extensive book of historical information published in 1997 to commemorate the School’s centennial anniversary. He served as president of the Century Club and Dental Alumni Association, was a Presidential Member of the Friends of Dentistry, and served on the School’s Board of Councilors.

Avakian is survived by his wife Cheryl of Palos Verdes Estates, Calif., with whom he raised many beloved Pomeranian dogs. Services are pending.

Recent news

21 Oct 24
Alumni, Faculty
Mulligan, Clark make investment in the USC Mobile Dental Clinic

Their gift is the latest for the Power of 1,000 Campaign, which aims to raise $1 million for the mobile clinic to allow for treatment to even more underserved communities across Southern California. IT WAS AS DENTAL STUDENTS working alongside the late Charlie Goldstein that Roseann Mulligan MS ’87 and Glenn Clark were first inspired […]
16 Oct 24
Research
Ostrow Receives Funding to Dig into Craniofacial Development

Amy Merrill PhD ’04 has recently received an eight-year grant from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR AMY MERRILL is driven by the desire to impact clinical care outcomes — especially for rare diseases. By studying rare diseases in the face and head, she can learn about the normal process of […]
11 Jul 24
Research
Ostrow research team uncovers the underpinnings of head and neck cancers

A new paper published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences shows how an amino acid may hold the secrets of oral cancers. UPPER AERODIGESTIVE SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA is a common and aggressive malignancy — it attacks more than half a million people each year, leaving them battling fatal tumors in the […]
15 May 24
Faculty, Research
A Better Understanding of Tissue Regeneration

Ostrow researchers probe how vasculature impacts stem cell diversity. The new study could lead to better treatments for tissue regeneration. STEM CELLS DON’T exist alone.  They are part of a community, and their local environment — neighboring cells, extracellular matrix, blood vessels and nerves — all provide instructions that tell the stem cells when to […]
09 May 24
Student
Inspired by an Accident

Michael Riley DDS ’24 became fascinated by dentistry following an innocent childhood mishap, but that was just the beginning of his journey.  AT THE AGE OF 5, Michael Riley’s older brother pulled him around the playground in a wagon. The typical childhood revelry ended when Riley’s front teeth encountered a slide, and chaos ensued. An […]
(View All)