Kittiphoj (Sem) Tikkhanarak is a PhD candidate in Oral Science under the mentorship of Dr. Azeez Butali at the University of Iowa. He earned his DDS from Chulalongkorn University in Thailand in 2020 before coming to Iowa for advanced specialty training. He completed his Certificate in Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology at the University of Iowa College of Dentistry in 2026 and is a Diplomate of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology.

His diagnostic and clinical experience with diseases affecting the mouth and jaws sparked his interest in understanding why these diseases develop and what drives their behavior. This curiosity inspired him to pursue research alongside his oral and maxillofacial pathology training, with the goal of translating scientific discoveries into better patient care. His PhD research focuses on ameloblastoma, a locally aggressive jaw tumor that can cause significant destruction and often requires extensive surgery. By studying genetic changes within this tumor, Sem hopes to better understand how ameloblastoma develops and ultimately help pave the way for more effective and less invasive treatments.

Outside of research and pathology, Sem enjoys traveling, exploring new places, and discovering authentic Asian restaurants.