Charles J. Kowalski, Ph.D., professor of dentistry in the School of Dentistry, will retire from active faculty status on August 31, 2009.

Professor Kowalski received his B.S. degree from Roosevelt University in 1962, his M.S. degree from Michigan State University in 1965, and his Ph.D. degree from the University of Michigan in 1968. He joined the University of Michigan faculty as assistant professor of dentistry in 1968, and was promoted to associate professor in 1971 and professor in 1978.

Professor Kowalski's research focused on the application of statistical methods in dental/oral investigations, longitudinal data analysis, measurement of pain and quality of life, clinical trials, and bioethics. He has published 168 articles and 68 abstracts throughout his career. He was associated with the Statistical Research Laboratory, Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studies, as a consultant from 1968-71 and assistant director from 1971-78, and was a statistician in the Center for Statistical Consultation and Research, Office of the Vice President for Research, from 1991-2009.

Professor Kowalski's teaching focused on health measurement, randomized controlled trials, clinical trials with quality of life outcomes, comparative studies, and monitoring clinical trials. His significant contributions to the University research community include service as a member, chair, and co-chair of the Health Sciences Institutional Review Board. He also served on the accreditation, working group for the Human Research Participant Protection Program, the compliance activities task force, the subcommittee for the Human Research Coordinating Council, and the Clinical Research Infrastructure Taskforce. He assisted in the development of the University's web-based Program for Education and Evaluation of Responsible Research and Scholarship.

The Regents now salute this distinguished teacher and scholar for his dedicated service by naming Charles J. Kowalski professor emeritus of dentistry.