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Dr. Robert J. Hinton - 20 years
Wednesday, November 12, 2003Dr. Robert J. Hinton, associate professor and acting chair of biomedical sciences, joined Baylor College of Dentistry in 1983 as one of a handful of faculty members in what was then the Department of Gross Anatomy.
"We were mostly newly hired, young faculty, and we were housed in the basement in close proximity to the gross anatomy lab," said Hinton. "This had its drawbacks in terms of the smell, but it fostered close camaraderie and generated many good memories."
Hinton still teaches gross anatomy to the dental students and biomedical sciences to the dental hygiene students, and researches growth regulation of the temporomandibular joint. As acting chair of biomedical sciences, he also has recently acquired a new suite of administrative responsibilities.
The change he has noticed the most at BCD has been the combination of small basic science departments such as biochemistry, physiology, microbiology and anatomy into the single, large biomedical sciences department. "This has made teaching and research interactions with other scientists much more frequent," said Hinton.
He appreciates his work environment and co-workers: "We have a very relaxed, collegial department with few cliques or grudges."
Outside of work, Hinton exercises frequently with "spin" classes utilizing stationary bicycles. He reads (mostly fiction), listens to music ranging from folk to rock to jazz to alternate country, and spends time with family. "I have a wonderful wife of 28 years and two lovely daughters, aged 18 and 13, who keep me young!" he said.
Baylor Dental Record is a monthly publication of the Office of Communications & Development, Baylor College of Dentistry of The Texas A&M University System Health Science Center.