Aina M. Auskaps, DDS, DMD, was born in 1921 in Raiskums, Latvia and got a degree specializing in dentistry from Riga University in 1941. In 1945, Dr. Auskaps obtained her DDS from the Dental School of Munich, Germany and then immigrated to the US with her mother during World War II. She was accepted to HSDM in 1952 with advanced standing, graduating in 1955 along with Aina M. Meierovics as the first woman to graduate from HSDM. Flouride and metabolism were amongst the subjects Dr. Auskaps researched during her time at HSDM. Throughout her career, Dr. Auskaps was a research fellow, teacher, and faculty member of the Department of Biochemistry and Nutrition at HSDM. In 1980, she was elected President of the Harvard Dental Alumni Association. Dr. Auskaps practiced general dentistry and had a private practice in Jamaica Plain, MA for 50 years. HSDM recognizes her legacy with the Harvard School of Dental Medicine Fellowship in honor of Aina M. Auskaps, DMD, as part of the Eleanor and Miles Shore Faculty Development Awards Program. The fellowship supports dental medicine and craniofacial biology research.
Watch a 2010 oral history with Auskaps conducted by the Joint Committee on the Status of Women available online via the Center: https://collections.countway.harvard.edu/onview/items/show/6018.