Associate Prof Yakin is an Oral Pathologist, dentist, educator, and researcher with specialist qualifications from the University of Sheffield in England and the University of Otago in New Zealand. He is currently an Associate Professor of Oral Pathology at the Adelaide Dental School with extensive experience in diagnostic oral histopathology, interests in cancer tumour environment and biomarkers, clinical oral and maxillofacial pathology. He is also involved in dental education at the Dental School.

He is a Member of the International Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathologists, the Australian and New Zealand Head & Neck Cancer Society, and the Australian Dental Association.

Associate Prof Yakin has achieved a raft of Awards for his research on biomarkers in odontogenic pathology since 2013 in the US and New Zealand and has been the recipient of numerous grants in Australia. He has held and continues to hold several leadership roles at the University of Adelaide and Charles Sturt University. Most recently, Associate Prof Yakin was elected a Fellow of Pierre Fauchard Academy and the International College of Dentists in recognition of his leadership and contributions to the profession.