Alexandria, VA, USA – The International Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research (IADR) has announced Hom-Lay Wang as the 2026 recipient of the IADR Distinguished Scientist Award for Research in Periodontal Disease. Wang, from the University of Michigan, was recognized during the Opening Ceremonies of the 104th General Session of the IADR, which was held in conjunction with the 55th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research (AADOCR) and the 50th Annual Meeting of the Canadian Association for Dental Research on March 25-28, 2026 in San Diego, CA, USA.
Wang has been a tenured professor in the Department of Periodontics and Oral Medicine since 2002 and an Endowed Collegiate Professor of Periodontics at the School of Dentistry, University of Michigan since 2007. After receiving his specialty degree in periodontics in 1987, Wang has been extremely active and prolific in academia. For more than 30 years, he has held the position of Director of Graduate Periodontics, at the School of Dentistry, University of Michigan. He has also been a visiting professor at Taipei Medical University since 2000.
Wang has made significant contributions to the science of periodontology and oral implantology through his extensive publications, teaching, continuing education courses, and invited lectures. He has published numerous systematic reviews on pertinent topics, providing timely and focused clarification of the available evidence. His body of work includes the authorship or co-authorship of three textbooks, over 60 book chapters or invited reviews, more than 880 peer-reviewed articles, and more than 250 abstracts. Wang has received numerous awards, medals and recognitions, including the University of Michigan Best Faculty Award (2003), the Morton L. Perel Annual Award for Dental Implant Educator (2007), the AAP Award for Outstanding Teaching and Mentoring in Periodontics (2010), the ADEA William J. Gies Annual Periodontology Award (2018, 2022), the University of Michigan Distinguished Faculty Research Mentoring Award (2019), and the AADOCR Irwin D. Mandel Distinguished Mentoring Award (2024).
The Research in Periodontal Disease Award is generously supported by Colgate-Palmolive Company. One of the 17 IADR Distinguished Scientist Awards, it is one of the highest honors bestowed by IADR. The award recognizes, encourages, and stimulates outstanding achievements in research and its translation through clinical research in periodontal disease.
About IADR
The International Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research (IADR) is a nonprofit organization with a mission to drive dental, oral, and craniofacial research for health and well-being worldwide. IADR represents the individual scientists, clinician-scientists, dental professionals, and students based in academic, government, non-profit, and private-sector institutions who share our mission. Learn more at www.iadr.org.
