Alexandria, VA, USA – The International Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research (IADR) has announced Joy Richman as the 2026 recipient of the IADR Distinguished Scientist Award in Craniofacial Biology Research. Richman, from the University of British Columbia, 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 and the 50th Annual Meeting of the Canadian Association for Dental Research (CADR) on March 25-28, 2026 in San Diego, CA, USA.
Richman is Professor and Director of the Graduate Program in Pediatric Dentistry at the University of British Columbia (UBC). Trained as a clinician scientist, she received a DMD degree from the University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada, a diploma in pediatric dentistry, and a Master’s degree in dental science from the University of Connecticut, Mansfield, USA and a PhD degree from the University of London/University College, UK. Richman joined the UBC as an Assistant Professor in 1994 and became Full Professor in 2008.
Richman’s research concentration encompasses the areas of craniofacial and tooth development, especially the molecular mechanisms of cleft lip and jaw identity using chicken as models and recently tooth regeneration using reptiles as a model. She has authored/co-authored 75 peer-reviewed original research articles and 10 review articles. Richman’s impact in the field is reflected by her 75 invited presentations at national and international conferences and peer institutes. Richman has trained 45 graduate students, 16 postdoctoral fellows, and 7 visiting professors/scholars, in addition to dental students and clinical follows.
She has been an Associate Editor for the Journal of Dental Research since 2010, served as CADR Vice President and President, as an IADR North American Regional Board member, and as a reviewer for numerous journals and study sections/grant review committees. In recognition of her professional contributions, among many other awards, Dr. Richman was bestowed with the honour of a Tier I Canadian Research Chair in Craniofacial and Dental Development in 2023 and received a National Dental Research Award for Research and Mentoring from CADR in 2020.
The IADR Distinguished Scientist Award in Craniofacial Biology Research recognizes individuals who have contributed to the body of knowledge in craniofacial biology over a significant period, and whose research contributions have been accepted by the scientific community. It is one of the 17 IADR Distinguished Scientist Awards and is one of the highest honors bestowed by IADR. The award consists of a monetary award and a plaque.
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.
