Alexandria, VA, USA – The International Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research (IADR) has announced Wendy Thompson as the 2026 recipient of the IADR Distinguished Scientist Award in Pharmacology/Therapeutics/Toxicology Research. Thompson, from the University of Manchester, 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 on March 25-28, 2026 in San Diego, CA, USA.
Thompson is a Senior Clinical Lecturer whose academic focus is research on antimicrobial stewardship and teaching lead on primary dental care. She started her undergraduate studies in the University of Warwick, Coventry, UK, where she completed a Bachelor of Science degree with honors in microbiology and microbial technology. After that, she received her B.D.S. with honors and distinction in oral health at the University of Liverpool, UK. She completed her PhD at the University of Leeds, UK on “Antibiotic Prescribing: Towards a Reduction During Urgent Dental Care in England.”
Thompson’s track record of peer-reviewed research is evidenced by an H-index of 16 achieved in the six years since she started publishing, and a research portfolio worth more than US$2.7 million. She is Principal Investigator for several grants, including with Universities of Oxford, UK, Ghana, and Uganda. She is also an active member of the IADR Pharmacology/Therapeutics/Toxicology Research Group, serving as councillor and lead author of IADR’s Policy Statement on Antimicrobial Resistance.
The Pharmacology/Therapeutics/Toxicology Research Award is one of the 17 IADR Distinguished Scientist Awards and is one of the highest honors bestowed by IADR. The Award recognizes outstanding and sustained peer-reviewed research that has contributed to our knowledge of the mechanisms, efficacy, or safety of drugs used in dentistry.
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.
