Alexandria, VA, USA – The International Association for Dental Research (IADR) announced that John Chiorini is this year’s recipient of the IADR Distinguished Scientist Salivary Research Award. Chiorini, from the National Institutes of Health – National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), Bethesda, Maryland, USA, was recognized during the Opening Ceremonies of the 101st General Session of the IADR, which was held in conjunction with the 9th Meeting of the Latin American Region and the 12th World Congress on Preventive Dentistry, that took place on June 21, 2023, in Bogotá, Colombia.
Chiorini is an Associate Scientific Director and leads the Adeno-Associated Virus Biology Section, Molecular Physiology and Therapeutics Branch of NIDCR. He received his BA in biochemistry and molecular biology from the University of California, Santa Cruz, USA and a PhD in genetics from George Washington University, Washington, D.C., USA. He completed post-doctoral training fellowships on the biology of Adeno-Associated Viruses at the National Institute of General Medical Science and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute at NIH. He joined NIDCR in 1999 and has made significant advances in the development of viral vectors for gene therapy. He is Principal Investigator on the first clinical trial to use adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors for the treatment of radiation damaged salivary glands.
In addition, Chiorini has made advances in the development of potential therapeutic interventions for Sjögren’s syndrome associated xerostomia. He has published over 180 peer-reviewed original research papers and has given invited presentations to IADR and numerous other international conferences on the topics of salivary gland gene therapy and the etiology of Sjögren’s syndrome.
Supported by Unilever Oral Care, the IADR Salivary Research Award was designed to stimulate and recognize outstanding and innovative achievements that have contributed to the basic understanding of the salivary gland structure, secretion, and function, or salivary composition and function. It is one of the 17 IADR Distinguished Scientist Awards and one of the highest honors bestowed by the IADR.
About IADR
The International Association for Dental 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.