News Release

2005 Wilmer Souder Award

Grant and Award Announcement

International Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research

Baltimore, Maryland...The 2005 Wilmer Souder Award for research in the field of dental biomaterials science is being presented today to Dr. George Eliades, of the University of Athens, Greece.

Dr. Eliades is a qualified and practicing restorative dentist (DDS) who has also received a thorough education in biomaterials chemistry to–and beyond–the academic doctorate level. During the past two decades, he has developed an international reputation for the breadth, depth, and thoroughness of his experimental investigations in dental biomaterials science. He leads a very significant research group in dental biomaterials, based in Athens, and undertakes major international research collaborations. For several years, his research group was based at the Greek National Research Centre for Biomaterials. Since 1999, he has been based at the Dental School of the University of Athens, where he is head of biomaterials research.

Dr. Eliades is the leading international authority on the application of a very wide range of spectroscopic and electron optical methods for the chemical analysis of dental biomaterial surfaces. Among his spectroscopic achievements are outstanding papers on the analysis of coupled setting mechanisms–free-radical polymerization and acid-base reactions in resin-modified glass ionomers. Dr. Eliades has made important contributions to understanding molecular interactions and conformational changes of collagen with dentin-bonding agents. His work is an essential and fundamental counterpart to the electron microscopic analyses of the hybrid layer, which have received so much deserved attention. Dr. Eliades is an authority on the surface analysis of retrieved biomaterials from their in vivo host tissues. He has demonstrated the commonality of protein-precipitation and calcification events across dental implants, prostheses, heart valves, and orthopedic implants.

Dr. Eliades is currently expanding and intensifying his research in dental materials with his establishment and leadership of one of the best-equipped laboratories in Europe and through his insights into real-world problems from his on-going practice of clinical dentistry. A notable feature of his work is the combination of scientific techniques he brings to bear on these problems. These include IR spectroscopic mapping, environmental SEM, and x-ray micro-tomography. He also maintains a high profile of national, European, and international engagement with professional aspects of dental materials science.

Initiated in 1955, the Wilmer Souder Award is the oldest of the IADR's 15 Distinguished Scientist Awards. The award honors Dr. Wilmer Souder, the motivating force in establishing the Dental Section at the National Bureau of Standards (now the National Institute of Standards and Technology), and is designed to perpetuate the scientific ideals he exemplified, and to encourage interest in dental materials science.

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The award is made on the basis of scientific achievement of outstanding quality that has advanced or may reasonably be expected to advance significant dental service to the public. It is intended to confer the highest honor in the field of dental materials research upon those scientists who, through research in this field, bring about outstanding advances in dental health. The award was established by the IADR's Dental Materials Group and is supported by the William T. Sweeney Memorial Fund and the Group. Dr. Eliades received his award during the Opening Ceremonies of the 83rd General Session of the International Association for Dental Research (IADR), convening at the Baltimore Convention Center.


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