Dr. Gottfried Schmalz, Professor of Operative Dentistry, Department of Operative Dentistry and Periodontology, University of Regensburg, Germany, has been selected the 2007 recipient of the Pulp Biology Research Award from the International Association for Dental Research (IADR), convening here today for its 85th General Session.
Dr. Schmalz is an internationally recognized scholar who has made significant contributions to the field of Pulp Biology, especially through his long-standing program of research on pulp cell behavior in response to dental materials. This program of research has extended over 30 years, during which time he has held many positions of leadership, both within his own academic institutions and within the broader academic and research community. Dr. Schmalz’s contributions have bridged both the basic and clinical sciences, and he has been able to make significant achievements through the clinical application of his work. This is exemplified in his present leadership role as the chair of the ISO Standards Committee on the biological evaluation of dental materials, where he has focused his extensive experience in pulp cell biology on the problems of understanding how best to assess the biocompatibility of dental materials. His contributions to understanding the biocompatibility of materials with the dental tissues, and especially the dental pulp, have resulted in his being one of the prime leaders in this field of research internationally, well-illustrated in his extensive publication record (150 original research papers and many published abstracts, review papers, books, and chapters). Dr. Schmalz has become one of the leading researchers in this area and has contributed to laying the foundations for this field of research. More recently, he has been involved with research on developing exciting experimental models for the study of pulp cell behavior using immortalized cell lines. Professor Schmalz currently holds the position of President-elect of the IADR’s Pulp Biology Research Group.
The IADR Pulp Biology Award is sponsored by L.D. Caulk Dentsply International and consists of a cash prize and plaque. The award recognizes, encourages, and stimulates outstanding research contributions in the field of pulp biology and is one of the Distinguished Scientist Awards conferred annually by the IADR, representing the highest honor the Association can bestow.