Posted on March 26, 2007 at 10:00 a.m.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Multiple researchers from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) received honors at the recent 85th General Session & Exhibition convention in New Orleans, the International Association for Dental Research (IADR) and its largest division, the American Association for Dental Research (AADR). Awards were presented to researchers across the nation for their contributions to the dental field.

The IADR presented this year’s Honorary Membership to Jiri F. Mestecky, M.D., Ph.D., UAB professor of microbiology and medicine. Mestecky is a mucosal immunologist, recognized widely for his work on the structure and function of antibodies in saliva, and for founding of the international Society for Mucosal Immunology. Mestecky was also the first to demonstrate that the oral cavity is part of the common mucosal immune system. Mestecky has mentored numerous dental scientists at UAB. The award recognizes his scientific contributions to oral and dental research.

Many UAB students were among the 50 in the nation selected by the AADR to receive Bloc Travel Grants from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR). The grant supports travel for U.S. dental students to present their research at the IADR General Session. UAB recipients include: Juan Dong, a postdoctoral trainee in the UAB Genetics Chair office; Ejvis Lamani, graduate student trainee at the UAB School of Dentistry; Kellie D. Smith, a periodontology student assistant at the UAB School of Dentistry; Melissa A. Talbert graduate student trainee in the UAB Pathology Chair Office; and Samuel Wright a second-year dental student at the UAB School of Dentistry.