University of Utah associate vice provost for research Rena D'Souza, D.D.S., Ph.D., soon will serve in the senior leadership of the International Association for Dental Research (IADR). Members of the IADR elected her to the position of vice president, which will then be followed by three consecutive terms as president-elect, president and immediate past president. " IADR's mission is to promote global oral health care and research. I am humbled by the endorsement I received from members worldwide and greatly honored to serve in this key international office" said D'Souza.
D'Souza brings years of experience to her new post with the IADR. She is a leader in the field of dentistry, heading up an active research program into tooth development and genetics for more than two decades. Before coming to the University of Utah she was director of research in the Department of Orthodontics at the University Of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Dentistry, and chair of the Department of Biomedical Sciences at Baylor College of Dentistry in Dallas. She also is a past president of the American Association for Dental Research.
"It's clear Dr. D'Souza has earned this honor being bestowed up her," said Tom Parks, Ph.D., Vice President for Research for the University of Utah. "I am confident her experience will help the IADR thrive and grow to the benefit of its members."
D'Souza will begin her term as vice president in June 2016 following the IADR General Session in Seoul, South Korea. IADR will celebrate its centennial year in 2019 and D'Souza will be involved in organizing this milestone event. IADR will celebrate its centennial year in 2019 and D'Souza will be involved in organizing this milestone event.