(SALT LAKE CITY)--Rena D'Souza, D.D.S., M.S., Ph.D., professor of dentistry and associate vice provost for research at the University of Utah, was honored with the Birnberg Research Medal Award at the Columbia University College of Dental Medicine's 58th Birnberg Research Program held on April 14-15 in New York City.
D'Souza, who in June will become vice president of the International Association for Dental Research, received the award following her Birnberg lecture, "Novel Treatment Strategies for Craniofacial Disorders." During the course of the two-day program, she also discussed career planning and mentorship with students and reflected on highlights of her training and career. D'Souza is internationally known for her research into tooth development and genetics, which she has undertaken for more than two decades.
The Birnberg Award is named for Dr. Frederick Birnberg, who graduated from Columbia's College of Dental & Oral Surgery (now the College of Dental Medicine), in 1915 and helped set up a research fund. School alumni established the Birnberg Award in the 1950s to honor individuals who make important contributions to dentistry through research and mentoring. D'Souza is the 59th recipient of the award.