Dental Research Groups Elect New Members

Members of the International Association for Dental Research (IADR) and the American Association for Dental Research (AADR) have elected new representatives to serve in 2020. The new members are:

Brian O’Connell, PhD, a professor of restorative dentistry and dean of dental affairs at the Dublin Dental University Hospital at Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland, will serve as IADR vice-president. He has written more than 90 peer-reviewed papers, with more than 4,000 citations. O’Connell’s research has ranged from salivary proteins to gene transfer, dental implants, bruxism, and aging.

Jane A. Weintraub, DDS, MPH, an alumnus distinguished professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Dentistry, has been elected to serve as the AADR vice-president. Weintraub’s research has focused on the epidemiology and prevention of oral conditions and oral health disparities.

Sonia K. Makhija, BA, DDS, MPH, an associate professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Dentistry, will serve as the 2020–2023 AADR representative to the IADR/AADR Publications Committee. She currently serves as assistant director for the South Central Region and director of communications and dissemination for the National Dental Practice-Based Research Network.